MY CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I started working for Walmart in 1982 at 17 years old, making $3.35 an hour. I was the high school kid making sure shopping carts were kept off the lot so customers could enjoy their shopping experience. Over the years, I worked my way through the management ranks and eventually helped lead Walmart’s growth across Southeast Tennessee, Western North Carolina and North Georgia.
When I came to Chattanooga in 1996, we started with four older, outdated Walmart stores. I was part of the team that helped transition those stores into modern Walmart Supercenters. Today, there are 13 Walmart locations in Hamilton County. My responsibilities included helping identify strategic locations and thinking years ahead about infrastructure, growth and what each community would need 15 or 25 years into the future.
That experience in long-term planning, budgeting and infrastructure prepared me well for serving as your Hamilton County Commissioner over the past four years. On the commission, I’ve put those same practical, business-minded skills to work by helping improve financial oversight, manage growth in unincorporated areas, secure funding for roads and highways, and make county government more transparent and responsive.
My career taught me the importance of planning ahead, listening to the people you serve and making responsible decisions. I’ve carried those lessons with me throughout my first term as your commissioner, and plan to do it again through my second: working to make Hamilton County a stronger place to live, work and raise a family.
MY COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FAMILY BACKGROUND
My wife Denise and I are very involved in multiple charitable activities in Hamilton County. We believe in getting up every day and serving our community in some way. Among the many organizations we have supported, I'm honored to have served with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office over the past 20 years as a patrol reservist. I've also supported Erlanger's efforts to get the Kennedy Children's Outpatient Center built and supported our business community through the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors. I've given time to other causes and organizations that are critical in our community like United Way, the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and Salvation Army.
Throughout my four years as your commissioner, Denise and I have continued this commitment to giving back to our community, it's truly our passion. You'll find us at church every weekend, and when we have time, we like taking road trips to visit extended family.
Over the years, we've had the privilege of getting to know so many of you!
“Giving back to our community is truly our passion.”
