My first significant step into community involvement occurred circa 1995. CHS, now known as Atrium Health, entered into a lease agreement for all three hospitals in Cleveland County.

They planned to downsize both Kings Mountain Hospital and Royster Memorial in Boiling Springs in order to move their CONs, Certificates of Need, to CRMC in Shelby. This would have allowed them to add additional operating rooms there.

Then school board member Ronnie Hawkins asked me to chair an ad hoc committee, “The Kings Mountain Hospital Welfare Committee”, to save our hospital. With the assistance of Vice Chair Dave Allen and a strong committee, much effort, and many meetings, CHS decided to change their plans. In fact, the CONs were moved to Kings Mountain Hospital.

I have remained involved in our community and over the years served on the KM Parks and Recreation Board, the initial KM YMCA board, volunteered as a KMHS tennis coach, served as the KMMS PTO President, served on the Safe Kids Cleveland County board, was a representative on the Joint Utilities Commission, taught Sunday School, served on the Church praise team, volunteered as a musician for several KMHS plays, was a Rotarian, served on the KM Planning and Zoning Board, and served on the KM Board of Adjustments for which I served as the chairman.

I currently serve as vice-chair on the Kings Mountain Planning and Zoning Board and Chair the Kings Mountain Transportation Advisory Committee.