Diane Neeley has announced her candidacy for a Bedford County Commission seat within District 4, which lies in the southwestern portion of the county.  

“I am committed to the community who embraced me many years ago as a young bride,” said Neeley. “The people of my district have blessed our family with their friendship and it is my desire to continue my service to them as a County commissioner.”  

Neeley has served on Bedford County Board of Education for 20 years, representing District 4, which includes Liberty School. Neeley said during her tenure as a BOE member, she has spent countless hours in study and research to oversee the largest budget in the county.  

Over those 20 years, she’s also participated in the planning and budgeting to build Harris Middle, Community High, Cascade High, Learning Way as well as the renovation and addition at Shelbyville Central High.  

She has served as chair, vice-chair, and board team leader of the collaborative conferencing committee since its inception in 2012. She has been the Tennessee Legislative liaison for the local board for many years along with serving on numerous committees, both local and state, in relation to community involvement and initiatives for public education.  

Neeley has been recognized by the Tennessee School Board Association as a Level V Master Boardman. She was honored as a member of the All-Tennessee School Board in 2010 and was a recipient of the TSBA Scholars Circle award in 2017.  

“My work in the private sector—coupled with my years of board experience—have taught me how to budget, differentiate between needs and wants . . . collaborate to find solutions for funding those needs.  

She said she will be accessible to her constituency. “I have never had a conversation from which I didn’t learn something and how a decision can affect someone’s life. That is of utmost importance to me. Growth is inevitable, but how we allow and embrace it is our decision.”  

Neeley and her husband, Kim, have two children who also reside in the Wheel community. Son Spencer, his wife, Candy, and their children Kenadi, Slaten and Emma, along with daughter Leandra Huitt, husband Aaron, Nolan and baby Harper (due to arrive in September) are all important reasons, she said, for her desire to serve District 4.  

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve the people of District 4 as their Board of Education member and I would love the opportunity to continue my service to my community as their next County commissioner. I am committed to the people of our county and will work tirelessly to provide the best services we can for them. I will not make a decision that I have not thoroughly studied and exhausted every avenue available for me to understand the ramifications of the decision.”  

Neeley said during this time of continued challenges, due to COVID and economic distress, she feels her experience will be an asset to the County as it moves forward.  

“It is time for people in office to build trust with their constituents . . . demonstrate transparency and open communication and that is exactly what I will do as your commissioner,” Neeley said.