Keith L. Craig

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Keith L. Craig
Nickname(s)	Smooth
Born	(1969-11-29) November 29, 1969 (age 52) Mobile, Alabama, United States
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1987–2016
Rank	Sergeant Major, US Army
Battles/wars	Invasion of Iraq, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Response, Operation Enduring Freedom
Awards	Legion of Merit Bronze Star(3) Meritorious Service Medal (3) Army Commendation Medal (4) Army Achievement Medal (4)

Keith L. Craig^[1] is an entertainment executive working in Burbank, California, at Walt Disney Studios managing Central Division theatrical sales and distribution for Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in 20 theatrical demographic market areas, and is part of the team who worked on the execution of the distribution strategy for all titles including Marvel, Lucasfilm, Pixar, etc. It was that overall strategy that led Disney to an industry domestic record of $3.7billion in 2019, propelled by Avengers: Endgame ($858.3M),The Lion King ($543.6M), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ($515.2M) among many other franchise titles, as well as setting previous $3 billion annual domestic B.O. records two previous times including 2018.Craig's theatrical distribution career at Disney also includes him booking the Oscar-winning movie COCO, as well as Black Panther who was nominated for seven Academy Awards winning three.

Prior to his current engagements, Keith L. Craig served 32 years in the US Army, retiring as the 12th Senior Enlisted Advisor, Sergeant Major to the commander and the exchange CEO, of the Army & Air Force Exchange Service for Europe and Southwest Asia Region. His time in service took him around the world traveling to over 50 countries where he served in six combat tours, conducted humanitarian, natural disaster, and peace keeping missions while also playing professional football.

Current Career[]

Keith currently manages Central Division sales and distribution strategy for the Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures in 20 theatrical demographic market areas, ensuring the prompt and timely delivery of film to exhibitors and the accuracy of the box office reports.

In addition to his primary duties at Disney, Craig is president of the company's diversity resource group Salute, charged with supporting military veterans employed by the studio, helping them integrate, strengthen and grow their careers and provide a sense of community within the organization.

Craig also has a management company, The Formation Entertainment Group, a firm dedicated to connecting, supporting and facilitating talent from diverse and underrepresented communities in their entertainment careers. He is also the co-owner of the Granville Restaurant in Pasadena, Ca.^[2]

Early Life[]

A native of Mobile, Alabama,^[3] born to Patricia Dock, he attended Vigor High School and graduated from Choctaw County High School, Butler, Alabama, class of 1987. He entered the United States Army on 21 June 1987.

Military Career[]

Craig is a combat veteran of the Invasion of Iraq, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Unified Response, and Operation Enduring Freedom.^[1]

The exchange at the time was the 47th largest retail organization in the U.S. with annual revenue of $10B, employing more than 43,000 civilians on military installations throughout the 50 states, five U.S. territories, and more than 30 countries. In Europe, the Middle East, Central and Southwest Asia, the exchange employed an additional 6,500 civilians spread out over 1,100 facilities in 21 countries.

Craig served as the liaison between the exchange leadership and 500,000 soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines, DOD civilians, and authorized patrons. Craig was the ambassador of the exchange in Europe & Southwest Asia Region, providing essential support to war fighters, enhancing expeditionary capabilities, and interacting with highest strategic levels within the Department of Defense and the U.S. State Department

In Operation Enduring Freedom,^[4] Craig served as Support Operation Sergeant Major for Sustainment Brigade providing direct supply support and Services to American and coalition forces operating in the Afghanistan theater.

During his assignment to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, 7th Special Troop Battalion,^[5] he deployed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Operation Unified Response, in support of multinational humanitarian assistance. Craig coordinated disaster relief efforts with the (United States Agency for International Development) and the World Food Programme to deliver 13,703 tons of rice and provided 17 million prepared meals, to 2.98 million Haitians at the request of the World Food Program. He was recognized for his improving project planning and performance through the coordinated deployment of automated systems and innovative management methodologies.

Craig was chiefly a key liaison between command leadership and on-the-ground operations personnel, and provided direct support and advising to the commander of more than 3,000 active-duty personnel unit. Tasked with ensuring mission sustainment, clean and clear interfacing between primary and support units, overseeing the planning and execution of distribution, support and service operations to field operations.

While assigned to United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas, Craig served as education advisor, small group leader, and operations sergeant major. He was responsible for the planning and execution of administrative and logistical support for 1,700 students, including daily senior advisor training, tasking and scheduling of workforce of 130 individuals, and the assessment and appropriate assignment of personnel based on dynamic individual performance evaluation.

In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Craig served as first sergeant in the 302nd Military Intelligence BN, at Camp Anaconda, Iraq and at Camp Doha, Kuwait.

While assigned to Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Camp Pieria, Germany, Craig served as section chief assigned to 3/32nd FA Battalion, served as supply sergeant, which saw him managing administration, security, intelligence, training, tactical operations and logistics as well as $2 billion in organizational equipment, and developed an array of processes and procedures to support implementation of the commander's directives on mission and soldier support.

Other leadership positions held include platoon sergeant, G3 Operations non-commissioned officer for the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) , and Special Troops Battalion S-4, non-commissioned officer in charge.

Deployed as part of a multinational peacekeeping Kaposvar, Hungary, Operation Joint Endeavor, Craig was assigned to the 3rd Logistic Support Command, Unit Supply NCOIC Brigade S-4 NCOIC, 205th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States) Brigade.

Education[]

Master of Business Administration Craig has successfully completed:^[6]

• Defense Reutilization Marketing Course
• Equal Opportunity Leader Course
• German CSC^{[clarification needed]}
• Primary Leadership Development Course
• Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course
• Advance Noncommissioned Officer Course
• Unit and Organization Supply Course
• Action Officer Development Course
• Manager Development Course
• Maintenance Supervisor Course
• Unit Movement Officer Course
• Counter Terrorism Analysis
• Sergeants Major Course (Class 57)^[7]
• Support Operations Course (Phase I)
• Support Operations Course (Phase II)
• Master Logistician Certification by Army Logistics University & Society of Logistics Enterprise
• Joint Logistics Course
• Lean Six Sigma-Green Belt Certification.

Craig is a logistical engineer by the North Carolina Department of Labor, and earned a Baccalaureate Degree (Psychology) from Excelsior College in Albany, New York.^[8]

Awards[]

SGM Craig has earned 52 awards and decorations.^[1] They include:

	Legion of Merit
	Bronze Star Medal with two Oak Leaf clusters (Third award)
	Meritorious Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf clusters
	Army Commendation Medal with one silver leaf clusters
	Army Achievement Medal with one silver oak leaf cluster
	Meritorious Unit Commendation
	Superior Unit Award
	Army Good Conduct Medal Ninth awards
	National Defense Service Medal with two service star
	Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
	Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
	Iraq Campaign Medal with two campaign stars
	Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
	Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
	Armed Forces Service Medal with two service stars
	Humanitarian Service Medal
	NCO Professional Development with award numeral 4
	Army Service Ribbon
	Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 7
	NATO Medal

Craig has been recognized as a distinguished member of the Quartermaster Regiment and awarded the coveted Distinguished Order of Saint Martin Medallion as well as the Prestigious Order of Saint Christopher.

Football Career[]

Craig is a former professional football player whose career spanned over a decade. He is a six-time NFL Europe/GFL champion.

Continental Sports Conference[]

Wiesbaden Flyers In 1989, Craig played for the Wiesbaden Flyers and competed in the USAFE's Continental Sports Conference from 1989-1990 and in 1993. In 1990, while playing for the Wiesbaden flyers he was described as the "premier receiver in the league" by Stars and Stripes (newspaper).^[9]

Rheinmain Rockets In 1993, while playing for Rheinmain Rockets, Craig was named Continental Sports Conference All-conference wide receiver, and voted Most Valuable Player of the championship game. He also set conference receiving records with 83 catches for 1,260 yards and 12 touchdowns.^[10]

Frankfurt Galaxy[]

In May 1991, Craig was scouted by John Ralston,^[11] who was head coach of the Denver Broncos from 1972 to 1976. From 1991-92, Craig played professional football for the Frankfurt Galaxy (NFL Europe) under head coach Jack Elway and general manager Oliver Luck,^[12] former Athletic Director of West Virginia University and father of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and retired NFL quarterback of the Houston Oilers (1982–1986).

German Football League[]

Craig played for several teams including the Aschaffenburg Stallions, Rüsselsheim Razorbacks, and Hanau Hawks, winning two Southern Division Championships with Aschaffenburg Stallions and three with Russelsheim Razorbacks. In 1994, he was the League's leading scorer for the Rüsselsheim Razorbacks scoring 24 touch downs. He also played one season in France for the Nancy Tigers.

References[]