After the December 15, 2014 deadline for submitting resumes and letters of intent, nine individuals have indicated they have an interest in being appointed to the Knox County Commission Fifth District seat until the 2016 election. Here is the link to Screams From the Porch with this link to the resumes and letters.
Tamara Boyer, the sole female applicant is currently with US Bank. She has intensive banking and financial experience with multiple financial institutions. In addition, she is a lawyer having served as General Counsel to Vanderbilt Mortgage and Finance, Inc in the 1990’s.
J. Kelly Clancy a Realtor and Community Activist with service organizations like the Jaycees. He and his wife are members of First Farragut United Methodist Church where he continues to serve in many different capacities. Clancy served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Clancy has been endorsed with letters of support from Knox County residents, William Mallison, Rhonda Vineyard and Richard Green.
David Freeman, he has been Director of Capital Resource Partners since 1999. He has extensive experience in logistics and transportation having served as President and CEO of Transportation Services, Inc. Freeman has served with community service organizations like the Rotary Club, he has also been an active member of the Chamber of Commerce.
Ken Gross, a Director of Safety and Risk Management with Ameresco, Inc. Gross has some political ties that could assist him in the political process of being selected. He has served as the male representative on the Republican State Executive Committee for State Senate District 7. In this capacity he is on the Knox County Republican Party Executive Committee working closely with the current Knox County Party Chair Ruth Kuhlman.
John H. Grueser, Brigadier General (ret) USAF a 1971 Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy earning a Bachelor of Sciences in Engineering degree. Grueser is an Pilot Instructor with United Airlines.
Mike Manning, a business Consultant who has had business experience working with Radio Systems Corporation and the Rush Fitness Complex in financing operations. Manning applied for and was strongly considered for the Trustee position when the previous Commission choose one of their former Black Wednesday colleagues Craig Leuthold who was then rejected in the Republican Primary election in May 2014.
Ron Rochelle, a Comptroller for Designsensory and a Certified Financial Planner. Rochelle has had significant active participation with the Town of Farragut. He has a reference from the current Vice Mayor of Farragut Dot LaMarche.
John Schoonmaker, a Sales Executive working with Optovision and previously with Bean Station Furniture Factory. Schoonmaker has been active with homeowner issues for a number of years and serves on Knox County Board of Zoning Appeals. His membership on that body has not been without controversy. He has been accused of voting on matters when there could be a preceived conflict of interest. Schoonmaker has run for the Fifth District County Commission seat in 2004 and 2008. Both times he was unsuccessful in the Republican Primary to advance to the General election.
