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Glenn Steakley is announcing that he is seeking a position on the Cannon County Board of Commissioners to represent the citizens of the 4th District in the August 7th, 2014 General Election.
Steakley retired in 2011 and has over 40 years of successful management and leadership experience with extensive training in problem solving and development of management and quality systems. He spent 23 years with Durango Boot Company where he reached the position of Plant Manager, responsible for the facility and its 300 employees. He spent two years with a Nashville based converting company where he was promoted to Operations Manager, responsible for three facilities and its 50+ employees. He served 2 years in the Tennessee State Guard where he received an honorable discharge.
Most recently, he spent the last 16 years of his career with Crane Interiors in Woodbury. There he held the position of Quality and Engineering Manager. Steakley developed the current Quality Operating System (QOS) used by Crane which helped them survive the recent economic recession as many of Crane's competitors were forced to go out of business.
Steakley is currently serving as Chairman of the Cannon County Audit Committee. This oversight group reviews the county's annual state audit and its findings (deficiencies), and also works with the county officials to eliminate the findings in order to reduce waste in all areas for a more efficient county government. The five citizen Committee has been recognized by the State of Tennessee Comptroller after only one year in operation. Furthermore, that office and CTAS (County Technical Assistance Service) have recommended that other counties creating a new audit committee reach out to the Cannon County committee, in order to help set up their operations and procedures. The Audit Committee's Standard Operating Procedures, which were developed by Steakley, have already been submitted to at least three other counties by CTAS.
"My experience on the Cannon County Audit Committee, the most elite group of professionals with whom I've had the opportunity to work, has given me an opportunity to see inside our county finances, how revenue is generated, and how our money is being allocated and spent. By working through the deficiencies with our county government officials and their staff, audit findings have been greatly reduced and operating efficiency has been increased. My desire is to continue this improvement by increasing transparency in our local government and ensuring that hard earned tax dollars are spent wisely. I need your vote to continue this effort.
"A requirement of serving on the Audit Committee is pledging to be independent of any office, person or group that might have an influence in the oversight of the local government operations or internal controls," says Steakley.
"Since I have no other family members or personal connections to any entity in the county that could contribute to swaying my decisions, I have found that it is easy to make the right decisions through independence, while gaining the trust of the other Audit Committee members and our local officials."
Among those who know of Steakley's dedication, focus, and capabilities firsthand are the two Crane Interiors general managers he answered to for 16 years prior to his retirement. "I came to work for Crane Interiors in the summer of 2005," states Current General Manager, Chris Anderson, "and quickly learned that Glenn was as thorough of a manager as I have ever known in my work history. Glenn's attention to detail and appreciation of the company or any entity that he is associated with are unparalleled". Anderson continues by saying that Steakley "will always do what is right for the area that he represents, and will always look out for their best interest".
Prior to Anderson, Steakley answered to General Manager Marc Larson. Larson states, "Glenn was hired as a Quality Engineer at Brown's Manufacturing in Old Hickory, answering to me. Due to Glenn's outstanding commitment to detail, leadership, and management ability, he was soon transferred to Crane Interiors where he s i n g l e h a n d e d l y implemented a quality system based on the principles of ISO 9000, Total Quality Management, and 6 Sigma. Over the next ten years Glenn developed and managed the Quality Engineering System at Crane Interiors, elevating Crane's reputation for quality and integrity to the highest in the industry." Larson continued by saying that, "Glenn's integrity and ability to problem solve would be a great asset to the Cannon County Commission."
Glenn and his wife, Pam, are the proud parents of five children between them and four grandchildren. They are both active in community activities. "Being retired gives us an opportunity to spend precious time with family and give back to the community we love. We take advantage of every opportunity to help," says Glenn. Both are active members of Woodbury Church of Christ in which Glenn's participation includes working in the Outreach Center, Disaster Relief, and working with students after school in Woodbury's Well Program.
He is also an active member of the Woodbury Lions Club. Activities include former Vice-President, former Treasurer, assisting with Sight Screening school students in grades 1 through 12, as well as participating in KidSight for pre-first grade children, Coats for Cannon Project, White Cane, Lions Club Horse Show, and the Red Cross Blood Drive.
Steakley is a current member and former board member of the Cannon County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Steakley has made it a point to attend many local government agency meetings over the last 2 years to get a better
understanding of the works of our government. "I have studied all of the information made available by CTAS associated with the County Commission responsibilities, and I vow to attend the County Officials Orientation
Program (COOP) in Nashville prior to gaining office, if elected by the people of the 4th District."
Steakley feels that the Board of Commissioners could benefit from having someone with formal problem solving experience, and who has had the responsibility of meeting a large budget. "I want to be the representative that the citizens of the 4th District expect and deserve," states Steakley. "This effort is not for me. This campaign is for the people of the 4th District. I want them to have a representative that cares about their needs, and that is accessible and will attend every meeting possible to give them true representation. I am not seeking another career. I am seeking this position so I can continue to serve my community. With my experience, proven track record, and newfound knowledge of our county government, I feel that I can have a positive impact in improving our community. "Being retired, I have the time available to put into researching the issues that are important to the citizens of the 4th District, as well as those of Cannon County, and make fact-based, common sense decisions on their behalf. I know that I don't have all the answers. I do feel that I have the ability and knowledge to ask the questions that will help lead to the right answers.
"Although I am not a politician, I do have a desire to be public servant and would be honored to receive one of your votes to serve as one of your two Commissioners for the 4th District.…….. I want to be your Commissioner. Now is the time for us to make a positive difference. All I ask is that you give me a chance to serve you."
Steakley invites the citizens of the 4th District to follow the campaign on Facebook at: Glenn Steakley for commissioner.
Paid for by Glenn Steakley; Patricia A Sissom, Treasurer
