MEMPHIS – Bill Gibbons, Republican candidate for Tennessee governor, today announced major additions to the campaign’s finance, strategy and management team.
Gary Shorb, president and chief executive officer of Methodist Healthcare Corp., will serve as West Tennessee finance chairman. Shorb serves as chairman of Memphis Tomorrow, and has served previously as chairman of the Memphis Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Bill Rhodes, CEO, president and chairman of AutoZone, Inc., a Memphis-based Fortune 500 company, will serve as Shelby County finance chairman. He is the incoming chairman of Memphis Tomorrow.
Josh Thomas, Memphis area field representative for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, will serve as campaign manager.
Dr. John Bakke, a professor emeritus of the University of Memphis, is senior consultant to the Gibbons campaign. Bakke has served as communications consultant to more than 100 political campaigns, and is recognized across Tennessee as a premier campaign consultant.
Layne Provine will serve as a consultant to the campaign. Provine was a consultant to the Tennessee House GOP in 2008 and credited with playing a leading role in the effort that led to the Republican’s historic victory to gain control of the House.
Wendy Carter will serve as finance director. Carter worked with U.S. Sen. Bob Corker on the Victory field staff, and has congressional campaign experience.
“Gary Shorb and Bill Rhodes are friends who are highly respected for their achievements in business. I’m proud to be working alongside them in this campaign,” said Gibbons, the Shelby County District Attorney General. “I am energized by the support this campaign is receiving, and by the exceptional talent that we are bringing on board to win this race.
“We are not finished building our team,” Gibbons said. “It’s still very early, and as this race moves forward we will add even more strong support across the state.”
“I’m excited to get this campaign moving with such a strong and talented group of professionals,” said campaign chairman David Kustoff. “This team is running a campaign that will be well funded, highly organized and very focused.”
I had a great time speaking to Republicans in Northwest Tennessee at the Obion County Lincoln Day Dinner last night! Many thanks to Susan Stigler, Ben Shute, Rob Joyner, and many others for putting together a GREAT event!
I just returned from a great trip to Middle Tennessee. I met with some great folks in Nashville on Friday night, some of whom have their own blog. They all asked very good questions. Saturday morning, I spoke to Robertson County Republicans at their re-organization meeting at Rep. Joshua Evans’ campaign HQ. I appreciated their warm hospitality, and the good food! Saturday afternoon, I had lunch with several Montgomery County Republicans. We had a great discussion, including a little campaign strategy. Saturday night, I attended an impressive Reagan Day Dinner in Rutherford County (probably around 300 people). I congratulate Nate Schott, Lou Ann Zelenik, Tim Rudd, and all the other organizers for doing a fantastic job! All of these counties that I visited over the weekend are very important ones!
Knowing that the election is still a year and a half away, I have decided to first introduce myself to people by telling them about my background, which you can read about HERE. While I am talking about the pressing issues facing our state, I am also telling people about myself, and I think people have really appreciated that.
Bill Gibbons will be the keynote speaker at the Obion County Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday, March 19th. Several Republicans from Obion and surrounding counties are expected to attend. Conservative radio talk show host Mike Slater will be the emcee. You can read more about the event HERE.
Our first campaign e-mail update was sent out this afternoon. If you haven’t already, sign up for updates by entering your e-mail address at the top of this page. This is a great way to receive a periodic summary of what’s new with the campaign and to keep up with Bill’s travels across the state. Tell your friends to sign up as well!
General Gibbons attended the Shelby County Lincoln Day Gala on Saturday night, and received a standing ovation when introduced. A poll conducted in January shows that Bill Gibbons has a 91% favorability rating among Shelby County Republicans. This is great news as Shelby County is the largest contributor of Republican votes in the state!
Bill Gibbons addresses Shelby County Lincoln Day attendees.
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Paid for by Gibbons for Governor Committee, William H. Watkins, Jr., Treasurer
