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Estes Named as New Administrator for Elections
Estes
Dustin Estes

 

 

The DeKalb County Election Commission has announced its choice for the new Administrator of Elections. The commission's voted on the position during its regular meeting last Monday evening.

 

A majority vote of the five-member commission chose 33-year-old Dustin Estes of Smithville to succeed current Administrator Dennis Stanley. Stanley, who has served as Administrator for the past 14 years, recently announced his resignation effective September 2.

 

“I am very excited," Estes said after the meeting. "It’s an opportunity that I have been looking forward to for quite a while. I just appreciate everyone’s vote this evening and I am looking forward to getting started."

 

First off, I'd like to learn the job, the ins and outs. That's day one, but I do have some long-term visions that I am thinking about, and I want to work with other local election administrators to get their input on what’s working for them so we can better implement those in DeKalb County,” he continued.

 

Estes said he is a lifelong resident of DeKalb County, graduating from DCHS before earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from MTSU. He is married to Courtney (Rice) and together they have a 15-month-old daughter, Wyatt Estes. Dustin said the couple are expecting another baby in February. He currently works at Shiroki where he serves as Human Resources (HR Generalist).

 

Estes was chosen from three candidates in the running for the position.  Tina Gee, who has worked as Stanley’s deputy administrator in the office for several years, and Roger Sharp, Jr., a computer tech for the election commission and a former computer tech for the DeKalb County School District.

 

All three names were placed in nomination during the meeting and a roll call vote of the five commissioners determined the outcome. Commissioners Loree Hall, Ron Sifford, and Chairman Brandon Gay voted for Estes, while Commissioners Kim Luton and Yvette Carver passed.

 

"I'm just very excited for this opportunity," Estes concluded. "It's a really big deal for me and my family, and I'm looking forward to taking that next step in our journey."