Sweet Union June 2023 Meeting

Chairman J.R. Rowell was appointed to fill the vacancy on the Board of Commissioners in October 2023 due to the untimely passing of Chairman Stony D. Rushing. Rowell served as Clerk of Superior Court for Union County from 2006-2022 before retiring. Before being elected as Clerk of Superior Court, Rowell served as a trooper, sergeant, and first sergeant for the North Carolina Highway Patrol. Through his tenure with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Union County Clerk of Superior Court, Rowell has showcased his exceptional ability to lead people through stressful situations and balance the needs of a large organization.  

Rowell, a Union County native, is a graduate of Parkwood High School, Central Piedmont Community College (A.A.S.), Gardner-Webb University (B.S.), and Pfeiffer University (M.S.). He shared 22 years of marriage with the late Rita Rowell until her passing. He is the father of a grown daughter and son and grandfather to three young grandsons. Rowell is a devoted member of the West Monroe Baptist Church, where he has served as a deacon, usher, and part of the security team. 

Rowell’s ability to communicate, empathize and collaborate with various stakeholders makes him a trusted and approachable figure within the community.

Vice Chairman Brian Helms was elected to the Union County Board of Commissioners in November 2022. He is a lifelong resident of Union County and graduate of Piedmont High School. Helms is a husband and a father of two children, both of whom are currently enrolled in Union County Public Schools.  

Commissioner Helms has been employed by a local manufacturing company for over 24 years. In addition to a strong background in project management, he manages a training program with nationwide reach. His responsibilities include developing budgets and assessing risk and ROI for company projects. Helms supports education at all levels and holds active Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) and Corporate Trainer Certified (CTC) professional credentials. He attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His passion for education was partly inspired by his grandfather who taught Agriculture in UCPS.

Commissioner Helms believes in traditional conservative values, hard work and common-sense policy. He believes in limited government that works for the people and that is accountable to the people.