What is your hometown?

I am a third generation Jacksonian. My grandfather came to Jackson in 1908 with the railroad. My parents, Anne and Victor Schneider, practiced law in Jackson for many years as Schneider & Schneider Attorneys at Law. My uncle was Walter Baker Harris, General Sessions and Juveniile Court Judge. My aunt was Betty Y. Harris who operated Betty Y. Harris Estate Sales for many years.

What is your profession?

I serve as Director of Community Health Insitute at West Tennessee Healthcare where I have worked for 31 years. The late Jim Moss, President and CEO of WTH, hired me, in part, to develop a community grant writing program to assist public and nonprofit agencies in our service area with grant and funding applications. Support of this community service has continued wih the Board of Trustees and subsequent leadership at WTH. Our work has addressed mental health, homelessness, food insecurity, child development, addiction, workforce, and economic development. In 31 years we have been successful in bringing over $171M in grant dollars to Jackson and rural west Tennessee.

Where have you volunteered?

I have played in active roles serving for Youth Town of Tennessee, The STAR Center, the Jackson Arts Council, Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame, the Jackson Family YMCA Regional Board, and The Bank of Jackson. I am a Past President of the Jackson Rotary Club and past District 6760 Assistant District Governor, past Chair of the Jackson State Community College Foundation, and the Jackson/Madison County Library Foundation.

In 2007, City of Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist asked me to serve as Chair of the Safe Neighborhoods Task Force -- charged with reviewing data and making recommendations to the City Council on housing, property codes and ordinances, as well as crime and law enforcement on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis. I currently chair the Community Redevelopment Agency, Health Community Education Partners, and Jackson Housing Commission of the City of Jackson. These agencies work to plan, finance, and implement development and redevelopment plans and projects to eliminate or prevent slum and blight and increase affordable housing in Jackson.

What are some of your favorite things about Jackson?

For many years I ran in the early morning through midtown and downtown Jackson. It was such a wonderful time to enjoy the neighborhoods and places of my childhood. Residents of Jackson are very welcoming, and it’s easy to be involved in community activities. For a city with a population of $67,000, it has a wide range of arts activities, sporting events, leisure activities, and recreation options for residents.

Three words that best describe you.

Structured. Dependable. Appreciative.

What is one thing that you do not go a day without?

I have to exercise or work out every day.

Finish this statement, I AM JACKSON because…

I strive and work every day to make Jackson and rural West Tennessee a better place to live.