I've lived a total of 35 years in Hamilton County.
During my term as Criminal Court Clerk, I would focus on restoring the automated calculation of court costs to ensure consistent accuracy and provide near real-time accounts receivable reporting.
I would also oversee the documentation of all operational procedures to create clear, standardized guidance that supports staff efficiency, continuity, and training.
Another important objective is developing a proactive plan to manage Chattanooga City Court case files should that court ever be dissolved. While the city previously scanned archived files, they are not part of a searchable database. This creates challenges when agencies such as Homeland Security conduct background checks that may reach back decades to verify case dispositions.
I bring over 20 years of experience in the court system, including service in six court units and seven years working under four Criminal Court Clerks. This breadth of experience has given me a comprehensive understanding of court operations, and the leadership required to maintain accuracy, efficiency, and public trust.
In Hamilton County Criminal Sessions Court, I served as the subject matter expert on court cost calculations and authored the manual that guided software changes to automatically generate cost bills which improved accuracy and increased collections. Throughout my career, I also developed procedural manuals for grand jury processing, new employee training, and appellate filings to strengthen consistency.
I bring proven experience building reliable systems, improving processes, and equipping staff to perform at a high level, preparing me to serve effectively as Criminal Court Clerk.
Since 1961, when as a 3 year old boy, I was left on South Seminole Dr. in East Ridge. Rev. Billy Dean and his wife Jo adopted me and I grew up in the house next door to the one I now call home, which I purchased and moved into it around 40 years ago.
It is always a challenge to bring all judges in our system onboard with the technology that is available. Even when our office is ready to move forward with technology, we must convince all 8 judges to buy into the same technological advances. Having 8 individuals to agree to any one concept can always be challenging.
I have held this office since 2014. You must prove yourself to be a fiscally responsible leader. I have consistently remained within my budget and increased our revenues each year. I also have a lifetime of leadership from being a police supervisor, to Mayor of East Ridge, to State Representative and now this office. I have a proven record of leadership that is unsurpassed.
I have lived in Hamilton County 61 years.
The greatest anticipated challenge presenting with the Criminal Court Clerks Office will be to stabilize the accuracy, and location(s) of all court records and filings, accurate and timely court entries, along with strict tracking and transparent collection and recovery of court fines and cost.
Because of my 17 year work performance and courtroom experience, with the Criminal and General Sessions Court Clerks Office, I am the most qualified candidate to lead this office to the next level of efficiency, quality management and compliance. The Judges, Lawyers and people of Hamilton County deserve the representing Clerk of this office to effectively work as efficiently and supportively and with as much integrity and accountability as possible.
