Johnson, Miles, Musso to seek Germantown aldermanic positions

By , Daily Memphian Updated: August 24, 2020 4:28 PM CT | Published: August 23, 2020 4:00 AM CT

The ballot in Germantown is set and all three aldermanic positions on the Nov. 3 ballot are contested races.

Additionally, incumbents are not seeking reelection setting up a race to place new faces on the board in positions 3, 4, and 5. Incumbents Forrest Owens in Position 4 and Rocky Janda in Position 5 chose not to run for another term. Alderman Dean Massey in Position 3 will leave that seat but has qualified for the Position 5.

Here are the latest candidates seeking an alderman’s position on the Germantown board.

POSITION 3

Terri Johnson

<strong>Terri Johnson</strong>

Terri Johnson

Terri Johnson, an 18-year Germantown resident, is challenging Sherrie Hicks for Position 3, the seat currently held by Massey. Johnson and her husband were involved in politics across the country for many years but after their home was flooded by heavy rains in June 2019 she realized they needed to be involved in Germantown.

She started attending Board of Mayor and Aldermen meetings and felt moved to action.

“There is a lack of respect for what citizens want, and it’s obvious,” she said. “I am hoping we can get the voice of the citizens back in the BMA.”


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Johnson grew up in Mayfield, Kentucky. She attended the University of Mississippi and Murray State University before moving to Memphis in 1999. Professionally, she’s spent the last two decades in pharmaceutical sales.

She and her husband have a blended family with five kids and one daughter-in-law.

“Germantown has been an amazing home to my family, and I want to ensure it remains for the next generation as beautiful, charming, and safe as it is today,” she said.

POSITION 4

John Paul Miles

<strong>John Paul Miles</strong>

John Paul Miles

John Paul Miles is running for Alderman Position 4, a seat Brian Ueleke and Rod Motley are also seeking. Motley originally pulled for 3, but later switched, filing qualifying papers for Position 4.

Miles was born in San Diego as his father was in the U.S. Navy, but in 1988 his father retired and began a career with FedEx. His family moved to Germantown, where Miles has spent the majority of his life. His first job was as a a busboy at the former American Café off of West Street.

“I loved the quiet residential charm,” Miles said of old Germantown.

He said in recent years, he’s become concerned of “over-development.”

He also said he wants to ensure residents voices are heard.

“I want to be a voice for Germantown residents,” he said. “For every single one of them.”


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Professionally, Miles is a Loan Officer for Bank of England Mortgage in Germantown. He attended Christian Brothers High School and the University of Memphis.

He is involved in Germantown’s Public Safety Education Commission and Historical Commission. Additionally, he is part of the Republican Party of Shelby County, Kiwanis Club of Germantown and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. He coaches youth soccer at Germantown Baptist Church and middle school lacrosse for Houston Lacrosse Club. He enjoys playing soccer recreationally in his spare time .

POSITION 5

Brandon Musso

<strong>Brandon Musso</strong>

Brandon Musso

Brandon Musso is seeking Alderman Position 5 and will challenge Jon McCreery for the seat vacated by incumbent Janda. Massey also has qualified for the race – filing papers shortly before Thursday’s noon deadline. He has also left open the possibility he could step aside before Thursday’s date to withdraw.

Musso moved to Memphis after high school and graduated from Christian Brothers University with a business administration degree.


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He and his wife are raising two children, ages 8 and 5, in Germantown and he is “invested” in the city, he said.

“I want to be a voice for Germantown, for every generation,” Musso said, noting it may sound cliché. “People want to know they have a voice, and it’s gone. I want to listen and do what’s right.”

Professionally, he has spent more than 15 years in transportation and logistics and currently serves as an operations manager at McKesson Corporation, a healthcare company.

Locally, he served on the Great Hall Commission. He also is a board member for CBU’s National Alumni Committee and is on Memphis Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Funding Equity Committee.

On the school board ballot, four candidates are running and only one of the three races is contested.


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Ryan Strain who is seeking Position 1, currently held by Linda Fisher, will run unopposed. Incumbent Amy Eoff, seeking reelection for Position 5, also does not have an opponent.

Rebecca Luter is not seeking reelection for Position 3, leaving and Brian Curry and Scott Williams in the race for that position.

Topics

Germantown Brandon Musso Terri Johnson Aldermanic Elections Alderman Position 3 Alderman Position 5 Alderman Position 4
Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren

Abigail Warren is a lifelong resident of Shelby County and a graduate of the University of Memphis. She has worked for several local publications and covers the suburbs for The Daily Memphian.


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