County Commission | The Magazine November 2019 | Page 31
NEWS YOU CAN USE
IN PROFILE
Vice President
Dean Calvert
C
ommissioner Dean Calvert got into public service at
the encouragement of a former high school teacher,
and although he had not followed politics closely prior to his
election, he seems to have found something he loves.
“It gets in your blood as far as helping people and getting
things done,” he said. “You see projects get started, and you
know you want to see them through.”
Calvert, a 52-year-old, three-term commissioner from
Blount County, has just been elected Vice President of the
Association of County Commissions of Alabama. According
to the traditional officer rotation, he will be sworn in as ACCA
president in August 2021.
According to the most recent edition of
Comparative Data on Alabama Counties, 17
of the state’s 67 counties use a district system,
in which commissioners supervise roads and
bridges in their respective districts.
Hon. Dean Calvert,
Calvert speaks with pride of his district’s
ACCA Vice President
208 road miles, recent improvements and
Blount County’s District 3
projects underway. He said it makes his
Commissioner since 2010
days different from those of his colleagues
who don’t manage their own road crew and
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
equipment. He might start his workday
• Licensed homebuilder with 28 years of experience in the
inspecting progress on construction of a
family glass business
bridge, then participate in a ribbon cutting
and later make sure a downed stop sign is
EDUCATION
replaced right away. “We’re actually on call
• Level II Certificate, Alabama Local Government Training Institute
24-7,” he said.
FAMILY
Probably the largest single initiative of his
• Fifth of nine children born to Bobby and Sue Horsley Calvert
commission career has been the establishment
• Married to his high school sweetheart, Sheila, for 33 years
of a 1-cent sales tax to benefit roads and
• Three adult children and three grandchildren
other needs in the county. It was his “Passion
Project” during his time in PLAN 2016, the
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Association’s leadership program for second-
• Hunting for deer and turkey, fishing
term commissioners, and the referendum
ACCA ENGAGEMENT
passed in 2016.
• Member, Board of Trustees, ACCA Liability Self-Insurance Fund Inc.
“It was not the work of any single person;
• Member, PLAN 2016, the inaugural class of the Association’s
it was a countywide coalition,” Calvert said.
leadership program
“That’s why I say with the Association’s
pledge to speak with One Voice, we can
205-914-3436
Dean Calvert
move mountains.”
Proceeds from that sales tax are paying
[email protected]
a bond issue for county roads and bridges.
Get to Know…
Blount
County
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