Meet the candidates for Walker County Board of Commissioners chair
Two candidates, both Republicans, are seeking the chair post on the Walker County Board of Commissioners: incumbent Shannon Whitfield and challenger Angie Teems. facility upgrades and day-today operations.
My career at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee involved managing the nonattorney staff, overseeing an annual budget of $42 Million and leading project management initiatives.
I worked in previous roles in prominent law firms in Chattanooga, Tenn., where I honed legal and managerial skills.
I had a 20-year entrepreneurial venture as the proprietor of Old Bethel Boarding Kennel, raising and training professional show dogs for Old Bethel Labradors (retired in 2021)
Political history: I am a Republican and this is my first exposure to politics up close. I have been a voter but never understood the extent of how challenging it is to run a campaign. I have and will continue to learn more throughout this election.
Volunteer work, associations, etc.: My volunteering comes in many forms, such as taking food to shut-ins, caring for animals at the county shelter, helping with the LaFayette Senior Day, and various duties as part of the LaFayette’s Women Club.
One or two living elected officials within the state of Georgia whom you admire: Tax Commissioner Carolyn Walker and Clerk of Superior Court Carter Brown
Why are you the best choice for the office you seek? My extensive business experience and education makes me uniquely qualified for this position. Having worked inside Walker County Government, I can hit the ground running. I will immediately put to work my common sense approach to dayto-day operations, while giving care and concern for Walker County tax payer’s needs.
I’m committed to a truthful, transparent and accountable government, empowering employees and working closely with Commissioners.
I’m committed to investing in staff development, identifying new sources of revenue for the county and ensuring project accountability.
I’m committed to unwavering loyalty to tax payers and pursuing efficiency and economy in county operations.
Contact info: Facebook: Angie Teems for Walker County Chairman (https://www. facebook.com/profile.php? id=61556342961876&mib extid=LQQJ4d); Website: http://www.angieteemsforchairman.com; Email: contact@angieteems.com; Phone: 423-364-4627
Political party: Republican Personal: Married to my wife Dayna for over 30 years. Two daughters — Erica, University of Georgia grad with a business management degree, married in 2020; Jordan, Kennesaw State grad with double major, now a school teacher. One son, Daniel, attends school in Chickamauga.
Work history: Served for 30 years in family business as vice-president and CFO of Whitfield Oil Company in Chickamauga. Owned and operated, with my wife, Kid’s Exchange Consignment Store for 20 years in Chickamauga.
Named “Rookie of the Year” in 2002 by the Association of Independent Oil Distributors (AIOD), awarded 2008 AIOD “Vision Award” and named 2012 AIOD “Member of the Year.”
Political history: Appointed to the City of Chickamauga Planning & Zoning Commission, served 2012-13.
Elected to the Chickamauga City Council, served two years, 2014-15, with oversight of the city recreation department and the city planning and zoning.
Won a landslide victory in November 2016 to become sole commissioner on a platform to clean up Walker County, restore the county’s finances and be the last sole commissioner of the county.
Became chairman of the Walker County Water & Sewerage Authority Board January 2017 and vice-chairman of the Walker County Board of Health.
Was presented an award in 2018 from Historic High Country for the Best Marketing Campaign for the creation of “Walker Rocks.”
Awarded the 2019 J.C. Gober Community Service Award by the Walker County Young Farmers.
Recognized by the Association of County Commissioners in GeorgiaTrend Magazine as a “Leader of Distinction” for “Innovative Leadership” for the fiscal turnaround of the county’s finances.
Awarded the 2019 Distinguished Citizen Award by the Catoosa & Walker Citizens & Veterans Memorial.
Elected Chair/CEO of the newly formed Walker County Board of Commissioners after serving as sole commissioner for four years.
Recognized in 2021 by the University of Georgia Carl
Vinson Institute of Government for completing prescribed educational classes and received certification as one of Georgia’s “Certified County Commissioners.”
Elected in Jan. 2022 to serve a two-year term as chair of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission after serving as secretary and vice-chair.
Elected as the Association of County Commissioners District #1 Representative for Northwest Georgia in May 2022.
Volunteer work, associations, etc. Walker County Chamber of Commerce: served on the Board of Directors and Executive Board as treasurer, vice-chair, chairelect, chair and past chair.
Board member for Communities in Schools & Trustee Board member at Oakwood Christian Academy.
Four years as Upward Basketball League director and six years as chair of my church’s finance committee.
Named 2008 “Member of the Year” by the Walker County Chamber of Commerce.
Member of the Chickamauga Library Board, 201017, served as chair 2015-16.
Joined Cherokee Regional Library Board in 2013, served as vice-chair for one year and as Regional Board chair for two years.
Graduate of Gordon Lee High School, Class of 1988; awarded the Gordon Lee Memorial High School “Distinguished Alumnus Award” in 2011 for Civic Leadership and Involvement.
Living elected officials within the state of Georgia whom you admire. Henry Craig, Board of Commissioners, Baldwin County; Gov. Brian Kemp
Why are you the best choice for the office you seek? At the heart of my efforts in serving you is the unwavering commitment to fiscal discipline. We embraced a balanced budget, prioritized essential services, and implemented costsaving measures without compromising the quality of life for our residents. By exercising prudent oversight of public finances, we have restored confidence in our county’s ability to manage its resources responsibly.
But financial freedom is not merely about numbers on a balance sheet. It is about the opportunities it unlocks for our community. It means investing in our infrastructure, supporting local businesses, and creating a thriving environment where families can flourish.
Walker County has a bright future ahead of it. We have the potential to be a beacon of economic prosperity and a model of responsible governance. But we must remain steadfast in our commitment to preserving our hard-won victory over crippling debt. We cannot return to the days of irresponsible, reckless spending that brought our county to the brink of financial ruin.
Together, let us continue to build a fiscally sound and sustainable future for Walker County — a future where our children and grandchildren can thrive, businesses can grow and prosper, and we can all enjoy the benefits of living in a financially secure community.
Contact info: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ shannonkwhitfield; Phone: 423-619-1912; Email: whitfieldcommissioner@gmail.com
Tamara Wolk is a reporter for The Catoosa County News in Ringgold, Ga., and Walker County Messenger in LaFayette, Ga.