‘Veterans Coalition’ backs Bill Lee for governor

News release from Bill Lee campaign

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Williamson County businessman and farmer Bill Lee announced the formation of the Veterans for Bill Lee Coalition. The group, consisting of Tennessee military veterans across every branch of service, will serve in an advisory role to Lee on state veterans and Tennessee Military Department issues.

“I’m honored and grateful to have the support and counsel of these great Tennessee leaders,” said Lee. “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.”

 The Veterans Coalition will help advise the campaign and coordinate with outreach within the veteran community in Tennessee. Leading this group as Honorary Chairman is 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,” said General Harrell. “Our state is a great place to live and work, and I know Bill has the experience and dedication to help not only the 500,000 veterans who live in Tennessee, but for all the 6.5 million people who are fortunate to call this great state home.”

 The Veterans for Bill Lee Coalition represents over 300 years of military service including experience in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia, Desert Storm, and the Vietnam War. Members also bring a broad cross-section of civilian experience in business, education, and government.

Lee added that engaging the veterans community was a priority for him as a business leader and will continue to be a priority if elected governor.

“At Lee Company, the contributions of our military veteran employees have been critical to our success. And across our state, over half a million veterans and their families are serving Tennessee as leaders in our communities, churches, schools, and places of work,” said Lee.  “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.”

Veterans for Bill Lee Advisory Coalition Members:

 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

About Bill Lee

Bill 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. Lee Company employs more than 1,100 people and has annual revenue in excess of $215 million.

In addition to his work with Lee Company, Bill is also active in Triple L Ranch, a fourth-generation family farm, which operates a 1,000-acre, 400-head Hereford cattle operation, providing natural beef to farmers markets and farm to table restaurants throughout Middle Tennessee.

More information is available about Bill and his campaign can be found at BillLee.com.