CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Following the resignation of District 8 County Commissioner Tangi Smith, the Montgomery County Commission will nominate and vote on candidates for the position at their next meeting Monday night.
Since Smith announced her resignation last month to focus on her family and health, those interested in filling the vacant position have had the opportunity to apply. Whichever candidate is chosen will fulfill the remainder of the term through August 2026.
Here are the candidates who have applied, in alphabetical order by last name:
LaTonia M. Brown
LaTonia Brown is an Army veteran with over a decade of service. She served as an OH-58D aircraft repairer and orderly room clerk at Fort Campbell. Brown has served as a volunteer for years, including as a youth baseball/softball coach for City of Clarksville Parks and Recreation.
She holds an associate of science degree in science from Hopkinsville State Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Bethel University.
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David R. Forbes
David Forbes is a finance professional with experience in financial analysis, corporate reorganization and securities processing. He also held the position of signals intelligence/electronic warfare site chief in the Army. Forbes works as a securities supervisor for JP Morgan Chase Bank and has also held positions such as corporate action supervisor, team lead and senior reorganization analyst with the organization as well.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Maryland, as well as an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Brandon Lee Kling
Brandon Lee Kling is a disabled veteran of both the Marine Corps and the Army, having served honorably from 2000-2013. This included multiple deployments, including to Iraq and Afghanistan, he said. Kling works as a classification and compensation analyst with APSU but has also held a number of government jobs. This includes as a human resources program manager with Tennessee State Government and as a human resources coordinator with the City of Clarksville.
Kling holds a bachelor’s degree of business administration and an MBA from the American Intercontinental University.
Ronald J. Sokol
Ronald Sokol previously served on the commission for District 8 from 2002-2018. He is retired from the Army after 26 years of service in the Military Police and has held a number of government jobs. After retiring from the Army, he worked as a volunteer deputy for the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, as well as a judicial magistrate for Montgomery County and a Tennessee state parole officer.
Sokol holds an associate’s degree in law enforcement from the University of Kentucky and a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Austin Peay State University.
What’s next
The County Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, March 17, and will nominate and vote on the set of candidates. Candidates can also be nominated from the floor at the commission meeting, according to Montgomery County spokeswoman Michelle Hueffmeier.
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