Meet Brenda

Brenda Sanders Speer is home grown, home educated and home committed.

A Giles County native, Brenda was raised with the values of hard work, responsibility, faith, family and service. Both of her parents were small business owners, and their example gave her an early understanding of what it takes to serve customers, meet obligations and build something with care.

Those lessons have stayed with her throughout her life.

Brenda is now a candidate for Giles County Commissioner because she believes public service should be rooted in listening, practical decision-making and a genuine commitment to the people who call this county home.

Giles County Roots

Brenda’s story begins in Giles County.

Like many young people, she once imagined leaving home and not returning. But after college, she realized she wanted to make a difference in the community that raised her. She came home to Giles County and built a life grounded in business, service and community involvement.

Today, Brenda owns Speerit Hill Farm on Blue Creek in the 4th District. The farm is more than a place she loves. It is a daily reminder of the land, families, rural communities and future she hopes to help protect and strengthen.

Brenda understands that Giles County is not just a place on a map. It is home.

Education Changed Her Life

Brenda believes education changes lives because it changed hers.

Her parents did not have the opportunity to attend college, but they made sure she understood the importance of education. With their encouragement, Brenda became a first-generation college graduate.

She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance/Banking from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where she was involved in Phi Mu Sorority and the Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature. She later earned a certificate in Financial Planning from Belmont University.

That educational foundation helped shape Brenda’s professional life, but it also shaped her commitment to the next generation. She believes young people in Giles County should have access to education, training and opportunity that can help them build strong futures close to home.

A Career Built on Planning and Service

Brenda has spent more than 40 years helping people make thoughtful financial decisions.

She is a Certified Financial Planner at Blackbridge Financial Group and holds the professional designations CFP®, ChFC® and CLU®. Her career has included helping individuals, couples and families understand Social Security benefits, plan for retirement income and make decisions that align with their long-term goals.

Before her current role, Brenda was a partner at Professional Benefit Solutions LLC in Pulaski from 1999 to 2019. The company provided health, life and supplemental insurance for individuals, as well as group benefits for businesses.

Through her work, Brenda has learned the importance of listening carefully, understanding details and making decisions with both present needs and future consequences in mind. Those same skills are important in county government, where decisions affect families, landowners, homeowners, businesses and future generations.

A Commitment to Education and Opportunity

Brenda’s belief in education has led her to support efforts that expand opportunity for others.

She played a meaningful role in the merger of Martin Methodist College into the University of Tennessee Southern, a change that strengthened access to higher education in Middle Tennessee. She has also served as a trustee on the Giles County Library Board and the Martin Methodist College Board.

For Brenda, education and economic opportunity are closely connected. She believes local access to higher education, workforce preparation and career pathways can help more young people stay in Giles County, return after college or training and build their lives here.

That commitment is also reflected at Speerit Hill Farm, where the “Everywhere you look, UT” mural stands as a symbol of Volunteer pride, educational possibility and Brenda’s belief in the future of Giles County’s young people.

Honored for Leadership

In April 2026, the University of Tennessee Alliance of Women Philanthropists honored Brenda as the recipient of the Brenda G. Lawson Legacy of Leadership Award during its annual Women and Philanthropy Symposium.

The award recognizes women whose generosity, service and vision create lasting change.

For Brenda, the honor reflects values that have guided her life: giving back, encouraging others and investing in the future of the community.

A Life of Local Service

Brenda has dedicated time, energy and leadership to organizations that strengthen women, encourage entrepreneurship and support community development. Her work has often centered on helping people see what is possible and giving them the encouragement or tools to move forward.

Her late husband, Dan Speer, also a Giles County native, served as mayor of Pulaski from 1989 until 2011. Their life together deepened Brenda’s understanding of the connection between education, economic opportunity and local leadership.

Brenda’s own path has carried her through business, philanthropy, education, agriculture and community service. Each part of that experience shapes the way she looks at the future of Giles County.

Ready to Serve District 4

Brenda Sanders Speer is running for Giles County Commissioner because she believes the county needs thoughtful, responsible leadership focused on the future.

She understands the concerns of landowners and homeowners. She believes county budgets should make sense. She cares deeply about young people and the opportunities available to them. She believes leadership means more than saying no — it means listening, studying the facts and offering a better plan.

Brenda is proud of where she comes from, grateful for the opportunities that shaped her life and committed to helping Giles County move forward with responsibility, respect and hope.

Home Grown. Home Educated. Home Committed.