Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born in Oxford in 1980.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I received my bachelor’s in secondary education social studies from The University of Mississippi and my master’s in educational leadership from The University of Mississippi.
Q: Where do you work?
A: I serve as the superintendent of the Marion County School District.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: When I first began my career in education, it was because I loved learning, research and discussing various topics. I enjoyed history and literature and thought I would enjoy spending my time teaching others to love those subjects as well. I grew up with family working in public education since the 1960s, so I knew the business as a whole. As I grew as an educator, I developed a desire to not only help individual students learn and grow, but to help guide and develop strong systems and high achieving schools for the communities in which they exist. Public schools are the backbone of a community. Where you find strong public schools, you find strong communities. I have been in school or district administration full time for 17 years, and I still find my passion is working to build strong schools thus helping to build strong communities. Education is a calling that I’m glad the Lord put on my heart and excited that I am still able to do it every day.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: Getting to work with a terrific faculty, staff, students and community members.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: Being a public servant in any capacity can be a stressful job sometimes. Most people desire for their schools and communities to be strong and grow, but there are always different viewpoints on what that means and how to get there. As a public servant, one must work with everyone to accomplish the goals we have. It can be exciting but also challenging at times.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: Listen and analyze more than you speak.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: I loved looking at National Geographic and watching shows they sponsored. I always dreamed of working for them as a photographer, traveler and writer.
Q: What was your first job?
A: I grew up working in the hay fields and vegetable fields on my family land. We grew most of the food we ate when I was younger, however, that work was not paid — it was just expected. I began mowing lawns for payment at age 12, starting with my church yard and added a few more through the years.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: That is tough to answer. My father, Tommy, was a 35-year teacher and administrator, so I learned a lot from him, personally and professionally, but I have learned life from many people through the years.
Q: What is your spouse’s name?
A: Cydney.
Q: Do you have children?
A: Yes, I have 2. My oldest, Gabe, is a 2024 graduate from West Marion and currently serves as a submarine sonar tech for the U.S. Navy. My youngest, Tom, will be a sophomore at West Marion this next year.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: A bacon cheeseburger pizza from Pizza Inn.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: It is difficult to pick just one place, but first on my list would probably be Italy and the general Mediterranean region.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I have not had many hobbies the past few years other than following my boys around supporting them in their various activities. I do enjoy fishing and hope to get back to doing more of that again. I love trout fishing in Arkansas and once made regular trips there.
Q: What do you enjoy about Marion County?
A: It has great people that love their communities.
Q: Where do you go to church?
A: My family is going to Grace Chapel at Sandy Hook.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: I would love to have another meal with all of my wonderful grandparents; they have all passed now. From history, it would be tough to choose. I love history and would love to learn it from those that lived it, but I think I would say Teddy Roosevelt. He is one of my favorite historical figures.
Q: What moment in your life has had the biggest impact on who you are today?
A: The day I married my wife. It led to the full life I have now with my family.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: I’ve always wanted to drive a snowmobile.
Q: Using one word for each, what are your top three defining characteristics?
A: Integrity, collaborator and straightforward.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: If I can be remembered as a good and faithful man that worked to make my corner of the world a better place during my life, then it will be a life well lived. -
