Williamson County businessman Bill Lee announced this week that he has formed a coalition of Tennessee military veterans who will advise his campaign as he seeks the Republican nomination for governor.
The veterans come from every branch of service and will advise Lee on issues related to veterans and the Tennessee Military Department, which oversees the National Guard, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and the State Guard.
“There is no group that we owe more to than our veterans, and I will make our state the number one state for veterans to live and work,” Lee said in a news release.
Lee, who also has a background in agriculture, has never held elected office. He has been traveling the state to boost his name recognition and hear from people about the issues most important to them. He first toured the state in a campaign RV and this week is wrapping up a statewide tractor tour.
The honorary chairman of his veterans group will be Major General (Ret.) Gary Harrell of Washington County.
“Bill Lee is a man who has a strong commitment to our state and to our veterans,” Harrell said.
Lee is chairman of Lee Company, a family-owned construction, facilities and home services company with offices and operations throughout Middle Tennessee, northern Alabama and southern Kentucky. He said that “the contributions of our military veteran employees have been critical to our success.”
“We must include our veterans community as part of our long-term vision, and commit to making Tennessee the best place for veterans to settle, work, and raise a family,” Lee said.
Members of the Veterans for Bill Lee Advisory Coalition include:
Chairman
Major General (Ret.) Gary Harrell (Washington County), United States Army (35 years of service)
Commander, Delta Force; Deputy Commanding General of the United States Special Operations Command;
Decorations:
Defense Superior Service Medal
Bronze Star Medal (with V-device and 2 Oak Leaf Clusters),
Purple Heart,
Defense Meritorious Service Medal,
Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster),
Air Medal,
Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters),
Joint Service Achievement Medal,
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
East Tennessee
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Wade Priddy (Hamilton County), United States Marine Corps
Captain (Ret.) Dan Mahoney (Washington County), United States Army
Master Sergeant (Ret.) Stacy Vaughan (Washington County), United States Air Force
Middle Tennessee
Colonel (Ret.) Rick Ames (Maury County), United States Army
Colonel (Ret.) Daniel Lindsay (Davidson County), United States Army
Colonel (Ret.) Thomas Vaughn (Warren County), United States Army
Colonel (Ret.) Phil Russell (Williamson County), United States Marine Corps
Colonel (Ret.) Temple Bowling (Coffee County), United States Air Force
Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) JW DeLoach (Williamson County), United States Air Force
Lieutenant Commander (Ret.) Stuart Price (Williamson County), United States Navy
Captain (Ret.) Richard Whittington (Maury County), United States Army
Sergeant (Ret.) Zachary Bell (Williamson County), United States Marine Corps
Specialist (Ret.) JT Cooper (Rutherford County), United States Army
West Tennessee
Major General (Ret.) Jackie D. Wood (Henderson County), United States Army (36 years of service), 73rd Adjutant General of Tennessee (1995-2002)
Colonel (Ret.) Jim Harding (Carroll County), United States Air Force
Corporal (Ret.) Carl Max Nutt (Wayne County), United States Marines Corp
Colonel (Ret.) John Bradberry (Madison County), United States Army
Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Ronnie Hayes (Lake County), United States Army
Sergeant (Ret.) Bennie Denton (Madison County), United States Army
Sergeant (Ret.) Danny Jackson (Madison County), United States Air Force
Thank you Mr. Lee. You rock!