I have found that it makes more sense to bring all of my "projects" under one umbrella website...kind of a one-stop shopping of sorts. From my political pursuits to capitalistic endeavors to "save the world" adventures, this website should cover what you are looking for.
The Firm, an Image Management Company
In 2001, I started my own Image Management Company called "The Firm". Since my background is in PR and Marketing, I decided to go out on my own and tackle the projects I wanted to tackle. Always a political junkie, my first project was for Michael O'Brien's run for State Representative in Dupage County Illinois. He had many of the great qualities of someone who I had looked up to since youth...Ronald Reagan. Since then, my clientele has ranged from political to business to governments, but for me the key to who I chose to work with revolves around integrity and purpose. Money is great, but I refuse to sell my soul to the highest bidder.
In a nutshell, my job is to find that "something extra" in your business plan or project that reaches out to the target market and then take it to the next level via advertising, press releases, public appearances, marketing material and public relations. My job is to make you stand above your competition. Click Here if you want more information.
TennesseeVacationHomes.NET
Your ultimate source for buying, selling, renting or building a Vacation Home in Southeast TN. www.tennesseevacationhomes.net for more details.
TennesseMountainLand.NET
Land, land, land. As the formidable, supply-side economist Arthur Laffer says, the best way to stop the bleeding is to take your money our of the market and put it into raw, unencumbered land. www.tennesseemountainland.net to see what is available in my version of paradise.
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Mountain Music Mafia Booking Agency
Yes, I am a music groupie. And since I am not getting my "fix" from Tubbys anymore, I try to keep abreast of great local and regional musicians in my free time. From Bluegrass to Christian Metal, we have an incredible stable of musicians right here on and around this mountain. If you need entertainment for an event, give me a holler along with a genre and a budget and we will make it work. Whether it be background music, dancing music or "front and center" personality entertainment...we have it all around these parts. Click Here
OHV4TN - Citizen Lobbyist Organization
My initial introduction to the off-road problem occurred when I was running for state representative in 2006. As a candidate you must learn the issues that are important to the hearts of your constituents. Besides the usual Jobs, Infrastructure and Education issues, the quality of life problems came to the forefront. A "crisis" was occurring locally for Off-Roaders who were seeing the land that they have used for generations being eaten up by developers coming into the area. I was so impressed by my local guys, the "Damn Locals" 4x4 Club, and the passionate voice of their President Steve Melton, that I had no choice but to sit up and take notice.
After further research, I realized that this was also a state and nationwide issue. Thank goodness for groups such as SFWDA, UFWDA, Blue Ribbon Coalition, NOHVCC (I am a now an Assc. State Rep for TN) and others who blaze the trail.
So in 2007, I was hired by SFWDA to find a way to move the 2004 TN Off Highway Vehicle Act forward towards its original intent...a statewide system of sustainable OHV trails. It was definitely a learning year and one that fueled my desire to continue the efforts as well as expand the overall strategy to include forming a statewide OHV organization and an effective Citizen Lobbyist crew who were passionate about the politics of change for off-roaders.
For more information go to www.OHV4TN.org and sign the guestbook. That will put you on the update list!
TOHVA - Tennessee Off-Highway Vehicle Association
The state organization is now up and running! Elections were in November 2008 and the new leadership team is a good one. www.tohva.org for more information. I am the Legislative Chairman for TOHVA.
SFWDA - Rescue Tellico
At a recent SFWDA quarterly meeting in Tracy City, a separate subcommittee was formed to address the impending anti-OHV litigation at Tellico. For those of you unfamiliar with the area, The Upper Tellico ORV Area is located between Tellico Plains, TN & Murphy, NC. Tellico ORV Area is famous for being some of the best offroading in the country. Tellico OHV is home to some great off road events such as the Appalachian Jeep Jamboree, Great Smokey Mountain Venture, Dixie Run, and more...
The consequences of a successful anti-OHV litigation at Tellico are far-reaching. A foothold into "legal precedence" will jeopardize OHV trails across the country. This is definitely a "line in the sand" issue for the entire OHV community. Go to www.sfwda.org for more information.
NOHVCC - Assc. State Rep
Thru my involvement with the OHV4TN project, I was asked to become an Assc. State Rep for NOHVCC (National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council). I am both thrilled and honored to be involved with this organization.
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American Hiking Society
In 2006, I was fortunate enough to be named an Ambassador to the American Hiking Society. It is probably because they figured I represent a population of people who are "never to old to learn" about the joys of hiking. Since I live in a hiking Mecca, it was only natural that I learn about what we have to offer...and I became hooked. Thanks to Jeffrey Hunter at AHS and his gently persistent granola wisdom!
Although I am no longer actively involved in this program due to time constraints, I highly recommend becoming involved in any of the below trail groups or just enjoy what our area has to offer. It is supremely gorgeous here on the plateau!
Click Here for info on our own trails on the South Cumberland Plateau
Click Here for info on the Mountain Goat Trail (Sewanee to Monteagle)
Click Here for info on the Marion County Greenways and Trails project
Click Here for Southern Appalachian Initiatives info
Kiwanis Club of South Cumberland
In 2007, thanks to the perseverance of Holt Cason and Bob Brinkmann, we formed our local club. I graciously accepted the charter presidency and the team we had on board to kick this thing off was a dream come true. Now, two years later, we have a new president, a new Key Club and great new projects. I really like where we are going.
I am currently serving as Kiwanis Key Club Advisor for our new High School leadership organization. Great group of kids! This has probably been one of my most rewarding projects.
www.kiwanissc.org for more details.
"Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time."
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Grundy County Republican Party
On Saturday, January 17th, 2009, the Grundy County Republican Party held their Reorganization Convention and elected the following people to the 2009-11 leadership team:
Chairman – Iva Michelle Russell
Vice Chairman – Scott Pilkington Jr.
Secretary – Jim Waller
Treasurer – Marianne Waller
Vice Treasurer – Alf Adams
Finance Chairman – Matt Pilcher
Precinct Chairman – Chuck Clabber
Publicity Chairman – Jennifer Parmley
Immediate Past Chairman – Ted Smith
District 14 State Executive Committeeman – Betty King
District 14 State Executive Committeeman – Reuben Watkins
New Chairman Address:
“I am very honored to be serving as county chairman this term, especially with such an accomplished leadership team. Due to the efforts of so many conservatives across the state, we now have an historic opportunity to build our party locally due to the shifting power structure in state politics and the historic presidential vote in Grundy County. With the new majority status in the state General Assembly, we were able to elect three Republican Constitutional Officers as well as receive a majority status on all 95 Election Commissions. I am confident that our people will lead the way in preserving and expanding gun rights, pro-small business legislation and shedding the light on back-room deals that have greatly hurt the state of Tennessee and the citizens who pay the price.
As a conservative Republican, I strongly believe in the philosophies’ of Ronald Reagan: Less government, less taxes and personal responsibility…especially fiscal responsibility. In a down economy, it is more important than ever to find qualified candidates who understand how to run budgets and to make every dollar count. We will also be looking for candidates that understand the need to educate our children for the jobs of the future and to give them every opportunity to succeed in life. We have many challenges ahead in our county, including infrastructure and job creation, I am confident that we will find candidates with the heart and soul to come up with solutions and to work in a non-partisan way with everyone in our community. I respect every individual and their right to choose a party that fits their belief structure. Our job will be to educate and motivate Grundy County voters to get involved in the process, and if we do our job right, vote for our candidates because they are the most qualified to represent the needs of our people.
As always, I will rely heavily on our people with military and first responder backgrounds. They understand honor codes, work ethic and a team approach to any situation. I am very thankful that my new leadership team has several members that fit this description and I look forward to finding candidates with the same convictions.
In closing, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our Immediate Past President Ted Smith for his unwavering vision and belief structure. Great leaders learn from the mistakes and successes of the past in order to build and shape a brighter future. They must also have conviction of purpose. Ted Smith is one of those leaders. In the words of Winston Churchill “Never, never, never give up”. Thank you again for this opportunity. I look forward to serving you.”
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Citizen Politico - An American Citizen who knows enough to be dangerous and Idealistic enough to believe in a common truth.
"Cherish, therefore, the spirit of our people, and keep alive their attention. Do not be too severe upon their errors, but reclaim them by enlightening them. If once they become inattentive to the public affairs, you and I, and Congress, and Assemblies, Judges, and Governors, shall all become wolves."
-- Thomas Jefferson (letter to Edward Carrington, 16 January 1787)
Being from a "bi-political" family (mother, Grundy County Democrat, father, Fentress County Republican and Veteran), I was fortunate enough to be raised in a house filled with spirited political discussions during every election. I turned 18 only a couple of weeks before the '80 Presidential election, so my biggest disappointment that year was not being able to finally vote. But that didn't stop me from getting caught up in the Reagan Revolution and boy, that feeling never left me. Somewhere out there is a picture of my college pals and I with a big '84 Reagan Bush sign in front of our PAC house, just a bunch of radical conservative students believing that there was a bright future ahead of us because of a man called Ronald Reagan. That '84 sign hangs in my office today, a reminder to never forget those youthful ideologies.
Working in politics is kind of like visiting your favorite restaurant and getting a peek at what goes on in the kitchen. Sometimes you really don't like what you see or even stomach the results. From all indicators, we are one step away from losing the conservative battle and falling into the bigger government trap that apathy and, in my opinion, laziness has gotten us into. We can't have it both ways. Either you are in control of your life, or government is. Our founding fathers never envisioned nor approved of the kind of all-encompassing, bloated government structure that we live in today. They were freedom fighters throwing off the shackles of government oppression when they signed the Declaration of Independence and fought the great battle for sovereignty. Maybe it's time to become freedom fighters again. I'm in!
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