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.

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.

Matt Dugas, P.E., is the State Maintenance Engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), a position he officially assumed in February 2025 after serving as Interim since November 2024. A civil engineering graduate of Mississippi State University (Class of 2006), Dugas began his career with MDOT as an engineer-in-training in the Mendenhall Project Office and has since built more than 18 years of dedicated service across the agency. His career progression includes roles as Assistant Maintenance Engineer and later Maintenance Engineer for District 7, where he oversaw maintenance operations in southwest Mississippi, before advancing to Assistant State Maintenance Engineer at MDOT headquarters. In his current leadership role, Dugas oversees the department’s statewide maintenance division, including routine operations and emergency response efforts.