Terry Yount's daughter appointed as new member of Drexel Board of Aldermen

The April resignation and subsequent death Monday of former Drexel Alderman Terry Yount left a void on the Board of Aldermen — but not for long.

Jennifer Yount, Terry Yount’s daughter, began her term as a member of the board after being sworn in Tuesday evening.

“I’m honored to be chosen to fill in my father’s seat on the Drexel Board of Aldermen and I want to carry on his legacy of service to our community,” Yount said Wednesday afternoon.

Yount said her goal is to see the former Drexel Heritage property developed, attracting industry that will be beneficial to the growth and success of Drexel. She said she would also like to see more improvements to the R.O. Huffman Center as well as the town’s infrastructure.

Yount was chosen out of three other qualified candidates, according to Alderman Scott Coe, who led the process of reviewing applicants. Mayor Dennis Anthony said the board usually forms a committee of three residents and two members of the board to interview applicants. This time, he said the board needed to accelerate the process because of budget season and other issues the board needs to handle.

Coe and Alderman Tim Franklin said that when it came down to making a decision after multiple discussions, it came down to Jennifer having the “it factor.”

“This is one of the most forward-thinking individuals I’ve ever interviewed in my life,” Coe said, “and I’ve done a lot of interviews.”

A graduate of Appalachian State University, Yount has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in psychology.

Yount is a correctional case analyst for the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction at Foothills Correctional Institution in Morganton, according to her resume provided by the town. She has been serving in the role since June 2021 but has been working for the prison since October 2009. She previously worked as a judicial services specialist, judicial services coordinator and correctional program director.

“This is my 29th year of working with the Department of Adult Correction, so I kind of followed my dad’s lead in that area as well,” Yount said. Her father Terry Yount served the Drexel police department for 32 years as an officer and chief of police.

“I played sports at the community center, I attended the fair all my life, played in the park,” Yount said. “I love our town and, you know, just like my father, I never wanted to leave.”

Being born and raised in Drexel, Yount said she has seen a lot of changes over the years and that the town has to adapt to those changes and look forward, while also preserving its heritage and maintaining its sense of community.

“That sense of community is what makes Drexel,” Yount said.

She will serve as the appointed alderman until the municipal election this fall. The seat will be on the November ballot.