Candidate Profile: Tommy McDaniel

STAFF REPORTS — Lifelong Cherokee County resident Tommy McDaniel will try to unseat incumbent Lisa McKissick from her seat on the Cherokee County Board of Education in the June 3 Democratic primary.

McDaniel has worked at Cherokee Medical Center for 37 years and has been a member of the Cherokee County Rescue Squad for over 30 years.

He previously served for 12 years on the Board of Education, and said he is proud of the accomplishments he was a part of during his time as an elected official.
"Among the things I am most proud of include the increased graduation rate and reduced dropout rate," he told The Post. "I was instrumental in implementing a comprehensive program that continues to this day."

McDaniel said he is also proud of his past work to ensure that all county schools received their fair share of state funds.

"While serving on the state Board of Directors I was influential in starting a program that has brought our community over $300,000 and several million to schools across Alabama," he said.

McDaniel is a past president of the Alabama Association of School Boards, and served as chairman of the 12-state NSBA/Southern Region, where he was recognized for his outstanding leadership. During his term as AASB president, McDaniel founded a grassroots program called Leader to Leader, which pairs school board members one-on-one with state legislators.

McDaniel, a graduate of Sand Rock High School and Alabama Technical College, has completed all four levels of the AASB's School Board Member Academy. He was tapped by the governor of Alabama to take part in the Governor's Congress in Leadership in 2004.

"One of the most valuable resources we have is one that is hardly ever mentioned -- our children," he said. "They are our future leaders. We must do everything in our power to give all our students that opportunity to excel. That is why I am seeking election to the Board of Education, to make the learning environment in Cherokee County the best it can be."

Editor's note: This article originally ran in the May 19, 2008 edition of The Post.