I, along with my wife Beth and daughter Katie have lived in Dayton for 22 years. My family is primarily from the area, so even though I grew up just south of here, I worked several jobs and attended church in Dayton from my early teen years until I left for college at Tennessee Tech. I worked on numerous farms cutting cabbage, picking tomatoes, hauling hay and the like. I also worked at Hardee’s in Dayton. When I started college at Cleveland State I worked as an ‘orderly’ at the Rhea County Nursing Home. I still consider this one of the greatest experiences of my life. Then in 2003 we had the opportunity to move to Dayton when I was hired as the Rhea County Finance Director. And we still live here today, and love it. I also have served as the minister of music at the Wolf Creek Baptist Church in Spring City for over 23 years. In our time here we have made many friends, saw many pass away, served on various not-for-profit boards, and have always tried to help make Rhea County a better place to live.
About Brad Harris
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to Beth. Her father was a pastor, so they moved around a bit. She graduated high school in Fort Mill, SC. She is a very gifted singer, perhaps the best female voice I have ever heard. My older daughter Hannah resides in Columbia, TN with her husband Rick and beautiful twins Lily and Madison. Our daughter Katies is a Rhea County High School graduate, Bryan College graduate and now teaches at Rhea County Academy. She will be married in June of this year. Our soon to be son in law is also a Bryan grad and a wonderful Christian man.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
After college I started work for a CPA firm in middle Tennessee, then worked for a corporation. I bounced around 2 or 3 jobs, and along the way had the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream and sing professional gospel music. While this was tough on my family, I did have the opportunity to sing all across the United States, on the Grand Old Opry, the National Quartet Convention, and with most top line gospel artists. But after 3 or 4 years of travel, we needed me to settle back down. I helped my sister in Dayton run the original Cheezee’s restaurant that she started, but I drove 120 miles each way so after 2 or 3 years I had to give that up. I tried banking, then real estate appraisal, but made my way back to CPA firm work. I landed in downtown Chattanooga and after some years there Rhea County contacted me and I became the finance director. After 3.5 years, I changed jobs to the City of Athens (much less political), and after 5 years to my current job as a finance and accounting consultant with the University of Tennessee’s Municipal Technical Advisory Service. I am in my 14th year. I absolutely love my job, because I get to wake up and go make a difference in someone’s life every day. Last year I worked with 226 cities, and was awarded the President’s Award at UT, the first employee in the Institute of Public Service to receive that award. In addition to consulting, I speak at a lot of conferences and have the opportunity to make a real and measurable difference daily. I can’t imagine doing anything else.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
My best advice is to be transparent, and to be real. But most of all adhere to Micah 6:8 which tells us to 1) act justly (to do what is morally right and fair), 2) to love mercy (to demonstrate a loyal commitment that flows out of love), and 3) to walk humbly and not in arrogance and pride.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I will probably be retired, but ‘still in the game’ in some capacity. I believe that there are two types of people in the world: water dippers, and well diggers. Well diggers make things happen, so I plan to do just that by volunteering, working part time, or in any other capacity that comes along. Of course, using the motor home and traveling with Beth with be at the forefront as well.
Brad Harris & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love Screen Door Kitchen. Best chicken liver ever (don’t judge!). Delia’s is great because of the flautas.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Worked: about 50 years. Lived: 22 years.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Wow… I don’t know that I can narrow that down to one person. Coming to my mind now is Jace Cochran. Yes is my cousin, but I am in awe of his ability, his talent, his humbleness and his love of Rhea County. He has a brilliant mind (how many people can say they were on ‘Jeopardy’? and he has accomplished so much. Most of all God improved his life with Jessie and a beautiful family.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Cheezee’s Restaurant – the original that my sister Carol started where Mo Mo’s is now.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love that we still have a sense of ‘community’ and belonging. You have to look for it, but there are so many amazing people who love others and want to make a difference.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I think it would be President Trump. And lunch would be at my house. I would love to know what keeps him going 100 mph at his age, but most of all why he has such drive and passion when he essentially has everything he could want materially. His passion and desire to help America prosper, when he doesn’t have to prove himself, is so uncommon in today’s world.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
O love old shows. Gunsmoke, Perry Mason. I loved 24 too.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Well… I served on a budget and fiscal policy committee in Washington, DC for 6 years. Numerous trips and meetings. Although I didn’t dare much for the city, I really enjoyed to committee and the work we did to help local governments all across the world.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Beth Harris, Hannah Harris, Katie Harris
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Uncle Bill Harris, and my Dad Alvin Harris. To be more like them gets me out of the bed every day.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Comfort, Pepper, Sugar, Family
