Jackson Free Press

Grady Griffin has his work cut out for him. As director of education and training for the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, Griffin, 39, is the man in charge of providing restaurant owners with support and information during the water crisis this week.

Griffin is using technology to inform businesses about Department of Health guidelines regarding regulations for water use. "Whether it's been with phone calls, e-mail blast or twitter, we have been getting out current information to our members," Griffin says.

He has also been visiting restaurants to demonstrate water-boiling procedures and safety guidelines. Griffin says is biggest concern is the financial hit many area restaurants have faced since closing their doors four days ago.

"Financially, this could be more devastating than Hurricane Katrina," he says. "2009 was the worst year financially for restaurants since the association has kept to date. ... Some businesses may not recover and could shut down. It's going to be a tough recovery and we need the metro area's support. We need people dining out in the immediate future."

Griffin is a Jackson native who grew up in the restaurant industry. His first job was bussing tables at the now-closed Iron Horse Grill and he spent several years after college managing various restaurants. In 2007 Griffin joined the MHRA to work with restaurants facing difficult times. He currently lives in northeast Jackson with his wife and two young boys.

He says the water crisis hasn't been an easy time but it has been a valuable learning experience.

"Helping people is what we do. We are only as successful as our members," he says.

See the JFP's thread of who is open or closed for business.