As Putnam County Mayor since 2014, Randy Porter brings over 40 years of leadership and technical experience to Putnam County. Mayor Porter’s conservative Christian values are the backbone of his leadership style. Randy’s campaign promise to the county in 2014 was to be the most transparent and hardest working mayor Putnam county has ever had. Today he continues to strive and deliver on that same promise.
Randy began working for Putnam County in 1980 as a Paramedic. In 1983 he was promoted to Emergency Medical Services/911 Director and served in that capacity for 30 years. During that same time frame, he also served stints as County Coroner, Infectious Disease Program Administrator and Technology Director. Randy’s emergency management experience has proven to be invaluable, allowing him to lead Putnam County through major natural disasters like the 2020 EF-4 Tornado, and historical ice storms in 2015 and 2021.
As EMS/911 Director, Randy also served on several State Boards including the State Emergency Medical Services Board as Chairman and the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board for 18 years with 16 of those as Chairman. In his position as County Mayor, he serves on many local and regional boards including: Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Authority, Upper Cumberland Development District, UCHRA, Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center, Joint Economic and Community Development, Cookeville CityScape, Vocational Rehabilitation, as well as the Chief Local Elected Official (CLEO) for Upper Cumberland Regional Workforce Development.
One of Porter’s most cherished accomplishments was being on the original steering committee that brought Enhanced 911 to Putnam County in 1988. Randy was the first Chairman of the Putnam County Emergency Communications District Board which oversees all 911 operations in our county. Randy served as chairman of the board until 1991 when he became the 911 Executive Director.
Mayor Porter is committed to making Putnam County the strongest and best it can be. Since taking office in 2014, Putnam County has seen major growth with over 6,000 new jobs, multiple new international and national companies moving here, along with major retail expansion including the new $50 million Shoppes at Eagle Point, new Target and Home Depot under construction and many smaller businesses. Additionally the county has experienced a residential building boom with over 2,200 new homes being built since 2015, with 2025 being a record year for construction with $103 million in permits. In December 2018, Mayor Porter announced the largest project in Putnam County history with luxury tile manufacturer Portobello investing $250 million in a new manufacturing, distribution and corporate headquarters, and bringing with it 230 new jobs.
Porter sees Tourism as another proponent for the betterment of the county. Tourism brings in Hotel/Motel tax and sales tax from visitors which helps keep property taxes low for our residents. In 2024, the County took over the Visitor’s Bureau and made it a county department. The addition of this department provides expertise in promoting Putnam County and all it has to offer our visitors.
Currently Randy is overseeing the construction of the new Event Center on Tennessee Ave which will house the Putnam County Convention Center, Expo Center and new Fairgrounds. The Convention Center opened in February 2025 and is already booked every weekend in 2026. Construction on the new Expo Center is expected this spring. The new Event Center was made possible by over $11 million in state grants, with the rest coming from Hotel tax and Sales tax. The center is expected to bring in national events which will boost tourism dollars for our local hotels, restaurants and businesses. The Event Center will be managed by the new Tourism Department.
During Porter’s tenure, Putnam County’s financial status has increased dramatically. During the period of very low interest rates, all of Putnam’s debt was refinanced saving millions of dollars in interest costs. Randy has also worked with the Commission to increase the County’s reserve funds making the county’s financial health maybe the best it has ever been. Putnam County also maintains a AA2 bond rating, the 2nd highest in the state, which saves the county on interest when issuing new bonds.
Randy, a longtime resident of Putnam County, has two College Degrees, one in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting and the other in Applied Science (Paramedic) from Volunteer State College, with Extended Studies in Business at Tennessee Tech University. He is a Certified Public Administrator and is the first County Mayor in Tennessee to become a “Certified County Financial Officer” a new designation made by the State Comptroller’s office.
Randy has been married to his wife, Melanie, for 38 years. They have one daughter, Paige, and a granddaughter, Avery. Randy and Melanie attend Scott Avenue Baptist Church where he serves as Chairman of the Deacons and Treasurer.