Background

As Senior Deputy, Jim Craig assists in the oversight of agency operations and works closely with the state legislature on health and safety policies.

In addition, Jim serves as the Emergency Coordinating Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, assigned to the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to coordinate the ESF-8 (Emergency Support Function 8 – Health and Medical) response under the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan of Mississippi. Jim also serves as the Chairman of the Local Governments Rural Water Systems Improvement Board which provides low interest and emergency loans to support safe drinking water in Mississippi.

Prior to his position as Senior Deputy, Jim served as Director of Health Protection, as the agency's first director of the Office of Emergency Planning and Response, and as State Emergency Medical Services Director.

Jim has been in emergency response and working natural and man-made disasters for over 45 years in Louisiana and Mississippi. He has led the state public health response to over 60 activations of the State Emergency Operations Center, including Hurricane Katrina – the worst natural disaster ever recorded in Mississippi – the New Horizon Oil Spill, the historic 2011 Mississippi river flooding, and the City of Jackson water crisis.

Jim received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology/Occupational Safety from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and his Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Jackson State University. He holds a Certificate in Public Management from the Mississippi State Personnel Board, is a Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional, and a Certified Healthcare Safety Professional. He is also a member of the Mississippi Public Health Association.