Congressman David Kustoff Meets with West Tennesseans During August District Work Period

MEMPHIS, TN — During the month of August, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN-08) spent the district work period back home in Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District, meeting directly with West Tennesseans and discussing the issues important to communities across the region.

“The heartbeat of America is found in places like West Tennessee,” said Congressman Kustoff. “Last month, I met with farmers, health care providers, manufacturers, law enforcement officers, small business owners, and civic leaders across Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District. Those conversations shape my work in Washington, and I will continue fighting for the West Tennesseans who make our community strong.”

Congressman Kustoff’s August stops and events included:

Shelby County

• FedEx: Met with FedEx President & CEO Raj Subramaniam in Memphis to discuss the logistics company’s vital role in our state and national economy.
• Orgill: Toured Orgill’s state-of-the-art Innovation Center with President & CEO Boyden Moore and learned more about the company’s work supporting independent retailers.
• Epicenter Memphis: Led a roundtable discussion at Epicenter Memphis with Launch Tennessee CEO Lindsey Cox, local entrepreneurs, and startup founders.
• Frederick W. Smith International Airport: Attended the renaming and dedication ceremony for Frederick W. Smith International Airport, honoring FedEx founder Fred Smith.
• International Port of Memphis: Toured the International Port of Memphis with local transportation and economic development leaders, including EDGE Memphis President and CEO Dr. Joann Massey, Executive Director of the Port of Memphis and Vice President of Port and Industrial Properties Randy Richardson, and Port Operations Manager Larry Baker.
• FedEx Freight: Met with FedEx Freight CEO John Smith to discuss the company’s freight transportation operations.
• Medtronic: Toured Medtronic’s Shelby County facility with Site Director Brandon Gentry and discussed the company’s work in spinal, cranial, and surgical technologies.
• Smith+Nephew: Visited Smith+Nephew’s Shelby County manufacturing facility with Oxinium Manufacturing Operations Lead Jasmin Nuhic and met with employees supporting the company’s orthopedic technology portfolio.
• MiCare Path: Met with MiCare Path CEO Scott Laster and John Bobango to discuss the Memphis-based health care technology company’s work in remote patient monitoring.
• Stryker: Met with Stryker Division Counsel Tom McAllister to discuss the company’s Shelby County operations supporting orthopedic trauma and extremities care.
• Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium: Toured the newly renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, home of the Memphis Tigers, with University of Memphis Senior Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Ed Scott and Senior Deputy Athletics Director Tim Duncan.
• Memphis Zoo: Visited the Memphis Zoo and met with President & CEO Matt Thompson and Chief Development Officer Michele Correia about its role as a major Mid-South attraction.
• Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital: Toured Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and met with President Dr. Trey Eubanks, Trauma Program Director Dr. Regan Williams, and members of its leadership team.
• Alliance Healthcare Services: Met with Alliance Healthcare Services CEO Laurie Powell, Board President Quintin Robinson, Shelby County Commissioner Mark Billingsley, who represents District 4, and members of the Alliance Healthcare Services team, a Memphis behavioral health care provider.
• Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition: Met with members of the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition, including Board Member Julie Evert, to discuss efforts to support Tennesseans affected by breast cancer.
• Insurance and Financial Advisors: Met with members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, including Tim Moran, Rebecca Schulter, and Mark Miller of UCL Financial Group, to discuss his work supporting financial professionals and the families they serve.
• Collierville National Night Out: Joined Collierville Police Chief Dale Lane, Town of Collierville Mayor Maureen Fraser, and local residents for National Night Out, an annual event bringing together members of the community and law enforcement.
• Germantown Police Department: Spoke at the swearing-in ceremony for new Germantown police officers Brian Quinn and Cameron Reverts alongside Germantown Municipal Court Judge Robert Brannon, City of Germantown Mayor Mike Palazzolo, and Germantown Police Chief Mike Fisher.
• Sheriff Floyd Bonner Retirement Ceremony: Attended Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner’s retirement ceremony and presented him with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of his 46 years in law enforcement.
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Delivered welcome remarks at the TVA Board of Directors meeting in Memphis and thanked TVA Board Chairman Mitch Graves for his leadership.
• East Memphis Rotary Club: Spoke with East Memphis Rotary Club President Mark Beutelschies, Mike Edwards, and Rotary members about his work supporting Tennessee’s economy and local employers.
• Arlington Chamber of Commerce: Spoke with Arlington Chamber President Tonia Howell, Chamber Board President Chris Willoughby, Town of Arlington Mayor Mike Wissman, and Chamber members about his work supporting local businesses.
• Bartlett Chamber of Commerce: Met with Bartlett Area Chamber President & CEO John Threadgill, City of Bartlett Mayor David Parsons, Chamber leadership, and local officials.
• Tennessee Bankers Association: Spoke to Shelby County bankers about his work on the House Ways and Means Committee.

Tipton County

• Mueller Fittings Company: Toured Mueller Fittings Company with General Manager Kevin Gay and City of Covington Mayor Jan Wade Hensley, visiting the Covington manufacturer of copper fittings for plumbing, HVAC, and industrial use.
• Magnum Ice Cream: Toured the Magnum Ice Cream factory in Tipton County with Head of Factory Andres Borrero.
• Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton: Toured Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton and met with CFO Carlos Mendoza, Administrator for Quality and Compliance Madalyn Mason, Director of HR Myra Cousar, and hospital leadership.

Madison County

• Tennessee Bankers Association: Spoke with Madison County bankers at an event hosted by Tennessee Bankers Association President Colin Barrett about the One Big Beautiful Bill and his work to support West Tennessee’s financial institutions.
• Stanley Black & Decker: Toured Stanley Black & Decker’s Madison County facility and met with Plant Manager Nichole Hally, Distribution Site Leader David Eastman, and the manufacturing team.
• Mars Snacking: Visited Mars Snacking’s Jackson site and met with Plant Director Bryan Sparks, HR Director Laura Borchardt, Public Affairs Director Carlos Monje, and the team at the food manufacturing facility.
• Volunteer Ag Services: Joined farmer John Verell and Tennessee State Representative Chris Todd, who represents House District 73, at the Brandon Karcher Memorial Field Day hosted by Volunteer Ag Services, an agricultural services company supporting farmers across the region.
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Tennessee: Toured Toyota’s Jackson facility and met with Toyota Motor Manufacturing Tennessee President Todd Williams, Regional Director William Downey, Plant Manager Scott Hastings, Senior Manager of HR Jason Bates, and the automotive manufacturer’s West Tennessee team.
• Dynamix Physical Therapy: Toured Dynamix Physical Therapy with Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer Heath Ladd, Chief Clinical Officer Nick Nordtvedt, and members of the team at the local physical therapy provider in Madison County.
• Dream Center: Toured the Dream Center with Tennessee State Senator Ed Jackson, who represents Senate District 25, Executive Director Gail Gustafson, and Assistant Director Robin Apelgren. The Dream Center is a nonprofit helping women and mothers with children overcome homelessness in Madison County.
• AARP: Met with AARP Associate State Director of Advocacy Makayla McCree and AARP team leaders Gwen Ragland and Gary Ragland to discuss advocacy for seniors across West Tennessee.
• GenPac: Visited GenPac, a family-owned packaging business based in Madison County, and met with GenPac President Charles Woodside.
• Judge Steven W. Maroney Investiture: Spoke at the investiture ceremony for Judge Steven W. Maroney’s appointment to the Tennessee Court of Appeals, Western Section, alongside Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, and congratulated Judge Maroney, Holly, and their family.
• Lane College: Attended the investiture of Dr. Donald W. Comer as the 11th President of Lane College alongside Madison County Mayor AJ Massey and City of Jackson Mayor Scott Conger.

Gibson County

• Gibson County Farm Bureau: Joined Gibson County Farm Bureau County President Justin Pope, Tennessee Farm Bureau Director-at-Large Todd Littleton, UT Institute of Agriculture Senior Vice Chancellor and Senior Vice President Dr. Keith Carver, and local agriculture leaders for a discussion on issues affecting West Tennessee farmers.
• WHMc Gun Shop: Visited Lance Sherer, owner of WHMc Gun Shop, a local firearms business in Gibson County, to discuss federal firearms regulations and his work to eliminate the federal suppressor tax.

Crockett County

• Direct Customer Solutions: Toured Direct Customer Solutions, a pharmaceutical logistics company in Crockett County, and met with Direct Customer Solutions President Steve Shirley, Executive Vice President Jesse Walters, and company leadership.
• Mayor Gary Reasons Retirement Celebration: Attended Crockett County Mayor Gary Reasons’ retirement celebration and presented him with a certificate recognizing his 42 years of service.

Chester County

• Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center: Visited the Exchange Club Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse and met with Director Kirby Fahs, Vice President Delanie Bottoms, and its leadership.
• Jones Contractors: Met with Jones Contractors Vice President of Finance Patricia Jones and the team at the West Tennessee contractor specializing in pipeline and energy infrastructure.
• Henderson-Chester County Chamber of Commerce: Spoke with Chamber President Craig Casey, Vice President Heather Griffin, Executive Director Blake Hopper, Chamber members, and local business leaders about his work on the House Ways and Means Committee to support small businesses.
• Local Health Care and Business Meetings: Met with health care providers Dr. Carey Frix and Dr. Nicole Jennings at Frix-Jennings Clinic, Chad Cherry and Eddie Cherry of Cherry & Son Sales, and Chester County cattle producers Todd Terry and Don Terry.

Henderson County

• Scotts Hill High School: Spoke with Tennessee Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Bryan Wright, Libby Wilson, and West Tennessee farmers about the Farm Bill and his work in Washington to support the agriculture industry.
• Henderson County Sheriff’s Office: Met with retiring Henderson County Sheriff Brian Duke and presented him with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol to thank him for his 20 years of service to Henderson County.

After a month of meetings across TN-08, Congressman Kustoff remains committed to listening to West Tennesseans and advocating for their priorities in Congress.

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