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LEADERSHIP FOR A CHANGE A lifetime of hard work . . . A lifetime of dedication to public service and community improvement . . .
Quietly for the past 20 years Rex has been involved in community activities that have led to economic development and community events, improving the quality of life for people in the First District. These efforts have always reflected our way of life and our heritage.
This progressiveness has never been accomplished alone. It has taken a cooperative effort, bringing many people together who share a vision for improving our community.
That is why Rex wants to be the next Delegate for the First District. He understands that true leadership means making decisions for the betterment of everyone. He's one of us, and we can trust him to take the values and vision we share as a community to Richmond. It began on Sinking Creek . . .
In a little community tucked away in the northeastern portion of Scott County, Virginia, Rex McCarty was born the eighth of 12 children to Jack and Alice Shepard McCarty.
Jack was a coal miner and a member of the United Mine Workers of America. He worked nearly 45 years in the mining industry in Appalachia, Virginia, before retiring in 1987. His mother is a housewife and presently lives on the family farm in the Midway Community of Scott County.
Rex's early education began at Dungannon Elementary School where he learned exactly how important education was to success in life. He continued his high school career at Twin Springs High School where he graduated in 1980 and was selected as Mr. Twin Springs by the student body his senior year. He also served as treasurer of his senior class.
Rex planned to follow in his father's footsteps in the mining industry and wanted to attend Mountain Empire Community College. But for a large family the reality of obtaining a college degree was a tough proposition.
During the summers, Rex worked many odd jobs to accumulate enough money to pay his school-related expenses. He recalls fondly his days on the farm of helping Harry Hillman, Delmar Hillman, Jack Jennings and so many others working in tobacco, hay, cattle and sheep. This was in addition to helping his father and brothers raise their own tobacco and cutting timber on the family homestead.
One summer Rex took a job shoveling a beltline inside of a coal mine between Appalachia and Dorchester so he would have enough money to continue his education.
Rex enrolled in the mining technology program at MECC after Perry Carroll, Director of Financial Aid at the college, helped him find loan money to pay tuition and book expenses. Shortly after he had completed the one-year certificate program, Westmoreland Coal Company announced their intentions to layoff 700 workers.
Due to the lack of job prospects in the region and those jobs that were available required a college degree, he returned to MECC to pursue an associate degree in education. During that period, Rex was voted as President of the college's student government association in 1982.
That fall he met the love of his life, Lisa Watson, on the Big Stone Gap campus. The couple married in September 1983 and moved to Knoxville, Tennessee to further Rex's education at the University of Tennessee. He worked at a private elementary school during this time.
They returned to Southwest Virginia in December 1984 where he began working as advertising director at the Powell Valley News. From there, his involvement in civic organizations as a active volunteer for the betterment of his community began.
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We would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who "Joined the Team!"
Congratulations to Tim Kaine on his victory.
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Rex McCarty. All rights reserved. All
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Elect Rex Delegate
