Republican nominee Jim Hammond today announced a 48-person Steering Committee to guide his campaign to be elected sheriff of Hamilton County.
“I am humbled and honored citizens of this stature would agree to serve and give me guidance in my campaign,” said Mr. Hammond. “I look forward to sharing my ideas with them and hearing their views of how we win this election as we restore honesty and integrity to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department.”
Hammond Campaign Co-Chairmen Bobby Wood and Harold Coker will lead the steering committee.
“Jim has a clear vision for the Sheriff’s Department, and the Steering Committee will help him continue to refine that vision so that it will benefit every citizen of Hamilton County,” said Mr. Wood.
The 48 members of the steering committee are:
E.T. “Bud Schaerer”
Jim Queen
Dr. Fred Steelman
Emerson Russell
Leamon Pierce
David Copeland
Claude Ramsey
Charles Fleischman
Corky Coker
Mike Walden
Fred Skillern
Steve Ray
Bill Hullander
Walter Williams
Jim Coppinger
Steve Parks
Richard Casavant
Grady Williams
Larry Henry
Curtis Adams
Harold Coker
Adm.Vance Fry, Ret.
Richard Floyd
Fred Decosimo
Vince Dean
Gen. Bill Raines, Ret.
Gene Roberts
Dot Sertel
Lewis Card, Jr.
Gerald McCormick
Ed Gravitte
Charles Peavyhouse
Greg Vital
Connie Weathers
Don Haynes
John Lively
Matthew Bryant
Bobby Wood
Hicks Armor
Gary Behler
Doug Daugherty
Bo Watson
Phil Smartt
Bart Quinn
Henry Hoss
Brent Lambert
Lt. Col. Roger Ingvalson Ret
Mike Carter
The Hammond campaign will hold a grand opening celebration of campaign headquarters Thursday from 5-7 p.m.
Hammond for Sheriff Campaign headquarters is located in the One Park Place Building across the street for the Sam’s Club. The address for the location is 6149 Lee Hwy. suite 200. The event is open to the public and will draw leaders from the business and political communities.
“We are fortunate to acquire such a desirable location,” said Mr. Hammond, “This central location provides a high level of accessibility to both my staff and supporters.”
Light refreshments will be served
For more information, call Marti Fairbanks (423) 643-3722.
Jim Hammond has more than 30 years of law enforcement experience. He holds two bachelor’s degrees, one in psychology from Tennessee Temple and one in criminal justice from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He later returned to UTC to earn his master’s degree in criminal justice.
Mr. Hammond began his career in law enforcement as a probation officer with the Hamilton County Juvenile Court. After serving in the United States Navy as a submariner, Hammond returned to Hamilton County as the Chief Deputy in the Hamilton County Sheriff’s department, where he served for 17 years.
After retiring from the sheriff’s department, Mr. Hammond trained police officers on an international scale. After spending time in Europe and Haiti, he most recently was chief of operational policing at the Jordanian International Training Center, where he trained Iraqi police recruits before they return to their homeland.