The Distinguished Alumnus Award is given to an alumnus of GMC who has distinguished him/herself in their profession in an outstanding manner, and in so doing has brought honor upon themselves and to GMC. This award is presented for service to humanity and dedication, which have fostered the ideals of GMC.
Mr. Craig attended GMC High School beginning in 1961 and graduating in 1965. He then went on to earn his associates degree from GMC Junior College, graduating in 1967. He was a Ranger graduate and a Leadership Academy graduate, as well as the yearbook editor in 1967. Upon graduation from GMC, Mr. Craig was commissioned as an Armored Cavalry Officer and went on to serve in the Army from 1968 to 1988. Mr. Craig served in the Vietnam War in 1972, flying an electronic warfare aircraft, where he totaled 360 combat hours. He served in Europe as an electronic Warfare Officer, as well as several assignments across the United States. He received multiple awards and decorations before retiring at the rank of Major in 1988. Mr. Craig then went on to be a pilot and pilot instructor for Continental Airlines from 1988 to 2008. He retired as Assistant Chief Pilot for B757/B767 Domestic and International Operations.
In 2012, Mr. Craig was elected as Baldwin County Commissioner and currently serves as Vice Chairman. He was selected as a Member of the Board of Managers for the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and has since been appointed to the Executive Committee of ACCG and appointed as Chairman of the Mental Health Committee of ACCG. Mr. Craig was the recipient of the ACCG Leadership Award in 2016 and the ACCG Legislative Leadership Advocacy Award in 2019. He was also the recipient of the “Larry Huggins” Award from the Georgia Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission and was featured in Georgia Trend Magazine in May of 2019 as “One of Six County Commissioners Who Make Lives Better.”
As County Commissioner, Mr. Craig has made great strides for a cause he is passionate about, providing proper care for the mentally ill. From 2011 to 2017, Mr. Craig was appointed to the Georgia Traumatic Brain and Spinal Injury Trust Fund Commission first by Governor Perdue and then by Governor Deal. Then in 2017, he was appointed to the Rural Hospital Stabilization Committee. His past community engagements include his involvement in the Fall Line Freeway Developmental Authority and the Keep Milledgeville & Baldwin County Beautiful Affiliate. He is currently making an instrumental impact with his involvement as County Commissioner on multiple committees with particular focus on mental health in the local community. Mr. Craig’s commitment of selfless service to both his country and his community are immeasurable. His leadership in both capacities have made and will continue to make a lasting difference in the community.
Mr. Craig’s commitment to this community and his family are evident in his passionate support of the GMC William Craig Scholarship in his brother’s memory. His leadership in the annual Pheasant Shoot and his advocacy for this family scholarship is tremendous. This reflects his lifelong passion for making a difference in the lives of others and his deep desire to see his brother’s legacy at GMC continue into the future. This is truly an endeavor of honor and reflects his character and commitment. Mr. Craig and his wife, Celia, who are both lifelong residents of Milledgeville, have two children, Katrina and Jay, and four grandchildren, Emily, Alyssa, Erin and Craig.