Legacies in Leadership: Three Tennessee County Mayors/Executives Share Lessons They've Learned with 100+ Years of Experience Between Them

In this special edition of Tennessee County Voice, we step away from the studio and into a packed breakfast session from this year's TCSA Legislative Conference. The panel, "Legacies in Leadership," brings together three county executives with a combined century of experience: Sevier County Mayor Larry Waters, Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman, and Dickson County Mayor Bob Rial — all set to retire when their terms end on August 31, 2026. TCSA Executive Director David Conner leads a candid, often funny conversation covering how county government has transformed from a handful of staffers to multimillion-dollar operations, why collaboration beats command in the "weak mayor" system, the toughest unexpected challenges of their careers — from industrial booms to wildfires — and the one piece of advice each of them is leaving behind for the next generation of county leaders. Whether you're a county official, a community member, or just curious what it takes to lead a Tennessee county for decades, this episode is a rare, unscripted look at what real public service looks like over the long haul. For more information, visit www.tncounties.org ©️ 2026 Tennessee County Services Association For more information, visit www.tncounties.org