Core value: Connecting the unconnected – “My life’s purpose statement is ‘Connecting people to something larger than themselves’ which I have had the opportunity to be part of throughout my life both personally and professionally. We continue to make that happen each day at esp!”
Craig Portwood is a Daytona Beach, FL native who has lived in Milledgeville, GA, since 2009. His Exercise Science and Kinesiology undergraduate degree is from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. He completed his master’s in Health Services Administration from the University of Central Florida. He has over 29 years of experience in not-for-profit organizations ranging from secondary education to local churches and higher education.
He began his professional career at his alma mater, Mainland High School, in Daytona Beach as a nationally certified and state-licensed athletic trainer while serving as an educator. Craig was the Department Chair for Health and Physical Education and the founder of the Sports Science Academy at that school. He was heavily involved with the Athletic Trainers’ Association of Florida, serving in educational and leadership roles.
He transitioned into ministry in 2003 as a youth pastor at a large church in Ormond Beach, FL. He moved to Northridge Christian Church in Milledgeville in 2009, serving as the Chief Operating Officer and teaching pastor. He then served as the Lead Pastor at Pathfinders Christian Church in Milledgeville on an interim basis. While impacting church communities, he developed strong relationships with local organizations, schools, and neighborhood organizations to serve residents and leaders.
In 2018, Craig joined the Georgia Military College team. He was the Associate Vice President of Alumni and Main Campus Operations as a fundraiser, leading programming and institution-wide event management efforts. He is a professional communicator who continues to speak at community events and was the voice for all major ceremonies at GMC. Craig is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) through CFRE International, the industry standard certification for fundraising professionals.
Craig and his wife Dana have been married since 1994. She is the Branch Manager for the local public libraries in Baldwin County as part of the Middle Georgia Regional Library system. They have three adult children: Lindsay (and her husband Griffin), Bailey, and Olive.
His esp Why: “My esp Why is wrapped into everything we do to create a community where all abilities are celebrated. It’s in these moments of coming together face-to-face that we see the beautiful humanity in one another and can truly begin to support and understand our total community.”
