A lifelong Tate Countian who has spent the last 22 years serving others, has decided to serve his county in a new way.
Senatobia Fire & Rescue Fireman Zander Billingsley has announced his decision to run for the Tate County District 4 Supervisor seat.
Billingsley grew up on a farm in Tate County with his parents, Alexander and Millie Billingsley. He also has one brother, Derrick. Zander graduated from Senatobia High School before attending Northwest Mississippi Community College.
After college Billingsley started his own sheet rocking company which he ran for nearly 15 years; however, he never really left his roots in farming or family and returned to the farm and dirt work.
In 1996, Billingsley began his fireman career by volunteering with the Senatobia Fire Department. It soon turned into a career, and Billingsley has served the last 19 years as a shift captain with the department.
Being a first responder wasn’t enough and Billingsley stayed a busy man by continuing to run the farm with his family.
In January 2017, Billingsley was named the 2016 Tate County Cooperator of the Year by the Tate County Soil and Water Conservation District for practicing excellent conservation efforts while caring for his land.
“The majority of my life as a business owner and captain at the firehouse, I have had to use leadership skills, work with others, make business decisions and problem solve. These are the things I’m comfortable with after years of practicing and doing,” said Billingsley.
According to Billingsley, it is time to take his leadership skills and serve the people of Tate County in the position of Supervisor.
“I began thinking of running for Supervisor several years ago, and I, as well as my family, believe now is the time,” he said.
Billingsley married fellow Tate County native, Stephanie Johnson, daughter of Jim and Pat Johnson. Zander and Stephanie have been married 26 years. Stephanie serves as a hero in a different way as a registered nurse. The couple have two children. Abby, 23, followed in her mother’s footsteps and has a BSN in nursing. Landon, 19, took after his family roots and works the family farm. Billingsley and his family are members of First Baptist Church of Senatobia.
“I live in District 4, but Tate County is my home. If elected, I plan to look at Tate County as a whole. I hope other Supervisors will as well,” he said.
With his history, Billingsley plans to help first responders in the county.
“Being a first responder myself, if elected Supervisor first responders will be a priority,” he said. “It is very important to me that first responders of Tate County work together which in turn will greatly improve citizen’s safety and make Tate County as safe as possible for our families. First responders are an important integral part of Tate County and deserve every resource available to help make their job safer.”
First responders aren’t the only thing Billingsley pledges to improve.
“I would also work to improve our school system to ensure our children’s education and safety,” he said. “I also plan to continue to improve our roads and lower our taxes.”
Billingsley believes economic growth would benefit Tate County.
“I believe growing our commercial district in Tate County would help to ensure lower taxes,” Billingsley said.
With his deep ties in farming and family in Tate County, Billingsley said he’s looking to the future.
“I want to make Tate County better for my family and for yours. We’re in this together.”
