Joe D. Bailey has run his own marketing and government relations consulting business since October 1999, specializing in hands-on legislative advocacy and governmental affairs services at the federal and state levels.
Mr. Bailey was elected vice mayor of the city of Knoxville on Feb. 3, 2011. He has served on the Knoxville City Council as an at-large member since November 2003. He was elected to a four-year term that year and re-elected in 2007.
Mr. Bailey has been involved in mainstream national politics since 1984. He worked on President Ronald Reagan’s re-election campaign as an advance man, preparing presidential and vice presidential campaign trips throughout the United States. Also, he advanced campaign tours for cabinet members and members of the United States Congress.
In February 1986, Mr. Bailey served as director of operations for Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole’s Political Action Committee, Campaign America. Mr. Bailey was responsible for creating and executing nationwide political events.
Mr. Bailey joined Vice President George H.W. Bush’s presidential campaign in June 1987. He worked on the Bush campaign in numerous capacities, including Florida field coordinator and lead advance man for vice presidential nominee Dan Quayle.
Mr. Bailey served in the Reagan and Bush administrations at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Energy. He also has worked in official capacities at two presidential inaugurals. Mr. Bailey has performed management duties at four Republican National Conventions.
In 1994, he joined the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) as Washington representative. Mr. Bailey managed annual appropriations, congressional hearings and board member confirmations and was responsible for major legislative initiatives. In 1998, he became valley relations manager for TVA in Knoxville.
Mr. Bailey and his wife Miechelle have two daughters, Reagan and Sloane, and a son, Brooks. The Baileys are members of the Laurel Church of Christ and are active with numerous charities and organizations in the Knoxville community.