Craig J. Huch was born into an Air Force family and began a nomadic life, eventually attending 13 different schools.  Craig graduated in 1967 from High School in Izmir, Turkey, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Air Force.  He then enrolled in the Georgia Institute of Technology.  As a "Ramblin Wreck", Craig graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Biology, now most closely related to Bioengineering.  Having been honored as a Distinguished Military Graduate in Army ROTC, Craig was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and sent to Infantry Officer Training at Fort Benning, GA.  Craig was then assigned to a training Headquarters in Germany and his first Company Command.  After over 3 years in Germany, Craig was sent to the Armament Maintenance Officer Course at Aberdeen, MD and then the Airborne School at Fort Benning, GA.  Craig then reported to the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, WA and 2 additional Company Commands.  In 1995, Craig retired from the Army as a Multi-Functional Logistics Officer.  While assigned to Fort Lewis, Craig received a call from his father, Oliver Huch (PER Gulfport Lodge #978).  Craig's father reported that he had found his "Home" in the Elks.

 

After the military, Craig spent 5 years as a Skydiving Instructor and then over 13 years doing background investigations for security clearances for the federal government and the Department of Defense.  Craig has been a firearms Instructor for almost 40 years, a Scuba Instructor and Private Pilot.   

In 1995, Craig was initiated into the Gulfport Elks Lodge #978.  Craig served as Chaplain and Lecturing Knight for several years before being elected Exalted Ruler in 2002, almost 20 years after his father.  Craig was elected Vice-President South in 2015.  In 2017, Craig became State President with an agenda featuring Charitable Activities Reporting to let the citizens of Mississippi know what the Elks provide to their communities.

 

Craig was involved in the Elks Hoop Shoot for several years before being asked to be the State Hoop Director in 2014.  In 2017, Craig took over as State Veterans Chairman for the state after the sudden death of the previous Chairman. Craig has been very involved in raising funds for the Elks National Foundation and keeping Mississippi among the states with the highest per member donations in the Order.  In 2020, Craig was honored to receive the Charlie Duffie Award, given to the Mississippi Elk "Who exemplifies excellence in Elkdom on a state level".

 

In 2014, Craig was appointed District Deputy South and was honored to be elected the Grand Loyal Knight of the Order in July 2021.  In July 2023, Craig was appointed the Mississippi State Elks Special Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler.

 

Craig wants to continue supporting the Mississippi Elks and to...