Here's What You Need to Know About Me.

What do I love?

  I love God, my family and this country (including Marion County!)

I start my mornings in prayer and I share my devotions with my wife, my kids and my co-workers.  

And I truly believe we need God back in our daily lives.

I’ve been married to my beautiful wife, Suzanne, for 12 years and we actually met in Junior High.  

Together we have 4 children and 2 grandchildren and I can honestly say, one of my favorite roles is as their "Lar Bear." 

I’m a proud Tennessee native and moved to Marion County in 2018.  This is home and I’m here to stay.  

I love the people, the laid-back lifestyle, the opportunities, the nature and the small-town feel with access to big-town amenities. 

I have spent the last 19 years as President & CEO of a 110-year old global trade association called TAPPI (Technical Association for Pulp & Paper Industries.) When I joined them, they were near bankruptcy (lost $24 million over 11 years.)  

I wondered what I’d gotten myself into! 

I'm proud to say, by hiring a great team and working together, the organziation now has $33 million in reserves.

Why am I running for Marion County Mayor?

The Marion County Mayor is the CEO of the County – I've got deep experience as the CEO of a global organization.

As I’ve gotten engaged in the county, the lack of transparency – in budgets, policy decisions, back-door dealings -- astounds me. 

I’m not one to complain unless I’m willing to do something about it.  We need new leadership.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. To get the county back on track, we need a new approach – new ideas, new processes, and a new commitment to doing what is right.

I revitalized a failing global organization by digging deep, collaborating with people who knew what they were doing, creating an environment where diverse ideas were welcomed and encouraged, eliminating projects and people who didn’t add value, providing the leadership needed to move forward and, in everything, operated transparently.  

I will bring that skill set and experience to the County.

Since moving to Marion County, I've volunteered with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, the Jasper HIghlands Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, and was the local lead for Pray4TN.