I graduated from McDowell High School in 1978. In 1982, I graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and completed graduate and post-graduate work at Appalachian State University and the University of Tennessee completing studies in Public Management.

My time at ASU and UT included teaching undergraduate classes in Public Administration and State and Local Government. I have always enjoyed teaching and have continued to teach part-time over the years at ASU and community colleges including classes in Leadership, Public Budgeting and Management. My goal in teaching was always to balance the value of academics and theory with the practical application of “real world” experience. At times academics dismiss practitioners and practitioners will often dismiss academic study. Both have value.

I published or co-published six articles dealing with topics ranging from local government service delivery to the practice of economic development. Three of the six articles were “Peer Review” and three were in professional publications. A highlight of my career was managing to publish an article on the consolidation of local government services in Public Administration Quarterly.

I worked in local government management in McDowell County for over thirty years and enjoyed working for the County Commissioners to provide quality services, construct new schools and complete improvements such as extending water and sewer lines, building industrial parks and constructing county facilities such as the jail, the senior center and the Universal Advanced Manufacturing facility.

I am pleased to serve on the McDowell County Board of Education representing the Nebo District. I am also most pleased to have raised twin boys that are pursuing their individual careers and to be married to Victoria. I enjoy compiling the history of older homes in Marion and working at the Historic Carson House.

It is a tremendous honor to serve on the School Board in what many would agree are challenging times.