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Craig Ray
Director,
Mississippi Development Authority, Tourism Division
PO Box 849
Jackson, MS 39205

For Media Inquires, Contact:

Steve Martin, Public Relations Manager
Mississippi Development Authority, Tourism Division
smartin@mississippi.org, (601) 359-3297

A recognized leader and visionary in the field of the hospitality industry, D. Craig Ray has provided inspired leadership for the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority since accepting his position in 2004. Craig brings over 15 years experience in progressively challenging positions, encompassing strategic, operational, sales and marketing skills across business and political organizations.

Craig is a member of the following Board of Directors; South East Tourism Society, Travel Industry Association, Mississippi Travel Association, and is also the Treasurer for Travel South USA. In addition, he is the Vice Chairman of the Mississippi Blues Commission. As a board member he continues to put his leadership and vision to work for the tourism industry.

Previously Craig served as Senior Advisor and Deputy Executive Director of Inauguration Activities to the Governor Barbour campaign. He is not new to politics, however, as he worked for both Bush Administrations. From 2001 – 2003 he served as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Advance for Event Coordination, a capacity that allowed him to plan, organize, and oversee the success of all local and international official Presidential travel events. Craig served in this same capacity under President George H. Bush as Lead Advance Representative from 1990-1993, spanning a total of 10 years in Washington D.C.

With an annual budget of $9.5 million, the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Development Division promotes Mississippi as a destination for business and leisure travel. It operates the state’s Welcome Centers includes the Mississippi Film Office and manages the Mississippi Hometown Retirement Program. The 80-person staff markets the state to group and consumer travelers domestically and internationally by working with tour operators, travel planners and meeting planners; assisting communities with tourism development; assisting consumers with information; conducting industry research; and promoting the state through worldwide media.

Craig graduated from the University of Mississippi with a BA in Business Administration. He is an avid tennis player and is a certified USPTA Tennis Professional instructor.