Candidate Biography (submitted by campaign):

I was raised on a small farm in Union County, NC.  My person ethic for hard work and my values were established on the farm.  I learned right from wrong from my mother and my faith journey began in a rural Baptist Church. 

A few years after graduating from Marshville High School, I was lucky in getting a job with WBTV in the early 60s.  Working hard, I was fortunate to become general manager of WBT radio and WBTV television. 

Charles Crutchfield, my mentor, impressed upon me the importance of community service.  I served on the board and as President of numerous civic and charitable organizations on the local level as well as serving on the boards and in leadership positions of broadcasting organizations including the National Association of Broadcasters in Washington, D.C. 

I have run large businesses. My business, public service and one term in the NC House experience uniquely qualifies me to serve you again in the North Carolina House. I have a long and successful record of getting things done.  After retirement, we became fulltime residents of Blowing Rock. 

I served on the Session of our Church, Rumple Memorial Presbyterian and served on several local civic boards.. I am the past President of the NC Association of Broadcasters, a recipient of the Association's Distinguished Service Award and named to the Association's Broadcaster Hall of Fame. 

I joined the NC National Guard when I was 17 years old and served 8 years in the Guard and Army Reserves.  I am a graduate of Class number 1 of the NC National Guard OCS.  I am s 32-degree Mason and Shriner. 

My wife Sylvia, a retired public school teacher, and I have three children and six grandchildren.

I am running for reelection to the NC House to continue to work for the citizens of Ashe and Watauga Counties and the citizens of North Carolina.  I am very proud of my first session and what I was able to get accomplished for my district and the service I provided and continue to provide to my constituents.

Constituent service is the number one priority of my Legislative office.  I was  fortunate to get some excellent committee assignments that enabled me to tackle a strong role in some of the accomplishments of the 07 session, especially as it relates to education, which is a priority for me. 

Things like higher teacher pay, reduced classroom sizes and a safe environment for all our children.  I am on the Appropriations, Education, Education Subcommittee on Universities, Agriculture, Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Energy and Energy Efficiency and Environmental and Natural Resources Committees. 

I am very proud of our 07-08 budget.  We spoke specifically to several needs across our state that will benefit our workers, the elderly, teachers, school children, etc.  We still have a lot of work to do in the Mental Health arena. I am not satisfied with where we are in dealing with mental health.  I am also not satisfied with where we are with health care. 

Looking to next term, I'm very concerned about the economy and the impact its having on our working families.  Grocery prices, gas prices, heating oil, etc. are making it very difficult for some of our citizens to make ends meet.  I want to see what we as a state can do to assist our working families. 

I hope the citizens of my district will allow me to continue to work for them in the NC House.