2025-2027 Executive Officers
Chairman, Ernie Ball
Ernie Ball and his wife retired to Fentress County from Colorado in 2018, choosing our community as the place they would call home. Since arriving in Fentress County, Ernie has become deeply involved in the community and in organizations that reflect his commitment to service, patriotism, and conservative values.
Ernie is a U.S. Navy veteran, having served aboard a nuclear submarine from 1974 to 1990. He retired as a Chief Machinist's Mate (CMM), a senior enlisted leader responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance, and repair of critical shipboard machinery and equipment. His years of military service instilled in him the discipline, leadership, responsibility, and dedication that continue to guide his service today.
Ernie also serves as Historian for our local American Legion and as Secretary for the Submarine Veterans, continuing his commitment to honoring veterans and preserving the history of those who have served our country.
Leading the Fentress County Republican Party
Ernie serves as Chairman of the Fentress County Republican Party, a position he sought because he wanted to help keep conservative values strong in Fentress County while encouraging and engaging the next generation of Republicans.
As Chairman, Ernie has worked to build a stronger, more organized local Republican Party and to encourage Republicans throughout Fentress County to become involved. He understands that preserving conservative values requires more than words—it requires people who are willing to step forward, work together, and serve their community.
Ernie's military background, leadership experience, and commitment to conservative principles have made him an important part of the Fentress County Republican Party. He continues to dedicate his time and energy to strengthening the party, supporting Republican candidates, and helping ensure that Fentress County remains a community where conservative values have a strong voice.rs? Say it here.
Secretary, David Melcher
David Melcher moved to Fentress County from California in 2020 and quickly became invested in the community he now proudly calls home. A faithful Republican since first voting for Ronald Reagan in 1980, David has a long-standing commitment to conservative principles, personal responsibility, faith, family, and service.
David is a local businessman and entrepreneur, owning and operating Pine Crest Self Storage and Mobile Home Park in Grimsley. Through his business experience, David understands the importance of hard work, responsible management, accountability, and serving the needs of the people in his community.
David and his wife, Nola, have been married for 20 years. Between them, they have seven children and more than 40 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Three of their grandsons currently serve in the military, giving David and his family a deep appreciation for those who serve our country.
Commitment to Education
In 2026, David ran for Fentress County School Board, District 4. Although he was not elected, his campaign reflected his commitment to students, parents, teachers, academic excellence, school safety, parental involvement, and accountability. His desire to serve the families of Fentress County continues today through the Rotary and Republican Party.
Serving Fentress County
David currently serves as Secretary of the Fentress County Republican Party, where he continues to dedicate his time, experience, and energy to strengthening the local party and supporting conservative candidates and values.
His hard work and dedication were especially evident through his service as Chairman of the Reagan Day Dinner Committee. David took an active leadership role in organizing the event, coordinating details, working with volunteers and supporters, and helping bring the celebration together successfully. The success of the Reagan Day Dinner demonstrated David's willingness to roll up his sleeves, work with others, and follow a project through to completion.
For David, serving Fentress County is not simply about holding a title. It is about showing up, doing the work, supporting his community, and helping build a stronger future for the people who call Fentress County home.
Treasurer, Troy Hardy
Troy Hardy and his wife, Karen, moved to Wilder in July 2024 from Kenosha, Wisconsin, and quickly embraced their new home and community. A retired teacher, Troy and Karen enjoy the mountain life and have become active members of the Fentress County community.
Troy became involved with the Fentress County Republican Party because he wanted to be more active in his community and help promote the conservative values that are important to him. Today, he serves as Treasurer of the Fentress County Republican Party and has become a vital member of the party's executive team.
Dedicated to Doing the Work
During this past year, Troy has worked diligently to update and organize the party's finances, keeping the organization in line with state party requirements while maintaining excellent and accurate financial records. His attention to detail, reliability, and willingness to take on the work behind the scenes have made him an important part of the party's operations.
Troy also played a key role in the success of the Reagan Day Dinner, coordinating the Silent Auction and overseeing the many details necessary to make it successful. He did a fantastic job bringing the auction together and demonstrated the same organization, dependability, and dedication that he brings to his role as Treasurer.
Troy stays actively connected with local elected officials and politicians, helping maintain communication between the Fentress County Republican Party and those serving our community and state.
His willingness to step up, organize, and simply get the job done has made Troy a valued member of the Fentress County Republican Party. His continued service reflects his genuine commitment to his community and to preserving and promoting conservative values in Fentress County.
Vice Chair, Mary Gail
Mary Gail and her husband, Stew, retired to Fentress County from Alaska in 2014. Since making Fentress County their home, Mary Gail has become deeply involved in the community and committed to preserving the values and character that make our county special.
Mary currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Fentress County Republican Party, where she works alongside the County Executive Committee to promote conservative values, encourage community involvement, support Republican candidates, and help build a stronger and more active local Republican Party.
Supporting LIFE
One of Mary's most meaningful areas of community involvement has been her work supporting LIFE in Fentress County. She and Stew were instrumental in helping bring a Safe Haven Baby Box to the Jamestown Ambulance Center, providing a safe and anonymous option for a mother who is unable to care for a newborn. Mary and her husband, Stew have also been actively involved in Sarah's Garden, A Memorial for the Unborn, helping preserve and care for this special local memorial.
Working Hard
As Vice Chairman, Mary has taken an active role in expanding the party's presence online and through social media. She has worked to improve communication with residents, share important local and political information, promote Republican events and candidates, and give the party a stronger voice in the community.
She also took on the challenge of creating and maintaining a professional website for the Fentress County Republican Party. Mary has continued to develop the website, adding regular updates, improving its appearance and functionality, and finding new ways to make information more accessible to the people of Fentress County. She continues to learn and improve the site as technology and the needs of the party change.
Mary believes strongly in transparency, openness, and responsible leadership. She believes a local Republican Party should be accessible to the people it represents and should provide accurate, timely information while giving residents opportunities to become involved in their community.
As a proud Fentress County resident, Mary Gail remains committed to conservative principles, protecting life, promoting transparency, strengthening communication, and preserving the small-town values that make Fentress County home.
Vice Treasurer, Ann Gray
Ann Gray moved to Fentress County from Ohio with her husband, Chuck, in 2002. What began as a move to make Fentress County their home became a long-term commitment to the community and to the conservative values that make this county special.
After the passing of her husband, Chuck, in 2005, Ann continued to build her life and her roots in Fentress County. She has remained an active and dedicated member of the Fentress County Republican Party for many years.
A History of Service
Ann has a long history of service and leadership within the local Republican Party. She previously served as the party's communications person from 2016 through 2021, helping keep members and the community informed. She also served as Treasurer from September 2019 through April 2021, bringing her organizational skills and experience to the financial responsibilities of the party.
Today, Ann continues that tradition of service as Vice-Treasurer of the Fentress County Republican Party. In addition to her responsibilities as Vice-Treasurer, Ann plays an important role in the day-to-day operation of party meetings. She checks members in at meetings, helping maintain accurate attendance and making sure everyone is welcomed and accounted for.
Going above and Beyond
Due to her pas technical experience, Ann is also working to improve the party's communication with its members by developing a more professional meeting reminder and email system. Ann is working on providing members with timely, organized reminders and important information before meetings, making it easier for everyone to stay informed and involved.
Ann believes that a strong local Republican Party depends on dedicated volunteers, responsible leadership, good communication, and a commitment to conservative principles. She understands that building a successful organization takes people who are willing to do the work—not just during election years, but throughout the year.
With more than two decades as a Fentress County resident and years of experience serving the local Republican Party, Ann brings experience, dependability, organizational knowledge, and a genuine commitment to her community to her role as Vice-Treasurer.
Ann is proud to continue serving Fentress County and the Fentress County Republican Party, helping preserve the conservative values of our community while working to make the local party more organized, more accessible, and more connected to the people it represents.