Paul Katool joined the Mississippi Department of Transportation Public Affairs Division in 2016 as the agency’s first Social Media Strategist. In 2019, he was promoted to Digital Media Manager, where he led the creation of MDOT’s nationally award-winning Extra Mile Podcast. In 2022, Paul assumed the role of Deputy Director of Public Affairs, which includes helping to run the day-to-day operations of the division.

Ben Cohen has served as Chief Information Officer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) since 2014. He began his career with MDOT in 2001 as a software developer supporting the agency’s financial system. After nine years, he transitioned into a project management role, leading a team responsible for software support across the financial and fleet management systems. As CIO, Cohen has led the Information Systems Division with a focus on advancing mobile application development, enhancing field data collection capabilities, expanding business intelligence and reporting, and strengthening workforce development initiatives. More recently, the division has begun exploring the application of artificial intelligence to improve operational efficiency, decision-making, and service delivery, while also leading an effort to modernize MDOT’s financial platform for project cost accounting. Under his leadership, the division supports a wide range of mission-critical systems, a colocated data center environment, and a statewide traffic network of more than 1,000 cameras. Cohen holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from Mississippi College (2006) and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Southern Mississippi (2001).

Drew Hall is an award-winning media producer with the Mississippi Department of Transportation, bringing more than 15 years of experience in video production, photojournalism, podcasting, and public affairs communications. A graduate of Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and an emphasis in Broadcasting, Drew began his career in television news as a photojournalist, working for WDBD Fox 40 and WJTV News Channel 12 in Jackson. During nearly 11 years in broadcast news, he covered breaking news, feature stories, and live events throughout Mississippi while developing the ability to tell compelling visual stories under tight deadlines. Drew joined MDOT in 2019, where his work has expanded from video production and photography to strategic communications, multimedia campaigns, podcast production, and production leadership. He serves as the producer and editor of The Extra Mile, MDOT’s podcast featuring conversations with transportation leaders, engineers, policymakers, and other voices connected to Mississippi’s transportation system. His work has received recognition from organizations including the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Public Relations Association of Mississippi (PRAM), and the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). His honors include awards for The Extra Mile, “Don’t Trash Mississippi,” “I-269: Five Years of Economic Boom,” and MDOT Remembers Hurricane Katrina. In his current role, Drew oversees photographer scheduling and production logistics, helps manage the division’s digital media assets and archiving systems, and coordinates drone compliance and operations. He is an Adobe Certified Professional in Digital Video using Premiere Pro and an FAA-licensed remote pilot. Drew’s passion is using video, photography, audio, and storytelling to make complex subjects accessible, connect organizations with their audiences, and showcase the people and stories behind Mississippi’s transportation system.

Michael Flood is a Public Information Officer at MDOT. In addition to being the Central District PIO, he has covered the Southern District and was the assistant to former Commissioner Dick Hall during his final term. In addition to covering the media and construction and maintenance projects across Central Mississippi, Mike serves as a liaison between the Public Affairs Division and Commissioner Willie Simmons’ office. He started his career with MDOT in 2010 after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi.