Blog | Todd McKinley

My Current Public Involvement

Todd McKinley

Jul 15, 20242 min read

Updated: 6 hours ago

Title: My Current Public Involvement

It’s important to know exactly what our elected officials do outside of just running for and/or holding public office. It’s my belief to be as transparent and open as I possibly can, which is why I’ve provided so much information here on my website (www.toddmckinley.com), which includes everything from my Military Resume to my Post Military Resume, My Education, Organizational Memberships, my blog, and all information I've provided.

Personal

The Todd A. McKinley Scholarship

I've given this scholarship every year to one graduate since West Ridge High School opened. I began the scholarship for the last graduating class before my alma mater (Sullivan North High School) closed its doors as a high school, albeit it was under a different name. www.toddmckinley.com/post/the-todd-a-mckinley-scholarship-2025

Political

Sullivan County Board of Education

o Member: District 5 Representative (September 1st, 2024 - Present)

· Member: Sick Leave Committee

· Member: Collaborative Conference Committee

Sullivan County (Tennessee) Republican Party

o Member at Large: Executive Committee (March 2nd, 2023 - Present)

Political Commentary

o Co-Host: www.toddmckinley.com/the-common-sense-conservatives (May 12th, 2021 - Present)

o Guest & Guest Host: Television, Radio, Podcast, and Social Media (September 2017 - Present)

Veterans Service

American Legion: Post Level

o 1st Vice Commander of Hammond Post 3 in Kingsport (May 20th, 2023 - Present)

· Member: Post Executive Committee

American Legion: Department Level

o Senior Vice Commander Department of Tennessee (June 16th, 2024 - Present)

· Member: Department Executive Committee

· Member: Department Legislative Committee for the 1st Congressional District

· Chairman & Member: Department Trophies and Awards Committee

American Legion: National Level

o Member: National Legislative Council for the 118th Congress for TN-01 House District

o Member: National Security Commission: Conventional Armed Forces Committee (October 13th, 2023 - Present)

o Member: National American Legion College Alumni Association Board (August, 25th, 2024 - Present)

Battle of Blountville Civil War Military Park Association

o Board Member (2021 - Present)

o President (April 1st, 2023 - January, 28th, 2025)

Veterans Coffee Roundtable

o Host (September 2023 - Present)

Veterans Oral History Project

o www.toddmckinley.com/post/veteran-s-oral-history-project

Veterans Suicide Book

o www.toddmckinley.com/post/veterans-suicide-and-my-late-best-friend-bradley-j-bush

University of Tennessee Medical Center Home Care Services- Hospice

o Veteran Visitor (February 28th, 2024 - Present)

Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.

Todd@toddmckinley.com

The Todd A. McKinley Scholarship (2025)

Todd McKinley

Apr 4, 20242 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

Memorandum For: Sullivan West Ridge High School Seniors (Class of 2025)

SUBJECT: The Todd A. McKinley Scholarship

1. I’m pleased to announce the Todd A. McKinley scholarship for the fourth graduating class of West Ridge, the Class of 2025.

2. This scholarship will be available to only 2-graduating seniors, from West Ridge’s class of 2025, the fourth graduating class. It will be awarded primarily based on character, academic qualifications; career goals, projects, accomplishments, and educational plans, and any recommendation letters will also be considered. The scholarship is in the amount of a one-time payment of $1,000 to the winner, and $500 to the runner-up, which will be made to the awardees after officially and successfully graduating, but the winners will be named during the 2025 awards day.

3. Minimum Prerequisites:

a. Be a person of good character.

b. Be a West Ridge 2025 graduate in 4 years or less.

c. Have at least a 3.0 GPA

d. Be involved in at least one extracurricular activity outside of normal school hours, either sponsored by the school or a reputable organization. Regularly volunteering in the community will suffice.

e. Not required but encouraged: A letter of recommendation from a West Ridge faculty member, former Teacher, an elected official, community leader, coach, etc., but not from a relative.

4. How to apply:

a. Complete the attached application. (Email me for an application: Todd@toddmckinley.com)

b. Submit all required documentation before the deadline. Applications will not be reviewed until after the deadline, therefore changes to submitted applications will be allowed until then.

5. Application deadline is 5:00 pm on Friday, April 4th, 2025.

6. Submit all applications to Todd@toddmckinley.com

Subject: Todd A. McKinley Scholarship: Your Last Name, Your First Name

Title all documents appropriately. Use Word and/or PDF if possible.

7. I look forward to receiving the applications and rendering a timely unbiased decision. Note, my decision will be based solely on the criteria above, no applicant will be discriminated against for any reason.

8. Any questions and applications should be emailed to the undersigned.

Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.

Todd@toddmckinley.com

Campaign Pledges

Todd McKinley

Feb 5, 20243 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

February 5, 2024

Memorandum For: The Residents of Sullivan County School Board District-5

SUBJECT: Campaign Pledges

1. I, Todd Allen McKinley, with this signed memorandum, do solemnly pledge to the residents of Sullivan County Board of Education (BOE) District-5 to adhere to and support the following areas, and more. Note: The U.S. & Tennessee Constitutions appear first, the rest are in alphabetical order, as each area is important.

A. The U.S. & Tennessee Constitution: I’ve sworn an oath to “support and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic” on many occasions, which to me hasn’t expired since the first time I took the oath when I was eighteen (18) years old. When I’m sworn in, it will be a reaffirmation of that oath.

B. Accessibility: I will be available to every 5th district resident, which includes meeting with those who attend County BOE & Commission meetings, monthly social media town halls, quarterly in-person meetings within the district, weekly blog updates here to inform the public and provide links to important information, attending community functions, answering emails daily, and more. (Todd@toddmckinley.com)

C. Budget & Public Comment Period: I'll never support needless spending, especially if there's no true direct benefit for the Students and Teachers of the 5th district and Sullivan County. Also, I’ll work to ensure the public has ample time, at least 30 days before any major action is taken, especially when it comes to spending millions of taxpayer money.

D. Education: Sullivan County students should be able to graduate with a well-rounded education, one that will equip them for the world that awaits them. As I say, an educated public is an employable public. That’s why every Teacher should have the pay & benefits, as well as the tools and funding they need to educate our nation's future. Remember, industry only moves into areas with an educated population. With a young, educated population, as evidenced across the country, local populations, from the young to the old alike benefit when this happens. More jobs mean more money in each area, which means more spending, which benefits local businesses and local governments through taxes, thus reducing the burdens on everyone, especially the working class as well as the elderly and aging.

E. My Pay: Some of my pay will go to increase the amount of my current scholarship offered to one West Ridge Senior, plus I’ll likely add at least an additional scholarship.

F. Oaths, Ethos’, Creeds, and Values: Find out more here.

G. Safety & Security: The safety and security of the students, and every employee of the BOE will be a major focus of mine. While serving more than 20 years in the Army and having served in some of the most dangerous places on earth, including combat tours in Afghanistan & Iraq, as well as having served closely with Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement, especially the United States Secret Service and the Diplomatic Security Service and dozens of Regional Security Officers at various U.S. Embassy’s the world over, I fully understand personal and physical security and have assisted in the security of three (3) U.S. Presidents & Vice Presidents, and other world leaders. I’ll ensure that the proper resources are made available to ensure the safety of everyone at every school.

H. Term Limits: I pledge to serve no more than two (2), four (4)-year terms in my lifetime.

I. Transparency: I will be honest in all I say and do and will keep the public apprised of everything I do when it comes to my duties as a BOE member.

Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL

SFC, USA-Ret.

Todd@toddmckinley.com