Karen Thrasher said recently that throughout 40 plus years of work and local community involvement, she’s been blessed to be a part of many good and productive efforts for Shelbyville. She is now running for the Ward 4 Shelbyville City Council seat on Nov. 8.  

“Along with my wonderful family, church and friends, those opportunities have provided great highlights to my life,” said Thrasher. “It is my desire to use these life experiences to serve in a positive way with optimism and a vision which looks forward with a purpose. The future is open to progress, which not only supports the fast-changing dynamics of our City, but also protects and treasures the many good aspects of our town.”  

Thrasher said if elected, she pledges to learn all she can about the duties and responsibilities required. She said she will listen to the people and consider each issue in light of how that vote will not only impact the citizens but will also provide a stepping stone to a better quality of life for this community.  

“My experiences have shown me that training and education, a strong job base, thriving businesses, and committed leaders can make a positive difference,” said Thrasher who has served on Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.  

She added, “While I will not step back from tough, even controversial decisions, my commitment is to listen, learn and to frame all decisions in a way that will capitalize on our assets, shape our future proactively and strongly consider what is good, fair and beneficial.”  

Thrasher said her primary goals or visions for the City will focus on economic growth from both large and small employers as well as from locally owned businesses. Job growth and the resulting economic impact are vital, she said, if this community is going to invest for future generations.  

A graduate of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and a certified senior professional in human resource management, Thrasher believes she can continue to make a positive impact on this community.  

A great honor was when she was selected as a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow. Other work-related experiences include Holland Consulting, Recognition Concepts and Family Staffing-all locally owned companies, she advised.  

She’s also wife of Hershel and the mom of 2 adult children, Lee Thrasher of Jasper, Ga. and Leslie McAnally of Shelbyville. This grandmother of 9 is also interested in the beautification of Shelbyville, whether that entails a clean up effort or the expansion of the many assets in the City which support tourism.  

“It is important that we work as partners with our county and state leaders to ensure improvements in all areas which will enhance the standard of living for all. “We can be proactive while treasuring our history and past accomplishments. But we can also work to shape our community to meet the changing needs of citizens while welcoming growth and opportunity for future generations.”  

Thrasher started out her professional career in the Times-Gazette advertising department, where she worked for 5 years. She was then hired during startup operations of Calsonic Manufacturing Corporation (now Marelli.) Thrasher said the company grew to 1,000+ employees and became a key community partner in many efforts which made significant and positive changes in the City and County.  

“The partnership between Calsonic and The Celebration resulted in the building of Calsonic Arena which provided a premier event facility which continues to bring many visitors to our area annually. I was honored to be a part of that start-up team along with several outstanding city and state leaders.”  

Thrasher has also been involved in the start up of the United Way of Bedford County Board and the Boys and Girls Club of Bedford County. She’s a member and past president of Rotary Club of Shelbyville and the Breakfast Rotary of Shelbyville. She has served with the Community Clinic, on the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Advisory Board, on the Shelbyville Bicentennial Committee and as a volunteer with First Choice Pregnancy Counseling Center. A 40 plus-year member of First Baptist Church of Shelbyville, she has served on the board of directors of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Thrasher was selected as local Shelbyville’s Professional Woman of the Year for 1999.