Kelly Callison
An Oak Ridge planning commissioner who sought an appointment to City Council last year is running for election to the seven-member legislative body this year.
The candidate, Kelly S. Callison, is vice chair of the Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission. He is also the chief operating officer of Information International Associates Inc.
Callison sought an appointment to City Council after former member Tom Hayes resigned in June 2011. He wasn’t appointed then; instead, Council picked Charles J. “Chuck” Hope Jr.
Callison is now one of five candidates seeking one of three seats up for election on Nov. 6. The three incumbents—Hope, L.C. “Charlie” Hensley, and Ellen D. Smith—have announced they are seeking re-election.
Trina Baughn, who was defeated by Hope in a special Aug. 2 election, is also running.
In a press release, Callison said he served the public for more than 20 years as a Coast Guard officer, and he has 20 years of business experience. While serving in the Coast Guard, Callison was stationed across the United States, including in California, Michigan, New York, Connecticut, and the District of Columbia.
“Each location had its own challenges to address,” the release said. “(Callison) will bring insight gained from those experiences to the issues facing Oak Ridge, both near- and long-term.”
The release said Callison and his family moved to Oak Ridge five years ago and have been active in the community ever since. Callison is a member and active participant of the East Tennessee Economic Council, the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Task Force, the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club, and the Oak Ridge League of Women Voters.
“In 2011, he led the very successful 24th Annual Altrusa and ORBRC Literacy Luncheon that raised over $19,913 for literacy projects throughout the local area,” the release said. “He is committed to our community and increasing the quality of life for all residents.”
The release said Callison also served as president of the Springfield Forest Homeowners Association in Northern Virginia, representing more than 500 homes built in the 1950s. There was once nothing next to the homes, but they are now next to a very large retail center, the release said.
“Callison and the Association worked closely with county supervisors to support additional commercial development while preserving the character of the long-established neighborhood,” the release said.
Callison has four sons and one granddaughter. He and his wife Stacey live with their two youngest sons in the “near west” side of Oak Ridge, on Louisiana Avenue. The twins attended the Oak Ridge City Schools Preschool for two years and have started kindergarten at Linden Elementary School, the release said.
It said Stacey served as president of the PTA for Preschool and served on the Head Start–Governor’s Pre-K policy committee.
Callison has a bachelor’s degree in math and computer science, and a master’s degree in computer science.
For more information, visit his web site at www.ElectCallison.com.
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