Louis Oliver, III
Chancellor and Attorney
Sumner County Chancery Court
Who are you?
“I am the Chancellor and Chancery Court Judge for Sumner County, a position that I have held since 2014. Before my election, I was a local attorney, in private practice since 1980. Previously, I served as the City Manager for Hendersonville from 1973 to 1982.”
What are some of your community activities?
“I am a member of the Hendersonville Rotary Club, where I have served in several leadership positions over the past 46 years. I am also a long-time member of the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Hendersonville Church of Christ.
What motivates you?
“I’m motivated by creating deadlines for tasks that I have to get done. In my current position, I’m motivated to look out for the children in divorce cases. The adults can usually take care of themselves, and sometimes the welfare of the children is forgotten about during the bitterness between the adults. It is my job to ensure that the needs of the children do not get ignored.”
Who is your mentor?
“I have had two mentors in my life, the late attorney Shelton Hatcher and former Hendersonville mayor Jim Fuqua. Shelton was the person who motivated me to attend law school to become an attorney. Jim had a law office near mine, and I relied on his advice a great deal over the years.”
What is the greatest life lesson that you have learned?
“Like many people I used to start something and give up when I hit a little bump in the road. As I grew into an adult, I finally learned to prioritize my goals, make plans to achieve them and see the plans through to completion.”
What advice would you give to others?
“Treat everyone fairly. Don’t take advantage of others when you have the upper hand.”
Andy Gilley
Director of Parks and Recreation
City of Hendersonville
Who are you?
“I have been the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Hendersonville since 2018. Previously, I was a business teacher and coach at Hendersonville High School for 18 years.”
What are some of your community activities?
“Over the years, I have been active in several community organizations, including serving as Assistant Baseball Coach for Hendersonville High School, Director of Baseball for the Hendersonville Rangers and Assistant Baseball Coach for Rawlings Southeast Prospects. I am also a member of the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce.”
What motivates you?
“Several things motivate me, such as the fear of failure and a passion for doing things that no one has been able to do before. Also, I always strive to make my mother proud.”
Who is your mentor?
“I have been blessed to have several mentors in my life, including former Parks Director and current interim City Administrator Dave LeMarbre, Hendersonville High School Baseball Coach Mike Hendrix, former Hendersonville High School teacher Betty West and my mother, Nancy Gilley.”
What is the greatest life lesson that you have learned?
“Don’t take anything for granted. There is always someone out there who is working just as hard as you are, if not harder.”
What advice would you give to others?
“Don’t try to outthink God’s plans. He always puts us where we need to be when the time is right. It may not be our timing, but His timing is perfect.”
Clayton M. Fulks, DMD
Orthodontist
Smile Construction Orthodontics
Who are you?
“I am an orthodontist and the owner of Smile Construction Orthodontics. We have offices in Hendersonville, Gallatin and White House.”
What are some of your community activities?
“I am a member of several community organizations, including the Hendersonville First United Methodist Church, the Hendersonville Rotary Club, Leadership Sumner and the Bluegrass Yacht & Country Club. I have served on the boards of the Hendersonville Area Chamber of Commerce and Children’s First Preschool.”
What motivates you?
“I am motivated by helping my children achieve emotional, physical and spiritual success in their lives.”
Who is your mentor?
“Many people have influenced my life and helped mold me to become the man I am today. Perhaps the most influential one was my wife’s grandfather, John Clendenin, more affectionately known as ‘Papaw.’ He was a man of integrity, wisdom, honor and love. I aspire to be like him some day.”
What is the greatest life lesson that you have learned?
“Failure is the best teacher. It is okay to fail. Failure doesn’t matter – what you do afterward is what matters.”
What advice would you give to others?
“Do the very best you can with all of the information you have. Persevere, and never stop learning and improving.”
Andrew C. Turner
Professional Educator and Principal
Sumner County Schools
Who are you?
“I am a retired professional educator. Before my retirement, I served a total of 47 years as a teacher and principal for Sumner County Schools.”
What are some of your community activities?
“I have been involved with a lot of different organizations in Gallatin and Sumner County, including Key-Stewart United Methodist Church, Shalom Zone, Volunteer State Bank and the AIM After School Program. I am currently serving on the boards of the Sumner County Museum and the Gallatin Housing Authority.”
What motivates you?
“I came from a large family, the fourth oldest of 12 children. My parents Archie and Lola Turner made many sacrifices to help me and my siblings grow and prosper. Their collective wisdom has always been my main source of inspiration, and their love and guidance motivate me to this day.”
Who is your mentor?
“As a young teacher, I had several principals who went out of their way to mentor me. Both Tom Bruce, principal of T. W. Hunter Middle School and Pat Webb, principal at Union Elementary School, helped me immensely. I learned so much from both of them, and I will be forever grateful for their time, commitment and mentorship.”
What is the greatest life lesson that you have learned?
“Always align your intentions in life with your words, actions and goals.”
What advice would you give to others?
“Live for service.”