Ken Yager

Ken Yager (born January 5, 1947) is a State Senator in Tennessee, representing District 12, which encompasses Campbell, Fentress, Morgan, Rhea, Roane, and Scott Counties.

Personal information

Ken Yager is a State Senator in Tennessee. Ken is married to the former Malinda Raby of Oliver Springs. They have been married for more than 25 years and have two adult children. He and his wife are members of First Baptist Church in Kingston. He and Malinda make their home in Kingston, Tennessee.

Education and work history

Ken has a Bachelor of Arts (Liberal Arts/history) and master's degree (Education) from the University of Tennessee. He earned his J.D. (law) from the University of Memphis. Throughout college and law school Ken worked as a janitor and cashier. He began his career as a teacher in the Roane County public school system. Later he went on to serve as County Attorney from 1978 to 1982, before being elected County Executive in 1982. He has since returned to the field of education as an administrator and assistant professor at Roane State Community College.

Community involvement

Ken Yager is active in the life of his community. He has served as Parent Teacher Organization President, Boy Scout Committee member, school volunteer, and serves on many non profit boards including the Mid East Community Action Agency for 25 years. Yager’s ability was recognized on the state level by his appointment to the State Workforce Board and the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association.

In 2006 he received the Roane County Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award. Among other awards, he was also a recipient of the Tennessee Jaycees Outstanding Young Man of the Year award. He and his family are members of South Harriman Baptist Church.

Political history

Ken Yager was elected to County Executive in 1986 where he served until he was elected to the Senate in 2006. As a County Executive, Yager established himself as a sound fiscal manager. He left office with a budget surplus (with no tax increase) and improved the county’s credit rating from A- to A during his tenure, something not always done in small to medium-sized Tennessee counties. Yager’s administration as County Executive supported the local school system and county road network, strong support for the emergency services, job creation including a new industrial park and consolidation of the local Chamber, Tourism and Industrial Board offices, an animal shelter, new health department, a new interstate exchange, and scores of grants to Roane County totaling millions of dollars.

Yager carried those years of county government experience into the State Senate where as a freshman Senator, Ken was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Senate Environment, Conservation and Tourism Committee. He was then elected by his peers to be on the powerful Joint Fiscal Review Committee, which serves as a watchdog over the state's financial affairs. He also serves on the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate State and Local Government Committee, where he advises on intergovernmental relations and the need for road improvements in Tennessee’s rural communities.

References

External links

• http://www.kenyager.com/
• http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/
• http://www.state.tn.us/sos/bluebook/
• http://www.tnsenate.com/