Candidate Questionnaire
What is your name: Anthony G. Willett
What office are you seeking? Jailer
What is your age: 47
Please provide family background. (I.E. spouse, children, grandchildren, pets)
I have been married to my wife, Patti McCuiston-Willett, since November 1, 2013, and together we have shared 21 years side by side. She has been my best friend, my biggest supporter, and the person who has stood with me through every season of life.
Family has always been at the center of who I am. Together, Patti and I have built a blended family that means everything to us. I am blessed to have three stepchildren that I consider my own, and they consider me their dad: Samantha Pitsonbarger (33), Chance McCuiston (30), and Mason Settle (34). I also have three children of my own: Anthony G. Willett Jr. (27), Myleigh A. Willett (24), and Tytus Willett (12).
We have also been blessed with several grandchildren who bring so much joy to our lives. Through Chance McCuiston, we have Carter McCuiston (5) and Chance McCuiston Jr., “CJ” (7). Through Samantha Pitsonbarger, we have Bella Banks (11), Wesley Banks (12), Hayden McCuiston (14), Dewayne Pitsonbarger (12), and Jade Pitsonbarger (15). Being a husband, father, and grandfather is one of the greatest blessings of my life.
Our home would not be complete without our pets, who are very much part of the family too. We have three dogs: Bambi, a 17-year-old mixed breed; Zoe, a 3-year-old Husky/Rottweiler mix; and Buddy, a 1-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd/Malinois mix. We also have one cat, Roxie (8), and four kittens: Rose, Blanche, Dorothy, and Sophia, who are all 8 months old.
At the end of the day, family is what keeps me grounded. They are my reason, my strength, and the foundation behind everything I do.
What is your educational background? (i.e. high school, GED, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, doctoral degree, etc.)
I graduated from Henderson County High School in 1997. Just seven days later, on June 9, 1997, I left for United States Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. Earning the title of United States Marine was one of the proudest and most defining moments of my life. Over the course of my five years of service, I received extensive training in leadership, discipline, use of force, and personal responsibility.
The Marine Corps taught me how to lead under pressure, stay mission-focused, and put service above self. I proudly served my full contract and was honorably discharged, carrying those values with me into every part of my life and career.
While I did not take the traditional college path immediately after high school, I have continued to build my education through professional training, real-world experience, and a lifelong commitment to learning and self-improvement.
Have you been elected to a political office previously? If so, what office(s) and when did you hold the office(s)?
N/A
What is your professional background? (Please include career and any boards and volunteer work.)
I began my career with the Henderson County Detention Center in 2002 and worked there for approximately 10 years. I started as a deputy on the floor and worked my way up to Major of Operations, serving as third in command for five years. During that time, I helped strengthen jail programs, write and improve policies, enhance discipline and daily operations, and build the Special Emergency Response Team (S.E.R.T.) from the ground up for cell extractions, large transports, recreation yard security, and mass cell searches.
One of my proudest accomplishments at the detention center was improving the training program for new deputies. I expanded it from 16 hours into a more structured process that included two weeks of classroom and hands-on instruction followed by two additional weeks of field training with an FTO.
I later transferred to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, where I currently serve as Administrative Lieutenant over Support Services. In that role, I oversee records management, civil and criminal process, vehicle inspections, CCDW processing, open records coordination, and other administrative functions that directly serve the public. I also help manage the budget and work to ensure fiscal responsibility in the day-to-day operation of the office.
In addition, I serve as training coordinator and hold instructor certifications in firearms, Rescue Task Force, ASP baton, Taser, Active Shooter response, and other law enforcement-related areas. My career has been built on leadership, training, accountability, public service, and responsible management of both people and resources.
For boards and volunteer work, I do not currently list any formal board service or volunteer organizations.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for Jailer because I believe Henderson County deserves a jail that is safe, secure, professional, and transparent. This office affects not only the deputies who work there, but also the families of those employees and the entire community.
I am running because I have the experience to help make things better. I want to improve training, strengthen accountability, support the deputies doing the job every day, and make sure the public is informed when major issues arise. My goal is to help build a jail that this community can trust and be proud of.
If elected to office, what would be your top three goals?
1. Safety and Security – My first goal would be to make sure the jail is safe and secure for the deputies, the inmates, and the people of Henderson County. We have had two escapes in the last few years, and that should concern everyone in this community. My focus will be on preventing any further escapes from the secure part of the facility by strengthening policies, improving accountability, enhancing training, and making sure staff are properly prepared and supported to do their jobs.
2. Reducing Recidivism – My second goal would be to work on reducing recidivism by helping inmates leave jail better prepared than when they came in. I want to create a program that gives inmates the opportunity to have a job when they are released. I want to bring in classes on filling out applications, building resumes, interviewing for jobs, and even how to dress for an interview. Later on, I would like to grow that into a work-from-jail program where qualified inmates can work a regular 8-hour job and then return to the jail. When they receive their paycheck, half would go into savings, the other half would go toward paying off their fines, and a portion could be used for commissary. My goal is to help people become productive citizens and reduce the chances of them coming back.
3. Better Leadership – My third goal would be to bring better leadership to the jail. Deputies and supervisors need leadership that listens to them, supports them, and is dependable. They need leaders who will step up, make hard decisions, and do the work when it is necessary instead of hiding in an office and making themselves unavailable. Better leadership also means better training. Deputies and supervisors need more training and they need the actual training necessary to do their jobs safely, confidently, and professionally. I also believe the community deserves transparency within legal standards. My goal is to bring leadership to the jail that is accountable to both the staff and the people of Henderson County.
Why should people vote for you?
People should vote for me because I have the experience and the leadership to do this job the right way. I started on the floor as a deputy and worked my way up to Major of Operations. I have seen firsthand what works, what does not work, and what needs to be fixed. I have already proven before that I can bring structure, discipline, accountability, and stronger operations to the detention center. I am not guessing about what needs to be done. I have done it before. Now I am asking for the opportunity to do it again for the people of Henderson County.
Please feel free to add an additional comment.
I am running because I care about the deputies, their families, and the people of this community. I live in this county, my family lives in this county, and I want to feel safe knowing the detention center is secure. I want my family, and every family in Henderson County, to be able to sleep peacefully at night without worrying about escapes or failures inside the jail.
I have also been asked by news agencies whether I would be more transparent if elected Jailer, and the answer is yes. I believe the people of Henderson County deserve transparency within the bounds of the law. The community has a right to know about major issues affecting their jail, and I believe honesty and openness build trust.
I also believe the jail should be run with fiscal responsibility. Taxpayer money should be spent wisely and with purpose, not wasted on unnecessary or excessive expenditures. I have personally seen the receipt for the repair of the transport van, and in my opinion, putting around $20,000 into a van only worth around $1,000 to $2,000 is not responsible spending. In my opinion, instead of purchasing items like pepperball guns, those funds should be directed toward things that directly impact safety, such as ensuring the transport team is properly equipped with bulletproof vests, especially when transporting federal inmates who can be dangerous at times.
At the end of the day, I want a jail that is safe, secure, professional, transparent, and fiscally responsible. That is what the deputies deserve, and that is what the people of Henderson County deserve.
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