Knox County is at a crossroads. Rapid growth without serious planning strains our roads, overcrowds our schools, and stretches public safety. When leaders approve development without a long term infrastructure plan, taxpayers are left paying the bill.
I am running because growth must pay for itself. New development should address its infrastructure costs up front, not pass them on to working families. County government must return to fiscal discipline, transparency, and measurable accountability.
Knox County is a great place to live. That is why people want to move here. Growth is not the problem. Irresponsible planning is. There are developers who will be willing to work with us and if they don't then they don't build.
My background has prepared me to serve through military discipline, education, and real world experience. I served in the Civil Engineering Squadron in the United States Air Force, where I learned the importance of infrastructure planning, accountability, and mission focused decision making. I earned a BBA from King University, graduating Magna Cum Laude, which strengthened my understanding of budgeting, management, and fiscal responsibility. As a husband and father in Knox County, I have a personal stake in responsible growth, strong schools, and public safety. I will bring integrity, preparation, and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars to every vote.
The core responsibility of a County Commissioner is stewardship of taxpayer dollars and long term planning for the community. That means setting responsible budgets, evaluating programs for measurable results, and ensuring essential services such as roads, schools, and public safety are properly funded and sustainable. Commissioners must provide oversight, ask hard questions before committing public money, and ensure growth does not create unfunded obligations. They must also represent their constituents faithfully, remain accessible, and make decisions based on facts rather than politics. We must distinguish between wants and true needs when allocating taxpayer dollars. The taxpayer should be PRIORITY ONE!
I believe successful leadership requires steadiness, humility, and the willingness to do the hard work behind the scenes. I am not impulsive, and I do not chase headlines. I take time to study the details, listen carefully, and weigh long term consequences before making decisions. I am comfortable asking difficult questions and standing firm when something is not fiscally responsible. I value transparency and believe elected officials should be accessible and accountable to the people they represent. Most importantly, I approach public service with a long term mindset and a commitment to doing what is right, even when it is not the easiest path. I am also willing to admit when I am wrong, correct mistakes, and move forward with integrity.
If elected, my top three priorities will be strengthening core services, responsible growth, and fiscal discipline. First, I will ensure essential county responsibilities such as roads, schools, and public safety are properly funded and sustainable. Second, I will require new development to address its infrastructure impact up front so taxpayers are not left subsidizing expansion. Third, I will promote disciplined budgeting by reviewing programs carefully, avoiding unfunded obligations, and planning for long term financial stability. My guiding principle is simple: protect taxpayers and govern with accountability.
Voters should remember that I am the only candidate for Seat 10 not aligned with developers or supportive of raising taxes. I believe growth must pay for itself. If developers want to build, they should fund the roads, utilities, schools, and infrastructure their projects require so those costs do not fall on taxpayers. I am the only candidate who has clearly stated I will not raise taxes. My commitment is simple: protect taxpayers, strengthen core services, and plan responsibly. I will approach every vote with independence and careful analysis. I want my two boys to grow up in a Knox County that keeps its character. I will also hold informal meetings across the county so residents can speak face to face without having to travel at night.
I am running for office for the reason that it is an obligation to step up as a local citizen during a time when both the tension and stakes of American politics are at an all-time high. I chose to go for the county commission position because it is important that everyone has someone out there that is willing to listen. Even having just one or two people that are able to fill this role and comment on genuine issues helps them work towards resolutions and makes them feel like they are truly representing the county.
While I lack the exact background compared to career politicians, I believe I make up for that with some of the skills I gained throughout day-to-day life. I am able to communicate with all types of people, even if they do not agree with me, along with applying myself to unfamiliar tasks and remaining resilient in the heat of the moment. Additionally, my participation in community service has helped me learn valuable skills in terms of leadership, problem solving, and compassion. I believe that as I continue to gain more experience and talk with more people every day, these strengths will only become even more notable.
I believe the core responsibility of any member elected to serve the county commission is to put their citizens first and foremost. The most effective way of achieving this is to approach them with open arms and be ready to get them involved with the voting process. Local leaders have to be willing to listen, ready to cooperate and to be proactive in implementing resolutions in order to start creating an impact. Most importantly, they must remain consistently transparent in how they are operating in their position, as running the risk of disconnecting the voters on any scale otherwise will have the public be a lot more skeptical of your true intentions as time passes.
The qualities needed to hold an office like this tie greatly into my background due to what I have picked up over the years. For one, I have an ability to reach out to other offices when necessary, and, when discussing policy, come to fair conclusions with differentiating parties without overwhelmingly compromising. I fully understand that my combined background and experience make me a much different candidate than others on the ballot, which only means I have to show off these qualities now more than ever to prove what I can bring to the table. I am ambitious, committed, open-minded, and resilient, but I would rather let my actions do the talking than my words.
The biggest issues I see present in Knox County are a lack of affordability, accountability, and accessibility. Despite all the challenges set in place, I want the county to be one where housing is both available and affordable, a county where its citizens are able to trust the local government to put them first instead of special interests or themselves, and one where citizens are free to move around Knox County the way they want to safely. While these are not all the things that should have a focus, achieving the above are crucial steps to creating a place where our current and future generations can thrive.
I want the people to understand that, like every other citizen of this county, whether you’re in Knoxville or in the surrounding rural areas, I am still somebody that sees the same faults and goes through the same struggles as everyone else does living here. While I do not have the powerful connections or the instant backing of financial loyalists, I am still someone that is willing to try to make the county a better place. In all honesty, I am always ready to learn new things by going through this process one day at a time, and that mindset is one that should occupy any seat in the local office.
I’m running for Knox County Commission At-Large because I love this community, and I believe county government should work for every resident in every neighborhood.
County decisions affect our daily lives more than most people realize: our roads and infrastructure, public safety, development and zoning, school funding, and how our tax dollars are spent. I’m stepping forward because I want to make sure those decisions are made with taxpayers' best interest in mind, common sense, and compassion.
My background has given me a unique blend of real-world business experience and a deep understanding of county government, and that combination is exactly what this office needs.
For years, I have worked as a:
- Small business owner
- Entrepreneur
- Real estate broker
- And for the last 7.5 years, a public servant in county government.
Each of these roles has prepared me in a different but important way. All of these experiences together have prepared me to serve on the Knox County Commission At-Large with practical knowledge, problem-solving skills, good stewardship, and a real commitment to the residents of Knox County.
A Knox County Commissioner has a simple but serious job: to represent the people, manage public resources wisely, and help shape the future of our county in a responsible way.
Here’s how I see the core responsibilities:
1. Representing the people
2. Managing tax dollars responsibly
3.Setting local policy and making informed decisions.
4.Overseeing growth, development, and infrastructure. Land use, zoning, and development decisions.
5.Commissioners help support the structures that keep communities strong, including: Law enforcement, first responders, and emergency services.
6. Keeping open and honest dialogue with the taxpayers by engaging with the community through public meetings.
I believe good government starts with character. The most important things I bring to this office are not just my experience, but my values and how I treat people. My desire to leave Knox County better for my grandchildren and your family allows me to strive for excellence through service.
- Strong Work Ethic
- Good listener & Communicator
- Problem-solving mindset
-Practical real-world experience
-Unwavering life-long commitment of service
1. Community – Protecting the character of our neighborhoods, supporting our
schools, churches, and small businesses, and making sure residents are heard and respected.
2. Opportunity – Promoting smart growth, good jobs, and responsible development so our children and grandchildren can afford to live, work, and raise their families here.
3. Public Safety – Standing firmly with law enforcement, first responders, and victims, and making sure they have the tools and support they need to keep our community safe.
I’m running for Knox County Commission At-Large to be a common-sense, accessible voice for taxpayers. I bring real experience as a small business owner, realtor, and 7.5-year county employee, so I understand how government decisions affect everyday families and businesses. I will guard your tax dollars, focus on core services like public safety, roads, and small-business support and education, and bring an unmatched work ethic. I’ll listen, be available, and always put the interests of Knox County residents first. I am just like you, a wife, mother, grandmother who wants to keep Knox County a safe and thriving place to raise our families for many, many years to come.
I am running to stop the largest property tax increase in the history of Knox County and to restore fiscal responsibility. Families will not be able to afford endless tax hikes driven by a growing debt crisis and unchecked borrowing. We must stop using debt to cover routine expenses and protect taxpayers from paying more for less. At the same time, we need to fix our abysmal road upkeep and prioritize core services. I will fight for disciplined budgeting, transparent government, and responsible long-term planning that protects both current residents and future generations.
My service as Chairman of Knox County Parks and Recreation, a member of the Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals, and the Farragut Municipal Planning Commission has given me direct experience in budgeting, growth, and responsible development. I have served as a Certified Financial Planner for 35 years and an accountant for 48 years. As a former small business owner for 15 years and an AARP and VITA tax preparer, I understand finances from views of small business, rich and poor, and young or old and will bring disciplined, fiscally responsible leadership to Knox County.
The core responsibilities are to safeguard taxpayer dollars, adopt responsible budgets, and provide oversight of county government. That means prioritizing essential services like roads, schools, and public safety while limiting debt and unnecessary spending. A commissioner must also ensure transparency, thoughtful planning, and accountability in every vote. Above all, the role is to represent all residents and all political parties, listen carefully, and make decisions that protect both current families and future generations here in Big Orange Country.
I bring financial expertise, proven leadership, and a record of public service. With decades of experience as a Certified Financial Planner and accountant, I understand budgets, debt, and long-term planning. I ask tough questions, study the details, and make decisions based on facts—not politics. My experience in county boards and commissions has taught me how to listen, collaborate, and stay focused on results. I am steady, accessible, and committed to serving every resident with integrity and accountability.
First, restoring fiscal discipline—ending reckless borrowing, controlling spending, and preventing unnecessary and exorbitant property tax increases.
Second, fixing our infrastructure by prioritizing road funding and creating a dedicated, protected road fund so tax dollars meant for roads are actually used for roads.
Third, responsible growth planning—ensuring development pays its fair share, protecting neighborhoods, and making sure county services keep pace without overburdening taxpayers.
Voters should remember three things about me:
First, I have the experience. With decades as a Certified Financial Planner, accountant, small business owner, and county board leader, I understand budgets and responsible decision-making.
Second, I will fight to protect taxpayers by addressing our debt, controlling spending, and opposing unnecessary and exorbitant tax increases.
Third, I am focused on core services—better roads, responsible growth, and transparent government that works for every resident of Knox County.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve.
Knox County is home to incredible people, and I believe every resident deserves a government that sees them, hears them, and works for them. As a pastor, counselor, and mother of four, my life has been built around service. I've sat with people in their hardest moments and celebrated their greatest triumphs. That's why I'm running — not for a title, but because I genuinely love this community and believe we can do better together. Knox County has given so much to so many. It's time to give back — and to ensure future generations inherit something even greater than what we received.
I've spent my career in the business of people. As a mental health and substance abuse counselor, I helped individuals rebuild their lives. As a pastor with a Doctor of Ministry, I lead with both compassion and wisdom. As a mother of four, I know what's at stake for Knox County families. I've worked across divides, held space for the hurting, and advocated for the overlooked. Public service isn't new to me. I'm ready to bring that same commitment to Knox County Commission.
At its core, this office exists to serve the people of Knox County — all of them. That means being accessible and accountable, not just at election time but every day. It means making fiscally responsible decisions that reflect our community's values and priorities. It means listening before legislating — understanding how policy affects real families before casting a vote. And it means having the courage to do what's right even when it's hard. I believe a commissioner should be a bridge-builder, a truth-teller, and above all, a leader worthy of the public trust.
Empathy, wisdom, and integrity. I've spent decades navigating complex, high-stakes situations — in counseling rooms, in congregations, and in communities. I know how to build consensus without compromising my values. My education and lived experience give me the analytical tools to understand policy and the human tools to understand its impact. I'm a proven communicator who can speak truth across divides without losing the room. And I bring something increasingly rare to public life — the ability to disagree with someone and still fight for them. That's who Knox County needs at the table.
My top three priorities: fully funded public schools, affordable housing, and smart infrastructure. Every child deserves a well-resourced classroom, and every teacher deserves to teach without reaching into their own pockets. Every essential worker deserves to live in the community they serve. And every development decision should be made with a plan — considering safety, traffic, flooding, and real community need. Knox County deserves leadership that thinks ahead, not leadership that plays catch-up. I'm committed to getting it right the first time.
The main points I want voters to remember about me and my candidacy are simple: I’m committed, approachable, and results-driven. My life of service — as a counselor, pastor and mother — guide me to serve with integrity, fairness, and compassion. I want to make local government work for everyone—supporting our schools, our first responders, and our families—while addressing the real issues that affect everyday life in Knox County. I am dedicated to listening to constituents, working collaboratively, and making decisions that strengthen our community now and for the future.
