Blount County does not need another legislator. It needs an executive.

Legislative bodies are designed to debate, vote, and set policy. The County Mayor’s office is different. It is responsible for managing people, overseeing operations, executing budgets, and delivering results every single day.

That distinction matters.

I have spent more than 40 years in roles where the responsibility did not end with a vote. It began with execution. From the classroom to senior leadership in Maryville City Schools, I have led teams, managed personnel, navigated complex challenges, and delivered measurable outcomes. Most recently, I have helped oversee a $55 million capital project, the largest in the City of Maryville’s history.

Rooted in Small Business

My understanding of leadership began long before my career in education.

I grew up in a locally owned small business, Coulter’s Florist, which has served Blount County since 1896 and remains the oldest continuously operating business in our county. I learned early what it means to make payroll, work within a budget, serve customers well, and carry responsibility not only for yourself, but for the people who depend on you.

My family still owns and operates that business today.

That experience shaped how I lead: practical, accountable, and focused on results.

Executive Leadership That Delivers

This role requires someone who understands how to:

• Manage large organizations and budgets

• Lead people and build strong teams

• Make decisions with real-world consequences

• Follow through from planning to execution

I will lead this office with discipline, accountability, and operational focus. Not as a figurehead, and not as a legislator, but as a chief executive responsible for results.

Public safety is a core responsibility of county government, and it must be approached with both strength and respect for how our system is structured.

Respect for the Sheriff’s Role

The Sheriff of Blount County is elected by the people to oversee the day to day operations of county law enforcement. That authority is clear, and it must be respected.

This reflects a fundamental principle of good government: law enforcement authority is accountable directly to the people and should not be unnecessarily centralized in a single office.

As County Mayor, I will:

• Support our Sheriff’s Office and all first responders

• Help ensure they have the resources and infrastructure needed to serve effectively

• Work collaboratively while respecting the operational independence of the Sheriff’s Office

A Broader Commitment to Public Safety

Public safety also includes:

• Emergency preparedness and response

• Court and judicial system support

• Infrastructure that enables rapid response times

Blount County should remain a place where people feel safe, supported, and confident in those who serve and protect our community.

Strong public schools are one of the greatest assets any community can have. In Blount County, they are foundational to our future.

A Lifetime in Public Education

We are served by three public school systems supported by dedicated educators, strong leadership, and engaged communities.

Public education has been my life’s work.

As County Mayor, I will:

• Work closely with all three school systems

• Support responsible, strategic investment

• Advocate for long-term planning tied to growth

• Help ensure county decisions reflect the needs of students, teachers, and families

This reflects a core principle of local government: the people closest to our schools are best positioned to support and strengthen them.

Workforce Readiness Through Strong Schools

Growth and education are directly connected. When we fail to plan, our schools feel the impact first.

We must ensure that enrollment, facilities, and resources keep pace with development so our schools remain strong and our workforce remains competitive.

When our schools are strong, our community is stronger.

Growth is happening now. The question is whether we plan for it or continue reacting after the fact.

Coordinated Planning Across Jurisdictions

Today, growth decisions are too often made in separate silos.

As County Mayor, I will bring together:

• Blount County Government

• The City of Maryville

• The City of Alcoa

• The Town of Louisville

• Townsend, Friendsville, and Rockford

• All three school systems

• The business community through the Blount County Chamber

This should be a formal, ongoing process, not a one-time conversation.

Each entity will retain its own authority. This is coordination, not control.

This reflects a sound governing principle: decisions should remain as local as possible, while coordination should occur wherever impacts are shared.

Planning Before Growth Happens

Without coordination:

• Infrastructure falls behind

• Schools become overcrowded

• Taxpayers absorb avoidable costs

We must ensure infrastructure is planned before development and that decisions reflect the real capacity of our community.

Responsible Growth

Responsible growth respects private property rights while also recognizing the responsibility to plan wisely.

Growth should strengthen Blount County, not strain it.

Blount County’s economy is built on locally owned businesses, established employers, and a community that supports both.

Supporting Local Business

Having grown up in a family-owned business, I understand firsthand what it takes to operate, meet payroll, and adapt to changing conditions.

As County Mayor, I will:

• Support small and locally owned businesses

• Encourage a stable and predictable environment for business growth

• Reduce unnecessary barriers where county government can do so responsibly

• Work with economic partners to support job creation and long-term opportunity

Government’s role is to create the conditions for success, not to control outcomes.

Long-Term Economic Strength

I will work collaboratively with:

• The Chamber of Commerce

• The Industrial Development Board

• Tourism partners

That collaboration should help ensure economic growth is aligned with infrastructure, workforce capacity, and long-term sustainability.

Blount County’s natural beauty and quality of life are central to both our identity and our economy.

Protecting What Makes Blount County Special

Our parks, public spaces, and proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains are major assets that must be preserved and protected.

As County Mayor, I will:

• Support responsible investment in parks and recreation

• Help ensure tourism growth is aligned with infrastructure capacity

• Protect the character and livability of our communities

Tourism as an Economic Driver

Tourism plays a vital role in our local economy.

We must ensure that:

• Tourism is managed responsibly

• Infrastructure can support visitor activity

• Residents are not negatively affected by unmanaged growth

This is about balance: supporting economic opportunity while protecting the quality of life that makes Blount County such a special place to live.