Thanks for taking the time to get to know me today.

To really know someone, you need to know a little about his background. I started my raising in independent East Tennessee, an area that is full of conservative, hard-working folks just like here. They don't really want a lot from government, just freedom.

My grandparents lived off the land as most farmers did at the time, fishing, farming, and hunting. As my Grandfather Woodby worked hard to support his family, World War II and the pipefitting trade lifted his family out of poverty. He was very proud to have worked at the Oak Ridge atomic bomb plant.

My Dad's father was a Dutch immigrant escaping poverty from Europe. He stood by the Statue of Liberty and later told me The American Dream of freedom and independence was what he worked for; 26 jobs later, he retired to a small farm on Powers Ferry Road in Marietta. He knew what most immigrants knew; with hard work and determination, you could make yourself a success.

My dad didn't like high school, so he worked at Dunaway's Drug Store in Marietta. One day, a newly-hired young pharmacist drove up in a brand new Buick. My dad had one of those life-changing moments, "I want more." With a little prodding, the pharmacist told my dad if he went into the military, he could take advantage of the G.I. Bill! The pharmacist promised that he would do whatever it took to get him into the University of Georgia's Pharmacy School when Dad got out of the service. My dad joined the Marines, and in his words, "Did my duty." The young pharmacist came through on his promise. My dad became a pharmacist. Education was the key to changing a life and a family's future.

My mother has always been an inspiration to me. She helped her mom care for a large family and got a public job early in life. Mom taught us to work hard and be proud of our efforts. Due to her influence and encouragement, I became one of the first in her family to graduate from college, and the first with a Master's degree. Thanks, Mom.

Marcia, my wife of 38+ years, is from a family of educators. Her dad, too, used the G.I. Bill after serving in the Navy during WWII to live his American Dream- teaching and then becoming a high school principal, and an assistant superintendent in a large system in Georgia.

Marcia and I met at the University of Georgia on a Thursday afternoon while we were studying at the Main Library. We were the only two people in there at the time--REALLY. A week later she asked me out on our first date. That's the Real American Dream.

Upon graduation from The University of Georgia's College of Agriculture, I started work as the Assistant County Agent in Bartow County in 1980. I stayed there for a few years. Marcia and I got married and then went to Bleckley County in Middle Georgia to further my experience in agriculture. Pickens County was our next stop and has been our home for 35+ years. We live on a small farm, and over the years have grown a little bit of everything.

I have been very active in our community over the years. I have served on various boards and clubs. I have been on the Mountain Conservation Trust Board, Chattahoochee Technical College, and Appalachian Cattlemen's Association's Board. I am a past member of the Jasper Lion's Club and was President of our Pickens High School Tip-Off Club. I try hard to make it to my Rotary Club every Wednesday and am a member of the Pickens County GOP. I have cooked pork and chicken BBQ for many organizations and events to raise money for charity. I coached little league baseball for years with some great parents. We went to the Dizzy Dean World Series twice.

My relationship with God has always been an important part of my life. Christian principles are an important part of my everyday approach to life and to making decisions. It is the basis of my enthusiasm to display a servant-leadership approach to public office just like I have in work, family, and in community activities.

I retired in 2010 after 29 years as a County Agent. Budget reductions at the University put a few of us older employees out to pasture to keep our younger agents working. As an educator with the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Pickens County, my role was to teach, inform, and empower folks. One of my job's most rewarding roles was to help people make and save money. When a farmer called about eliminating weeds in their pasture, I helped them choose the most economical way to improve their hay quality and yield. When I could help a homeowner establish a turf or help golf course personnel diagnose a turf grass disease, he or she could treat the problem the first time, thereby saving money and time. We assisted in decision-making on new Ag enterprises. When a homeowner or business has a problem with fungus, weed, or insect we haven't seen before, we were trained to use state-of-the-art technology and research from UGA to identify and recommend cost-effective solutions. Agriculture and the adults and youth who dedicate their lives to this way of life have made my career a special one.

I have worked closely with many volunteers and co-workers over the years. We started our local farmer's market, we have written and received grants, and we have raised over $100,000 for college scholarships for youth. We developed a lamb/livestock program, Cattlemen's Association, and Master Gardener program. We have helped hundreds of 4-H youth learn individual responsibility and citizenship by guiding them through project work and community service.

Through these real-life experiences, I have developed a personal appreciation and understanding of the challenges our community faces. I have spent my life being your public servant and know that caring, respect, and calling folks back will make a difference. Working hard to find the answer to your questions is second nature to me.