City Council

City Council Members



Sarah Harrison
Sarah is a Georgia native. She and her husband Larry have lived in Whitfield County for more than 50 years, and in Varnell for four years. They have two grown children and four grandchildren. After studying special education and visual arts at Georgia State University and Valdosta State University, she discovered her passion for economic development. Her career developed through real estate brokerage, non-profit management and fundraising, downtown development and lastly, workforce development. During her career she earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council, and completed requirements of UGA’s Development Authority Executive Skills Institute, as well as numerous governmental and leadership programs. She retired from the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission where she was Workforce Development and Career Center Coordinator for the fifteen county northwest Georgia region. She then became a Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator under the Georgia Department of Economic Development until her “second retirement”.

Harrison is dedicated to service on Varnell’s City Council, and wants to contribute to Varnell’s orderly growth and development in a manner that benefits its citizens, workers and visitors.


Howard Kash
Howard and his wife Jo Ellen have two children and four grandchildren. Following graduation from Jacksonville State University with a degree in business administration, Howard was commissioned in the Army serving in the infantry and military intelligence. Following military service, Howard worked in sales and marketing for Proctor & Gamble and Coca Cola before starting his own market research firm. After selling his business, Howard pursued a career in aviation earning the highest pilot certification, Airline Transport Pilot’s License. Howard spent over four years flying reconnaissance aircraft for the Army in support of coalition forces in Iraq. Since retiring, Howard enjoys golf, pickle ball, and traveling around the world. As a member of the Varnell City Council, Howard’s goal is to help manage Varnell’s growth so all the citizens of Varnell benefit.


Casey Mathews
Casey and his wife Tiffany have four children and have been married since 1997. He and his wife are both North Georgia natives. He and his family moved to Varnell in 2010. Casey has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Belhaven University, a Bachelor degree in Organizational Management from Covenant College, and an Associate degree in Natural Sciences from Reinhardt College.
Casey works as a General Manager of a company in Dalton.
He is an outdoor lover and enjoys working on his lawn, growing flower and vegetable gardens, and cycling. In his spare time he restores old cars and bicycles.
Casey is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and volunteers with the youth group.
Casey loves our community and wants to help grow the city in a responsible, organized manner that benefits the citizens.


Sandy Pangle

Sandy is happily married to Ramona Pangle for 38 years and has lived in Varnell since 1992.
They have 2 daughters Christina Williams and Leslie Andrews and a son Andrew Pangle along with 7 awesome Grandchildren.
Sandy works as Director of Engineering for a multi-product manufacturing company in Acworth and Cartersville GA.
He attended Dalton State College and received additional educational credits from several technical educational institutes .
He is an active outdoorsman who loves bicycling, fishing, backpacking, birdwatching, golf and playing guitar.
He has volunteered heavily with the American Diabetes association, scouting, and various children’s sports.
He is of the Christian faith and attends Rock Bridge Church in Dalton.
Sandy desires Varnell to become a closer knit city where people know their neighbors and care for each other.
He was elected to the Varnell City Council in 2019.
Contact Sandy: spangle@americomfg.com


Brittany Sewell
Brittany Sewell is a dedicated educator and community leader with 26 years of service in education. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of instructional and leadership roles, including classroom teacher, instructional coach, and Assistant Principal and Principal. She currently serves as the Middle School Curriculum Director, where she works collaboratively with school leaders and teachers to strengthen instructional practices and support student success.

Brittany earned her bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Kennesaw State University. She earned a Master of Education from the State University of West Georgia and an Education Specialist (Ed.S) in Leadership from Kennesaw State University. Her academic background and professional experience reflect a deep commitment to continuous improvement, instructional excellence, and thoughtful leadership.

In addition to her professional work in education, Brittany is honored to serve her community through civic leadership. She considers it a privilege to work alongside the citizens of Varnell to help build a stronger future for the community’s children and grandchildren. She values collaboration as a powerful tool for growth, both as a community and as individual citizens, and believes that hearing diverse viewpoints and engaging in open dialogue are essential to effective service. In her role, she is committed to doing what is best for the citizens of Varnell.

On a personal note, Brittany has been married to her supportive husband, Aaron, for 25 years. Together, they are proud parents of two daughters, both of whom are currently attending college. Brittany is an active member of Tunnel Hill Community Church, where her faith and commitment to service continue to shape her values and leadership. Her family, community involvement, and passion for education guide her dedication to serving others and making a positive impact in the place she calls home. She was elected to the Varnell City Council in 2026.