Gov. 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.

Perdue will fill the position vacated by Jim Reddoch.

“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,” 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.”

Perdue is a 1973 graduate of Auburn University and has served as Crenshaw County Probate Judge since 2002. Perdue already 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, 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 Gov. Bentley for his support and confidence in me,” Perdue said. “I look forward to building on the progress Commissioner Reddoch and his team have made to improve the department and better serve the citizens who need mental health services in Alabama.”

Perdue’s appointment is effective July 1.