Danny Ward is officially announcing his candidacy for Carter County Mayor during the May 1 County Republican Primary Election.

Ward is a lifelong resident of Carter County and graduated from Elizabethton High School. He currently serves as a member of the Carter County Commission representing the county’s 4th District, which includes the Courthouse, East Side, Siam, and National Guard Armory Precincts.

In his role as a commissioner, Ward serves as Chairman of both the Financial Management and Education Committees. He is Vice-Chairman of the Landfill Committee and a member of the Highway Committee.

In addition to his service through the County Commission, Ward is also heavily involved in other community organizations including the Elizabethton IDEAS Group, the Friends of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.

Ward has 33 years of business experience, 31 of which he has spent in various management-level positions. He is currently the Lead Assistant Manager of the Food City store in Elizabethton.

“I have been responsible for the oversight of more than 100 employees at any given time in each location of my employment over the years,” Ward said. “I have managed thousands of employees in my career, but I have never seen myself as a ‘boss.’ I decided a long time ago that I want to be a leader.”

“Anyone can be a boss, but a leader encourages and inspires, and is more effective in producing long-term, cost-effective results,” he continued. “I believe it’s time to bring this type of leadership to the mayor’s office.”

Ward said he feels his experience in business management will help him fulfill the duties of Mayor if elected.

“The county does need to be run like a business, but it needs to be run in a professional and respectful manner,” Ward said. “I believe the citizens of Carter County deserve a mayor who understands that a good servant of the people makes the best leader.”

During his managerial career, Ward has developed several skills he feels will be beneficial to him in the role of mayor, including: human resources management, planning and development, personnel relations, customer relations, policy development and implementation, team building, problem-solving, public relations, time management, recruitment, employee retention, time management, marketing, and merchandising.

“But, one of the most important skills I have found I need to do an effective job as a leader is the skill of listening,” Ward said.

If elected, Ward said one of his goals will be to repair and foster better working relationships within Carter County government as well as with other governments and agencies.

“The new mayor has to be able to work with everybody on the local, state, and federal level, and that is something Carter County has not had for the last seven years,” Ward said. “To be successful, we need to foster better working relationships with Elizabethton City government and other governments in the region, as well as with state and federal agencies.”

“We also need to work to repair strained relationships between the mayor’s office and the different departments within the county,” he added.

Working together is the key to helping Carter County move forward, according to Ward.

“Working together will help the county reach its full potential,” Ward said. “Carter County has more potential for development now than it has ever had.”

To be successful in economic and community development, Ward said Carter County needs to look not only at opportunities within the county but must also work with neighboring cities and counties on a regional level to recruit business and industry.

“We have our own unique assets that we bring to the table, and we have a lot of offer for regional economic development,” Ward said. “We can be the key to helping bring increased prosperity to the region.”

Throughout his life, Ward said he has been involved in the local community in a number of ways, and it is that desire to serve his community and help improve the lives of those who live here that prompted him to run for the office of Carter County Mayor.

“I have a good job working for a great company and I get to do a lot of community service with my job. Those are the things I am passionate about,” Ward said. “I have been blessed, and I know not everyone in Carter County has been as fortunate as I have been with their job. I want to help Carter County grow so that everyone has the opportunity to have a good job with a great company.”

“It’s not about finding something different to do. I love what I do,” he continued. “It’s about moving Carter County ahead and making it a better place for our grandchildren.”

Ward is married to the former Tammy Markland. The couple has one daughter and son-in-law, and two grandchildren. They attend East Side Christian Church.