Mayor Tom Dickson
Born in the town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, Dickson graduated from St. Petersburg Senior High School in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Maryville College, a Masters in Education from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, and an Educational Specialist degree from the State University of West Georgia. A resident of Whitfield County since 1967, he is married to the former Sherry White. They have two sons James and Matt, and three grandchildren. First employed by the Whitfield County School System in August 10, 1967 as a teacher at Pleasant Grove Elementary School, he has served in numerous capacities in the school system including bus driver and summer maintenance worker. He has served as both a middle school assistant principal, and as principal of an elementary school. At the central office of the school system, he later served as Director of Technology, Transportation, and Finance, then was appointed as assistant superintendent. He served as Superintendent of Schools from 1998 until his retirement in June of 2003. His wife, Sherry, also retired in 2003 from her career as a school psychologist with the Whitfield County schools. She is currently pursuing a career in professional counseling.
From 2005 thru 2016 Mr. Dickson served in the Georgia House of Representatives, representing the 4th District. His legislative duties included Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education, Secretary of the Regulated Industries Committee, and membership on the Economic Development and Tourism, Education, Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment, and Rules committees.
Mr. Dickson currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors of the Georgia United Credit Union. He has served on numerous other boards including Junior Achievement, Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership, Georgia School Superintendent’s Association, the Georgia Project, and the Whitfield County Board of Health. He is an active member of the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, where he serves on the finance committee and as chair of the Church Council. He has been a member of the Dalton Rotary Club since 1996.
Contact Tom: tdickson@cityofvarnell.com