Kenneth Stephens Running for County Commission

Kenneth Stephens has announced that he will seek the Office of County Commissioner District Five in Jackson County.

Stephens grew up in Grand Ridge and developed a love for the land while working summers on his uncle's farms and with other local farmers. After graduating from Grand Ridge High School in 1972, he worked for various road construction companies and then went to work for his Dad in 1976 running heavy equipment and clearing land. He bought his first piece of heavy equipment in 1978 and went into business for himself.

Today his business is known as Stephens Equipment LLC. Through the course of his business, he has worked for and met the farming community of Jackson County learning to appreciate their concerns and struggles. Stephens Equipment LLC is presently in its 30th year and now not only serves the farming community, but has expanded to include the residential and commercial market with various services.

He believe that his experience with earth moving, erosion control and road building will be an asset to the road maintenance program. He states that his personal experience in developing residential properties could serve well for growth and development that Jackson County is currently experiencing. He states that he knows and understands District Five in this capacity.

Stephens has seven years municipal experience serving as Councilman and Mayor for the Town of Grand Ridge. His experience working with the Town of Grand Ridge in local government has provided opportunity to help make decisioins concerning infratructure needs for the community as well as various citizens and commercial needs. He believes the experience gained dealing with zoning and development will be extremely valuable in this role. The combination of a successful land development business and municipal experience he says has helped prepare him to serve as a County Commissioner.

Stephens and his wife, Vickie, an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner who works at Florida State Hospital, reside in Grand Ridge. They have three children and six grandchildren. He is a member of Cypress Grove Assembly of God Church.