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.

Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill: Robyn Tannehill was elected Oxford, Mississippi’s 36th Mayor on June 6, 2017. Upon graduating from the University of Mississippi in 1992, Robyn worked in the University of Mississippi’s Department of Public Relations before being named Assistant Director of the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Foundation. Then, as Executive Director of the Oxford Tourism Council, she promoted Oxford as a tourism destination. Robyn led her team in conceiving, organizing and conducting the first annual Double Decker Arts Festival. That tourism team went on to be named the State of Mississippi’s “Most Outstanding Convention and Visitors Bureau” with a budget of $500,000. In 1998, Robyn made the decision to become a full-time mother and community volunteer. In those years, Robyn spent many hours working with the Oxford School District’s Parent Teacher Organizations and volunteering in the school district. In 2011 she co-chaired the $30 million bond referendum campaign for the Oxford Public School District. That same year, Robyn was recognized as Oxford School District’s Citizen of the Year. Her years of committed community service led Robyn to run for, and win election as, Alderman of Ward 2 in Oxford in 2013.