Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Skip and Amanda Alexander -- Mooresville residents, raised in Concord; members, Trinity Baptist Church; 22-year old twin sons living in the area.

"A lifetime of preparation" -- More than a slogan! Son of a 39-year N.C. Highway Patrol veteran, Skip had great role models, including Mom's church/community service.

As a teen: Civil Air Patrol, Cadet Commander. Later: EMT, volunteer rescue squad; nonprofit boards; neighborhood associations; foster parent; active in church -- committee chair, church moderator, teaching at Mecklenburg jail.

After college/law school at UNC-CH, Skip's been a licensed attorney since 1975; his heart remained in law enforcement.  He's been an officer -- full-time or part-time/reserve -- 34 of the last 40 years (small town, urban county, federal agency), almost 24 years as an FBI Special Agent -- investigator, negotiator, legal advisor, supervisor.

Post-retirement, Skip "rounded out" experiences with Basic Law Enforcement Training -- 17 weeks of "rookie school" -- seeking to volunteer as a reserve deputy with Iredell County Sheriffs Office.  Meeting a lack of response and limited reserve program, Skip joined Mecklenburg County Sheriffs Office. Fellow officers selected him Reserve Deputy of the Year.  He remained a deputy until April, 2010 - departmental policy required departure because of political candidacy. 

Skip's a long-time Boy Scout volunteer, currently a Unit Commissioner; completed Wood Badge (Boy Scouts' highest leader training); and received District Award of Merit. Both sons benefited greatly; one’s an Eagle Scout. 

Skip's a regional representative, Peace Officers For Christ -- non-denominational law enforcement/corrections organization -- and has studied the relationship between faith and work. He's committed to Christian values, and to working respectfully with people holding differing beliefs.  

Skip hopes to serve with highly qualified individuals who owe allegiance to the citizens they serve, not any politician. Skip doesn't seek your vote as "Super Cop," definitely not "Super Lawyer." He comes humbly requesting your vote -- and your prayers -- as a candidate to serve Iredell County's residents. 

Thank you to over 4,000 voters who discussed concerns about the Iredell County Sheriffs Office and signed petitions qualifying Skip as an Unaffiliated candidate for Sheriff. 

NEED FOR CHANGE:  Among voters' concerns were "poor inter-agency cooperation" and "unfair treatment of certain deputies" (Statesville Record & Landmark, 5/6/10). Some addressed the current sheriff's termination of numerous deputies -- full-time, part-time/reserve, inactive -- after elections from 1994 through the May primary. In the primary, 51 per cent of Republican voters chose the Sheriff's opponents, possibly seeking more openness, better stewardship of limited resources, and new leadership approaches.    

SKIP ALEXANDER OFFERS NEEDED CHANGE: Skip Alexander offers decades of vital experience. While N.C. sheriffs are politically chosen, Skip's goals for ICSO include professionalism, merit-based personnel actions, and fair administration of justice. Credit for achievements would go to ALL enforcement/corrections personnel, not the sheriff's re-election. The latest technology and training -- particularly, Mitchell Community College -- will be priorities, with leaders challenged to improve agency-wide career potential.

Press releases, agency vehicles, agency publications, and county resources won't highlight Skip's name. Skip seeks to serve one or two 4-year terms, NOT 20 YEARS, as does the current sheriff.

ICSO leadership will better educate citizens about ICSO's responsibilities and resources. Skip wants a sheriff and staff who are AVAILABLE, APPROACHABLE, ACCOUNTABLE. Being Unaffiliated -- no large donations from anyone -- offers impartial leadership, without favoritism. Skip supports honest, law-abiding citizens' rights to possess firearms for sport and self-protection. Key goals:

Visible sheriff, in uniform, role model professionally, personally

Aggressive, county-wide response to drugs, gangs, violent crime, DWIs

Improved partnerships with police, fire, medic, state, federal agencies

Leadership by example and encouragement, not politics or intimidation

With fairness, openness, and honesty, a sheriff serves by equipping, advocating for, and encouraging his personnel. Skip's team will strive to make Iredell County an even greater place to live and work, ICSO a great place to serve as law enforcement and corrections professionals.