Shawn Daly, Toyota Bodine general manager and plant manager is a candidate for a seat on the Jackson-Madison County School Board.
The seat is District 4, Position 1.
NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM and WNWS.COM visited with Shawn for a question and answer session about his candidacy.
Question: Would you give us some background information about yourself – education, family and your position at Toyota Bodine in Jackson?
Answer: My wife Cindy and I are both from small towns outside Pittsburgh, PA. We met at the University of Pittsburgh. She is a Mechanical Engineer, and I am an Industrial Engineer. I also earned a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University.
Our older son, Shane graduated from Duke University and just completed his first year in Union University’s Doctor of Pharmacy program. He works at the Kroger Pharmacy on University Parkway.
Our younger son, Nathan is a Paramedic and a Nursing student in West Virginia. Our entire family graduated from public schools.
I have been with Toyota for 17 years. I am the General Manager and Plant Manager at Toyota Bodine Aluminum in the Airport Industrial Park. We produce the Engine Blocks for all of the Toyota and Lexus vehicles built in North America. We also produce transmission cases and housings.
Question: What made you decide to run for public office?
Answer: I believe that the challenges facing our schools are the most important issues in our community. They require strong, experienced leaders as School Board members. I believe that our students and our community can have a very bright future, but only if we improve the literacy and math competency rates of our graduates, and prepare them with the skills and abilities that tomorrow’s workforce requires.
I have been attending the School Board meetings this year to better understand our current condition. I have met with (Superintendent) Dr. (Eric) Jones and his team and partnered with them on several initiatives to improve our current and future educational programs. The logical next step is for me to join the School Board and continue this work on an ongoing basis.
Question: If elected, what capabilities would you bring to the position?
Answer: The School Board has many important decisions ahead regarding budgeting, facilities maintenance, new school construction and personnel issues. I have over 20 years of experience in managing very large budgets and capital projects, site selection and construction projects, facilities maintenance and human resource issues. I will use these skills to make the best decisions for our schools.
Question: How have you and your message been received on the campaign trail?
Answer: I have been going door to door, speaking with the voters in District 4 for the past several weeks. They are very concerned about our schools, and want to see improvement. They are also concerned about losing David Clifft and Bob Alvey from the School Board. So they are excited to see someone with strong management skills and proven leadership running for the board.
Question: You and your wife Cindy are very active in the community. Would you discuss a few of the projects the two of you are involved in?
Answer: We believe that the key to building a better community is for everyone to use their gifts and talents to build stronger community organizations. Cindy is the President of the Jackson Symphony League, and serves on the RIFA Board of Directors, where she volunteers every week. I serve on the Jackson Chamber Board of Directors, the Jackson Symphony Board as the Finance Chairman, and I recently completed a term on the Boys and Girls Club Board.
I also serve on the TCAT Jackson Board of Visitors.
Previously, I was a Boy Scout leader for over 10 years, was involved in Special Olympics for seven years, and coached youth football, wrestling and soccer for several years. We are members of Northside United Methodist Church, where I sing in the choir.
Question: How can voters learn more about you and your campaign?
Answer: They can visit www.VoteShawnDaly.com for more information.
(PHOTO: Shawn Daly, right, candidate for the Jackson-Madison County School Board, visits with Dale Vaughan)
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