John Sams
Biography/Leadership Experience/Community Involvement:
1992-Present—Since we moved to Chowan County
1992 -- Retired as a Navy Commander and moved to Chowan County with wife (of now 37 years)
Robin Dahl Sams, owner of downtown
Edenton business
--Robin Sams Gallery (since 1998)
Past Chairman (8 years) Board of Trustees, and Treasurer of Center
Hill
United
Methodist Church
Driver and delivery person,
Center Hill Meals on Wheels Program (10 years)
Past President (2 years) Ryland Ruritan Club
Past Commodore (3 years) Edenton Yacht Club
Charter member of the Rocky Hock Lions Club.
Past President (3 years) Chowan-Perquimans Habitat for Humanity
Current Treasurer (2nd year) – Chowan-Perquimans Habitat for Humanity
2006 -- Led effort to establish the Chowan Affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation (NCCF) (http://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/section/chowan), an organization that permits donor directed endowments to specified charities in perpetuity -- with minimal cost and red tape
2006 -- Established the Ann L. Sams Endowment to the NCCF and the future John L. and Robin D. Sams Endowment to benefit the people of Edenton and Chowan County. Annual grants are made in the community by a local Board of Directors
2008-2009 -- Led fundraising and administrative effort resulting in the construction of the new Habitat for Humanity ReStore (http://cph4h.albemarlecommunity.org/) This thrift store provides a way to raise money to build more Habitat homes, gives low income folks a place to buy home center items at bargain prices, and allows the community a way to locally donate unused items and receive charity deductions on their income taxes.
1947--1965
Born: May 31,
1947 in Statesville, Iredell County, NC
Oldest of 4 children
Father was born in Winston Salem, NC--Sams family were
from the mountains of North Carolina, near Mars Hill
Mother was born in Scotland Neck, NC--Lawrence, Shaw, and
Bonner families from coastal NC, Washington/Aurora area
-- Lawrence ancestors lived on the Chowan River before
Chowan County was formed
Graduated in top 10% of Statesville High School class of 1965
--All conference Basketball player
--Drum major/saxophone player in band
1965--1989
Military
experience:
1965--- Joined US Navy upon high school graduation
Graduated in top 10% of U. S. Naval Academy class of 1969
Designated a surface ship line officer:
1969-72 USS Benjamin Stoddert DDG-22 Pearl Harbor—deployed
twice to Viet Nam
Navigator: supervising 10
Fire Control Officer: supervising 25
1972-73 Commander, USS Tucumcari PGH-2 (a hydrofoil)
with a crew of 12
Commander, PTF-23 (PT Boat) crew of 10
1974-78 USS Kinkaid DD-965—
-- Weapons Officer: supervising 80
1978 Designated a naval intelligence officer
-- Assigned Top Secret SCI security clearance
(the highest US level)
1978-81 Intelligence Officer, USS Nassau, LHA-4
supervising 15
1981-83 Fleet Intelligence Center, Atlantic Fleet
supervising 40
1984-86 Joint Intelligence Center, Europe, Germany supervising
60
1987-1989 Carrier Intelligence Officer for USS Carl Vinson
CVN70--supervising 40
1989 Retired from Navy with the rank of
Commander
Spare Time Activities/Hobbies:
Boating—both power and sail—including cruising to Maine, Bahamas,
Hudson River/ Erie Canal and Lake Ontario
RV trips—have been to Canada, Florida, Santa Fe
Licensed Private pilot, Instrument rated/ CFII, multi-engine rating
Certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver
Computer skills (self taught) designed website www.robinsams.com
Architectural drafting—designed plans for additions to 3 houses
Construction—participated in building 8 Habitat houses
My wife and I built most (70%) of 848 Dillard’s Mill Road
In 2009 Constructed an Optimist dinghy from scratch for fun
Reading--primarily non fiction
I wash all clothes and dishes at our house!
I have lived for varying periods of time in the following locations:
Statesville, NC Annapolis, MD
Virginia Beach, VA Newport RI
Dam Neck, VA Honolulu, Hawaii
Key West, FL Norfolk VA
San Diego CA Pascagoula MS
Denver CO Stuttgart, Germany
Alameda, CA Long Beach CA
In town Edenton and on a
farm in Chowan County
Summary: I have lived in many places and done a lot of things. I have seen what works and what doesn't, both in practical situations encountered in daily life and in practical observations of local governments around the country. I have served and continue to serve in a variety of leadership positions, and am comfortable in most any situation. I consider myself to be logical and practical, and have a lifetime record of successful problem solving. I have NO desire to be--and
WILL NOT BE-- a politician like so many I have encountered through the years.
I am a registered Libertarian, which by definition means I am INDEPENDENT and
will not be influenced by any political party agenda. I simply want Chowan County to be the best it can be, and for the people here to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness (ie. to flourish in whatever they choose to do) to the fullest extent possible.
I have the time, ability, and energy to devote to serving as your
Chowan County Commissioner. Robin and I own a store at 315 S. Broad Street
where I can meet with you at your convenience. I will continue this
website/blog. Check out
www.albemarleweb.com to see further writings on county government. I have a cell phone
(506-1930)devoted
only to county business. I am accessible to you and have laid out my guiding
principles. It is up to you to decide
if I am the best person to represent you. I respectfully ask for your vote
in November.
John Sams
.
"If you always do what you have always done,
you will always get what you have always gotten."