Michael Phagan, CPA to run for Trustee

Michael Phagan, CPA

Michael Phagan, CPA announced he will be seeking the office of Jefferson County Trustee in the May Republican primary. Michael currently serves as a County Commissioner for the 3rd District. In that capacity, he serves as Chaplain, as well as Chair of the Long-Range Planning Committee, as a member of the Facilities and Nominating Committees, and formerly as a member of the Budget Committee. He is a Certified Public Accountant and is the sole owner of Michael Phagan, CPA.

He is currently employed as the Work-Based Learning Liaison, Partners in Education Liaison, and Safe Schools Coordinator for Jefferson County Schools.  He was formerly the Director of Facilities, Transportation, and Business Affairs, where he served as the Owner’s Representative on the team that lead the largest, multi-million-dollar building program in the county’s history. In that role, he was directly responsible for ensuring that every project within the program came in under budget and that school started on time.

“I love Jefferson County and I feel I can continue to make a difference in public service by utilizing my skills as a Certified Public Accountant to provide leadership in the Trustee’s office. This office requires integrity and dedication, along with the financial skills to allow our citizens to have confidence in their Trustee,” Michael stated. “You will find me to be dedicated to the job and I will show up on Day 1 prepared to lead the office in an efficient and effective manner on behalf of the citizens of Jefferson County. My family and I are at a point where I can do more to serve Jefferson County and I want to give back to the county that has been so good to me,” he added.

Michael grew up in Jefferson City and White Pine and graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1984. After graduation, he joined the United States Army, serving on bases in Kentucky, Texas, and Europe. After completing his military service in 1987, he enrolled at East Tennessee State University where he earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in accounting. He joined the Department of Energy as an auditor in Oak Ridge and then served as Lead Auditor, Liaison Accountant, and eventually Senior Accountant for nine DOE satellite offices. He became a Certified Public Accountant in 1994 and has held professional memberships in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants. In 2018, he earned a Master of Science in Management and Leadership degree from Western Governors University.

Michael is a graduate of LEADERSHIP Jefferson County and the East Tennessee Regional Leadership Program. He is a former member of the White Pine Lions Club. His public service to the county also includes two elected terms as a School Board Member. In addition, he has been active in youth activities serving as a Tiger Cub Den Leader, as well as a coach for football, basketball, and soccer teams. Currently, he is serving as the Secretary for the Jefferson County Republican Party’s Executive Committee.

“Dedicated, dependable and qualified are the traits that I feel I can bring to this job along with a passion to work hard for the citizens of Jefferson County,” he concluded.

Michael is married to Channie Church, his college sweetheart, and they have one grown son, Shay, and a daughter-in-law, Claudia. Channie has taught first grade for the past 22 years in the Jefferson County School System. She is currently an educator at White Pine School.

Michael and Channie make their home in Baneberry and worship and serve at Leadvale Missionary Baptist Church where he is a Deacon and drives the church bus. He is the son of Jerry and Joyce Shaver of White Pine and brother of Carolyn Phagan Malzone.