posted June 22, 2009
Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey announced today the six statewide finance leaders for his gubernatorial campaign.
“I’m proud to have each of these well-respected and talented individuals’ endorsement and leadership for my campaign,” Lt. Gov. Ramsey said. “Tennessee needs a governor who is ready to be successful on day one, with a grounding in the entrepreneurial sector that drives our economy. These leaders know what it takes to create jobs and that’s why I’m proud to have their support.”
Those named were:
Mike Curb is the owner of Curb Records. Mr. Curb is a songwriter and producer, writing over 400 songs across multiple music genres. He has been recognized with several awards including Producer of the Year by Billboard in 1972, and Country Music Label of the Year in 2001 by leading trade magazines.
Alongside his music career, Mr. Curb has remained politically active for many years. He is the former lieutenant governor of California, a role in which he served as acting governor for one year. Mr. Curb also served as national finance chairman for the Republican National Committee, where he led the party’s nationwide fundraising effort. Mr.
Curb serves as the chair for the Mike Curb Foundation, which has given to multiple organizations with a main focus on restoring historic music locations and supporting music education. His foundation is responsible for the development of art and entertainment centers both at Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities. In 2007 Mr. Curb was named Nashvillian of the Year.
James Ayers is the owner of FirstBank Tennessee in Parsons, Tn., and a businessmen with holdings in a wide variety of businesses, including financial services and real estate.
In addition to his business interests, he is active in a number of civic, educational and charitable organizations. Mr. Ayers is a member of The University of Tennessee Foundation Board, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Board, the board of the Tennessee State Museum Foundation, the Tennessee State Board of Education, and the board of trustees of Union University. He is the recipient of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ 2007 Philanthropist of the Year Award, the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America, and the Joe Kraft Humanitarian Award from The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Mr. Ayers was named a Leader in Banking Excellence by the Tennessee Bankers Association, and holds honorary doctorate degrees from Freed-Hardeman University, Union University and Bethel College . Mr. Ayers started the Ayers Foundation, which supports a wide range of programs and institutions with an emphasis on education in his home county of Decatur, in Henderson County and across the state of Tennessee. He also established and funded the Ayers Institute at Vanderbilt University, which conducts advanced cancer research, and the Ayers Children’s Hospital in Jackson, Tn. Mr.
Ayers received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting from Memphis State University.
Albert McCall, Sr. owner of century-old, D.T. McCall and Sons, will also represent Team Ron Ramsey. Mr. McCall has made his general store grow into the 49th largest furniture and appliance store in the United States. For 20 years Mr. McCall advertised with live commercials on the “Ralph Emery Show.” Business boomed and Mr. McCall became a popular TV personality. At that time “The Ralph Emery Show” had the highest lead in audience to “The Today Show” in the whole country.
Mr. McCall earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Tennessee Technological University and a Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition from the University of Missouri.
Mr. McCall served as a Second Lieutenant and forward observer in the Korean War. He is a contributor to Republican politics because he believes in preserving the freedoms of Americans and encouraging the personal responsibility and potential of individuals.
Jimmy Wallace, former state legislator for 10 years, and chairman of the Madison County Republican Party is another addition to the Ramsey Finance Leadership team. Mr. Wallace served as the campaign manager for Bill Frist in 1990, as well as the Rural West Tennessee Coordinator for Fred Thompson’s Senate race in 1994 and 1996. He also served on the Senate Election Commission.
Mr. Wallace is the owner of Wallace-Harris Company, a commercial real estate firm in Jackson, Tn. and a retired Lieutenant of U.S. Navy. He is married to Sally Roland of Jackson, Tn., and has a daughter, Lee Ellen Wallace Driver and three grandchildren.
B.C. “Scooter” Clippard, former National Fundraising Chairman for Fred Thompson, and former National Finance Co-Chair for John McCain 2008 will also bring his political experience to the Ramsey Campaign. In 1998, he served as state co-finance chairman for Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist's re-election campaign, and in 2004, he was recognized as a Super-Ranger for the Bush-Cheney re-election victory effort at the Republican National Committee.
He began his career in the building supply business at AJ Smith & Company, the state's largest building supply company, eventually serving as the company's president before his departure in 1998. He then started his career in banking. He currently serves as a senior advisor and member of the board of directors for Community South Bank in Parsons, Tenn. He is also a trustee emeritus of his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Mr. Clippard and his wife, Fran, support and maintain the Center for Living and Learning, a private non-profit residential and vocational program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. The center was founded in 1987 by Fran Clippard's family.
James Powell, president and founder of Powell Companies, a well-respected construction company headquartered out of Johnson City, Tn. will complete the Ramsey Finance team.
In order to share the successes of his company, Mr. Powell typically contributes 10 percent of corporate earnings to local organizations, many of which he has also served on the board of directors, such as Hands On Museum, Boy Scouts, Boys Club, Girls Scouts, Girls Club, Girls Inc., Holston Home For Children, Mountain Mission Home, Johnson City Symphony, United Way, Salvation Army, Red Cross, East Tennessee State University, University of Tennessee, and many others. His contributions have allowed ETSU to become an all Steinway Music School. Mr. Powell has served on special committees and organizations including: State Capitol Renovation, Washington County School Evaluation, Tennessee Business Roundtable, and Chairman of University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Capital Campaign. He recently completed a term as chairman of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and is currently serving as chairman of the University of Tennessee Development Council.
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