Chuck Severance announces candidacy for Knox County Commission
June 15, 2021

KNOX COUNTY - Business and community leader Chuck Severance, who has lived in Knox County Commission District 7 for more than 30 years, announced his candidacy for office on Monday, June 7th, citing a long record of public and community service.

Chuck Severance; image submitted

Severance, a Republican, has 35-plus years of experience from sales representative to general manager in the window and door industry serving the building sector.

He is chair of the board for the Public Building Authority (PBA), which manages buildings and construction projects for the city and county. He was appointed to the board by then-Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett.

“While on County Commission, I plan to focus on education and economic growth,” Severance said. “I feel like I have the experience and commitment to represent well the values of District 7. I also will help Mayor Glenn Jacobs and my fellow commissioners keep taxes low.”

The Knox County Primary Election will be held May 3, 2022, and Severance is launching his campaign well ahead of time.

Severance and his wife, Kim, a former member of the Knox County School Board in the same district, are owners of two small businesses in Powell. District 7 encompasses North Knox County and runs east and west from Powell to Halls.

Severance has been a champion of education and children’s causes throughout his career. For six years, he served as chair of the board of the Halls/Powell Club of the Tennessee Valley of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Under his leadership, the club raised $350,000 for youth programs and other needs.

He was appointed by Juvenile Court Judge Tim Irwin to the Knox County Foster Care Review Board, and, during the six years he served, hundreds of orphans and foster children found permanent homes. He also has served on the March of Dimes’ committee for the Ted Hall Classic Golf Tournament.

Severance credits his parents, Charlie and Phyllis Severance, for teaching him the value of public service. His father is a former state representative, and his mother has a successful track record as a manager of local campaigns and will oversee her son’s run for County Commission.

“I witnessed firsthand what it means to give of your time and energy to serve others and to give a voice to those who have none,” Chuck Severance said.

Chuck and Kim Severance, who have been married since 2013, are members of Faith Promise Church. She works in public affairs for the school system, and he is a proud stepfather to Connor and Garrett Sepesi.

He has been on the Three Ridges Golf Course Advisory Board under the Knox County Parks and Recreation Department since 1992 and currently is serving his third term as chair.