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.

Will Craft joined MDOT in 2018 after serving on Senator Thad Cochran’s and Senator Hyde Smith’s staffs. Beginning in the Government Affairs role at MDOT, Will assisted executive leadership in matters of policy, stakeholder engagement, legislative affairs, and external communications. Since joining the Public Affairs team in 2023, Will is most often recognized as one of the “podcast guys”. The Award Winning Extra Mile Podcast is hosted by Will and Paul Katool, and produced by Drew Hall.

Anna Ehrgott is an award-winning public relations professional with more than 15 years of experience in the public sector. She currently serves as a public information officer at the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and covers Mississippi’s Southern Transportation District. In this role, she works with media outlets to share news about MDOT projects and encourage safe driving practices. For the past four years, she has worked to inform the public about hurricane evacuation routes and hurricane preparation. Her previous work includes serving as communications director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, various roles with Mississippi Development Authority, the Public Employees’ Retirement System and in Hurricane Katrina recovery. She earned a master’s degree in public relations from Mississippi College and a bachelor’s degree in English from Millsaps College. Anna lives in Jackson with her husband and two children.

Drew Hall is a media producer with experience in video production and journalism. He currently works in the Public Affairs Division of the Mississippi Department of Transportation, where he shoots and edits a range of content, including producing the award-winning podcast The Extra Mile. Drew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mississippi State University and has received industry recognition, including an AASHTO Best Audio Production Award. Previously, Drew worked as a photojournalist for News Channel 12 and Fox 40 News, developing his skills in visual storytelling and news production. Drew is married to Courtney Ann Hall, of Corinth, MS, and has one son, Jackson.