Craig Mullins
President & Principal Consultant, Mullins Consulting, Inc.
Sugar Land, Texas, USA
This piece is part of the 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframers series.
For Craig Mullins, influence is built through consistency.
With more than three decades of experience in mainframe and database systems, Mullins has helped shape how organizations understand and manage Db2 for z/OS. His career spans roles from programmer and database administrator to educator, analyst, and consultant, giving him a perspective grounded in both theory and real-world application.
That perspective is most widely recognized through his writing.
Mullins is the author of numerous books, articles, and blog posts, including the best-selling Db2 Developer’s Guide, long considered a foundational resource for database professionals. His work has helped generations of DBAs and developers build practical expertise in areas such as SQL performance, database design, and system optimization. Over time, his writing has become not just educational, but essential reading for those working in the Db2 ecosystem.
But his influence extends beyond the page.
Mullins remains an active speaker and contributor to the global mainframe community, presenting at events such as IDUG and participating in industry discussions through blogs, podcasts, and publications. His ability to translate complex technical topics into clear, actionable insight continues to make his work relevant to both experienced practitioners and those earlier in their careers.
A defining characteristic of Mullins’s career is his ability to evolve alongside the technology.
From early mainframe-centric systems to today’s hybrid and cloud-connected environments, he has consistently adapted his focus while maintaining a clear message about the enduring value of Db2 and IBM Z. His advocacy for modernization emphasizes integration rather than replacement, helping organizations understand how to extend existing systems while adopting new capabilities.
Recognition has followed that impact. Mullins has been named an IBM Gold Consultant for Db2 and an IBM Champion for Data & AI, reflecting both his technical expertise and his ongoing contributions to the community.
At the same time, his influence remains deeply personal.
Through decades of writing, speaking, and engagement, Mullins has helped shape individual careers as much as enterprise systems. His work continues to serve as a bridge between foundational knowledge and modern practice, ensuring that expertise is passed forward as the ecosystem evolves.
As the industry continues to navigate change, that kind of continuity matters.
As a 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframer, Craig Mullins continues to define what it means to learn, apply, and advance Db2 in a modern enterprise world.
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