- Public Comment Procedures
Documentation for agenda books is due to Jamie Starnes one week prior to meetings.
Kent Herman
Kent Herman lives in the Ellendale community with his wife Martha. He has 3 children, Tiffany Stephenson, Stephanie Wright, and Colby Herman as well as 9 grandchildren. He is the son of the late Ned and Kay Herman and a lifelong resident of Alexander County.
Kent, along with his father and late brother, Rodney, have operated Herman Dairy Farm, Inc. since 1979. He also operates a beef/poultry business as well as H&H Arena with his son and son-in-law. He is a member of Mt. Herman Baptist Church and partner of Country Grace Church.
Kent was a member of the Alexander County Soil & Water Board for 23 years. He has also served on the National Milk Producers Federation Board in Washington, D.C., the Dairy Farmers of America Board in Kansas City, KS, and the DFA Southeast Council.
On September 7, 2021, Kent received his oath of office to fill the vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners formerly held by the late Dr. Jeff Peal. He was re-elected to a 2-year term in November 2022 and again in November 2024 for a 4-year term.
Josh Lail
Josh Lail lives in the Bethlehem community with his wife Mollie and his children Hannah, Haley, Lizzie, Lawson, Grant, Bear, and Junie Kate. He is the son of Gary and Sarah Jenkins Lail.
He is a 1995 graduate of Alexander Central High School and a 1999 graduate of Gardner Webb University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He also played 4 years of NCAA Golf. Josh is Owner/Real Estate Broker of RE/MAX Traditions as well as Owner/General Contractor of Josh Lail & Company, LLC.
As a member of the Alexander County Board of Education from 2004-2012, he served as Chairman in 2001 and Vice-Chairman in 2008 and 2012. He attends Bethlehem Baptist Church, is a recreational sports coach, and a past member of the Alexander County Comprehensive Planning Committee and Gardner Webb University Bulldog Club Board of Directors.
Josh previously served as an Alexander County Commissioner from 2014–2018 and was elected to serve another 4-year term in November 2020. He was re-elected to a third term in November 2024.
Marty Pennell
Chairman
Marty Pennell and his wife Jennifer live in Taylorsville and together they share 4 children and 2 grandchildren. He is Owner/Real Estate Broker of The Pennell Group and operates Pennell Construction Company.
He was first elected as a County Commissioner in November 2018 and was re-elected to a second term in November 2022. He will serve as Chairman in 2025.
Ronnie Reese
Ronnie Reese and his wife Vilas reside in the Wittenburg Community. They have 3 children, son Matthew and wife Ashley, daughters Marissa and husband Mark Austin, and Mikayla and husband Dustin Wilson. Grandchildren include McCray, Makenna, and MaKensley Austin, Victoria and Anderson Reese, as well as Rhett, Reese, and River Wilson.
Ronnie is a lifelong resident of Alexander County and owner of KVM Motor Company. He served 8 years on the Alexander County Board of Education which included 8 years on the Budget Committee and 2 years as chairman. He has also served on numerous county committees. Ronnie and Vilas attend Macedonia Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and choir member.
Ronnie was first elected as a County Commissioner in November 2014. He was re-elected in November 2018 and again in November 2022 to fulfill his third term.
Larry Yoder
Vice-Chairman
Larry Yoder and his wife Hazel live in the Taylorsville community. Larry has a son, Alex (A.Y.) Yoder ; a stepson, Alex Godwin and wife Emily; and a stepdaughter, Julia Vaughan and husband Brian. Grandchildren include Rachel and Michael Vaughan, Ava and Jackson Yoder, and Breckon and Rhys Godwin. He is a graduate of Lincolnton High School and attended Western Carolina University, Gaston College, and Catawba Valley Community College.
Larry is a member of First Baptist Church where he has served as Sunday school director and deacon. He is a former member of the Taylorsville Fire Department and former president of the YMCA Management Council, Taylorsville Lion’s Club, Taylorsville Jaycees, Alexander Central Cougar Club and Alexander Central Advisory Committee. Larry is a member and past president of the Brushy Mountain Shrine Club, former chairman of the Alexander County Recreation Committee, and a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Larry previously served as an Alexander County Commissioner from 2004-2016. He was re-elected in November 2018 and again in November 2022. He will serve as Vice-Chairman for 2025.