My Current Public Involvement (August 9th)
- Todd A. McKinley
- Jan 16
- 4 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
From time to time, I feel it's important to update the public as to what organizations and activities I particiapte in. I do this, because I feel I have an implied duty to do so. Take a look, if interested in knowing more, feel free to reach out anytime.
My current public involvement is correct as of August 9th, 2026.
Ways to contact or find out more about me.
Public Office
Sullivan County Board of Education, District 5 Representative (September 1st, 2024 - Present)
Member: Sick Leave Committee
Member: Collaborative Conferencing Committee
Delegate: Tennessee School Board Association Convention (2025)
Email me anytime: todd.mckinley@sullivank12.net
Scholarship
The Todd A. McKinley Scholarship
I've offered this scholarship since the last year of my high school, Sullivan North closed.
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Veterans Service & Advocacy
American Legion Department of Tennessee Immediate Past Commander (June 28th, 2026 - Present)
As the Immediate Past Department (State) Commander, I still serve as a member of the Department Executive Committee (DEC) and for the time being will remain on the Department Legislative Committee as a Liason to Congresswoman Dianna Harshbarger and also serve as the first ever Department Special Projects Chairman. This means I'll be coordinating Be The One days in all 95 counties and will ensure the state legislature passes a joint resolution recognizing Be The One Day during next year's Legion Family Day on the Hill, which I'll also be coordinating.
Nationally, I'm a member of the National Security Commission: Conventional Armed Forces Committee, as well as the National Legislative Council for the 119th Congress for TN-01 U.S. House District and was named National Member of the Week on six occasions, April 6th, 2023, April 12th, 2024, May 17th, 2024, June 14th, 2024, May 1st, 2026, & July 3rd, 2026.
Take a look at the links below to learn more about what we're working on, but especially reach out if interested in joining.
American Legion Hammond Post 3 1st Vice Commander (July 22nd, 2026 - Present)
As the 1st Vice Commander, I'm first in the line of succession and I'm responsible for membership, run meetings in the Commander's absence or when called upon. In this capacity, I advise the Commander on a range of programs and issues facing the Post and our members and I'm part of the Post Executive Committee and handle local media interviews and inquiries.
Monthly Meeting
We meet every 3rd Monday at 6 P.M. In the 2nd Floor Conference Room Of the V.O. Dobbins Community Center.
VO Dobbins Community Center
301 Louis Street, Ste 301
Kingsport, TN 37660
Political Commentary
The Common Sense Conservatives:
I co-host The Common Sense Conservatives, which is a terrestrial Radio (AM & FM) show, that's streamed and released as a podcast. (Live every Wednesday from 7 to 9 PM Eastern). "We make sense of the inverted reality we are subject to every day, The Common Sense Conservatives are here to help bring you back to reality…..Hosts, Chris Wyatt, Todd McKinley, and John Grosvenor." Watch or listen live or at your convenience at the following links.
The Tennessee Conservative
I began cointributiong articles on May 18th, 2026.
Civic Advocacy
Host: Northeast Tennessee Community Roundtable:
This is a revamp of my old Veterans Coffee Roundtable. The reason I've decided to revamp the name was I feel many outside Veteran Service Organization circles didn't know the public was invited, not just Veterans. Also, I want to make this a true civics meeting with a simple format that will hopefully grow and one that doesn't trade on the name Veteran.
Since retiring the Veterans Coffee Roundtable name last year, I've had dozens of people ask me if I'm going to restart it, or do something else. Well, I'm doing something similar but I'm looking to expand the reach and make civic life important again, which necessitated the name change.
Books
Author: Those Left Behind: Veterans Suicide and My late best Friend Brad Bush
"Those Left Behind: Veteran Suicide and my Late Best Friend Brad Bush" is available on Amazon. The book is dedicated to the memory of my late best friend, fellow Army Veteran and Paratrooper Bradley J. Bush (March 11th, 1975-December 24th, 2017), who committed suicide on Christmas Eve 2017, and the memory of every Veteran who’s committed suicide, and their families. www.forevermissed.com/brad-bush/about
My goal is to sell at least 1K copies. All proceeds go to support the American Legion Department of Tennessee's, purchase your today. Also, read more abut the Be the One Commission I'm trying to help fund.
"The No-Fail Mission: The Men and Women Behind the Presidential Service Badge II,”
I didn't write this book, but I did sit for an interview, which is now included as a chapter in this upcoming book, read more at the link below and consider purchasing.
“VOLS: Veterans Offering Lifelong Service”
Todd A. McKinley, BA, MSL
SFC, USA-Ret.
