MONTGOMERY—Governor Robert Bentley on Friday announced the appointment of Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Perdue as the new commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Judge Perdue will fill the position vacated by Jim Reddoch, who resigned to return to retirement on June 30.

“Judge Jim Perdue has been a dedicated public servant to the citizens of Crenshaw County for 12 years, and he will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to serve the consumers of mental health services,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “We have made significant progress in the treatment for those who have mental illness, intellectual disability and substance abuse disorders in Alabama. Jim Perdue will continue to promote these efforts and work with department staff to support families and consumers of mental health services.”

Jim Perdue is a 1973 graduate of Auburn University and has served as Crenshaw County Probate Judge since 2002. Actively involved in his community, Perdue serves on a number of local boards and commissions including: Luverne Rotary Club, Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce, Crenshaw County Industrial Development Board, Alabama Oilmen’s Association, Alabama Private Industry Council, South Central Alabama Development Commission and the South Alabama Home Builders Association.

Perdue currently serves as President of South Central Alabama Mental Health Board and is a member of the Alabama Mental Health Advisory Board of Trustees. In both positions, Judge Perdue helped lead the board transition of patients in institutional care to community-based settings for treatment and support.

“I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve as the next Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health, and I thank Governor Bentley for his support and confidence in me,” Judge Jim Perdue said. “I look forward to building on the progress Commissioner Reddoch and his team has made to improve the department and better serve the citizens who need mental health services in Alabama.”

Outgoing commissioner Jim Reddoch has had experience in nearly every area of mental health services in the state. Prior to his retirement, Reddoch was director of the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility in Tuscaloosa from 2000 to 2009. During his tenure at Taylor Hardin, Reddoch was also designated as an assistant attorney general for the State of Alabama. Before serving as director of Taylor Hardin, Reddoch was the director of Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa from 1992 to 2000. He was also a deputy commissioner for the Department of Mental Health from 1988 to 1992.

Reddoch served as executive director of Indian Rivers Mental Health Center prior to being appointed commissioner in 2012.

“Jim Reddoch has been a loyal member of my team, and has devoted his career to serving consumers in the mental health community,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “He came out of retirement to lead the department’s effort three years ago to transition patients out of an institutional-based setting and back into communities where they could be near family and friends. Jim also led the opening of the new state-of-the-art Bryce Hospital, which is a national model for providing the latest in patient care. We will miss Jim, but wish him all the best as he returns to retirement.”

“I appreciate Governor Robert Bentley giving me the opportunity to serve as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health since 2012. Throughout my career, I have always been passionate about the care of those individuals who suffer from mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders. I greatly appreciate the dedication and hard work of the staff at the Department of Mental Health. Together, we have made tremendous progress in moving our consumers into a more modern, community-based care network. I know significant strides will continue to be made by those dedicated caregivers around the State who work untiringly to provide excellent care and treatment to our consumers,” Reddoch said.

Perdue’s appointment is effective July 1.