Craig Nash Carter grew up in Whiting, Indiana. After high school, he enlisted on active duty in the US Air Force and served a tour in the Vietnam conflict. After release from active duty, he completed a doctor of veterinary medicine degree at Texas A&M University. After graduation, he started a general practice and began working in the diagnostic laboratory at Texas A&M. One of his job responsibilities was to lead the development of a large scale veterinary laboratory information system. Next, he completed a M.S. in epidemiology and a Ph.D. in veterinary public health.

He is currently director of the veterinary diagnostic laboratory and a professor of epidemiology in the College of Agriculture, Food, and the Environment at the University of Kentucky. In that role, he enjoys guiding daily and future operations of the laboratory, conducting research, and mentoring graduate students.

After his active duty service and veterinary training, Carter received a commission and continued his military career in the US Air Force as a reserve Environmental Health Officer and in the US Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer and Commander. His reserve career took him around the world on humanitarian missions and combat support deployments. Today, he is still active as a civilian international veterinary consultant.

He and his wife Ronda live on a small farm near Lexington, Kentucky, with their beloved German Shepherd dog.