People ask me, “how did you become interested in local government?”.
There isn’t a short answer, but rather a story that tells how every experience and every person in my life inspired me to get involved. And it starts with my roots…
Growing up the daughter of two working-class, devout Christian parents on 120 acres of fourth-generation farmland grounded me in faith, family, and hard work.
My childhood centered on believing and trusting in God first and foremost, working hard for what you need and want, learning how to use your gifts to help others and take care of your family, and loving your neighbor.
I had the upbringing that everyone deserves, but many do not experience and that is not lost on me. My parents simply wanted me and my sister to have a good life…and that is what I want for my boys and for everyone.
I grew up within a village of family and friends who farmed for “fun” and “fellowship” and shared everything that the land produced with others. Through these simple acts of kindness, I learned the value of hard work and the importance of living in a community.
At 15, I got my first job. With the support of my family and friends, I was able to balance work, multiple extracurricular activities, and academics successfully graduating high school with an Advanced Diploma. I competed and earned a Junior Miss academic college scholarship to the University of Alabama in Huntsville where I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration focusing on Marketing and Health Care Administration. During college, I worked 2, sometimes 3 part-time jobs, while maintaining my studies, leading campus tours, and serving as a volunteer through my sorority for Girl Scouts of America.
In 1996, I married the love of my life, Russ, a Knoxville native and dedicated public servant. Our shared family values, love of country, commitment to hard work, and desire to live a life of ‘service above self’ brought us together and it keeps us inspired to this day.
Russ has been an active and honored volunteer and medical care provider in our community since the age of 16. The son of Farragut Intermediate’s founding principal, he is the President of his medical group, serves as a Major with the 134th Air Refueling Wing leading a Critical Care Air Transport Team, served 25 years as the Knox County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team tactical physician, is a past board member for the Knox County E-911 Board and Fire and Technical Rescue Committee, has dedicated thousands of volunteer hours as a previous Chief of Knox County Rescue, and travels the globe as a Field Trainer in war torn areas with Global Surgical Medical Support group.
Together, we have the incredible blessing of shepherding two sons, Jackson & Maddox, both students at the University of Tennessee where they are pursuing degrees in neuroscience and architecture. When they are not studying or leading worship in their Christian Fraternity or on campus, they are performing with their up-and-coming indie rock band, The Band Solstice.
Over the past 29 years, Knox County has been so good to us and our family!
It has provided incredible job opportunities, exceptional education, beautiful & fun recreation, deep friendships, and countless ways to embrace the Volunteer Spirit. I have had the privilege of working as the Executive Director for a local rehabilitation company, the Human Resources Director for a Knoxville based global entertainment lighting company, a consultant for non-profit development and personnel management, created a small jewelry design business, organized numerous community groups, served or led multiple boards, committees, focus & stakeholder groups, served as a panelist in land use and planning discussion groups, was selected as an emerging leader by the Community Action Committee, was chosen as Vice-Chair of the Knox County Government Ethics Committee, and am currently finishing my first 4 year term as an At Large Knox County Commissioner and Vice Chair. (see experience and achievements)
Thanks to these opportunities and conservative fiscal planning, I was able to focus all my attention on our boys and their upbringing. When they began elementary school, I threw myself into supporting their teachers and their school, and the entire school community. It was during this time, that I had my first real, personal encounter with local government…I was unable to eat with my child in the school cafeteria due to “overcapacity” enrollment. This was my first realization that the decisions made on the local level impacted me and my family in big ways, and in small ways, and in ways that I had never even imagined. After years of research and countless conversations with county departments, school and government officials, community leaders, and parents, I committed myself to bring awareness to the needs and visions of not just my community, but every community.
Fast forward, today I am representing all of Knox County as your At Large Knox County Commissioner and hope to be your next Knox County Mayor.
My faith and my family reinforce my passion to keep seeking outcomes that better our communities. I want our boys and the next generation to embrace and experience the same quality of life that shaped my life and Russ’ life. That is why I want to be your Knox County Mayor.
I will always put people and community first…this will forever be my story.
