Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Crenshaw County Probate Judge Jim Perdue as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health on Friday.

The position has been vacated by Jim Reddoch, who will retire on June 30, and Perdue’s appointment begins on July 1.

“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.

Perdue currently serves as president of the South Central Alabama Mental Health Board and is a member of the Alabama Mental Health Advisory Board of Trustees.

“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 has made to improve the department and better serve the citizens who need mental health services in Alabama.”