James Ross has entered the race to serve as District 1 Councilman on Madison City Council. CONTRIBUTED

MADISON – James Ross has announced his candidacy for the District 1 seat on Madison City Council.

His priorities for Madison will include economic development and job growth, support of Madison City Schools and improvement of the city’s infrastructure for roads, park and power.

In addition, Ross wants “smart expansion” for the city, along with public safety, building of public trust in city government and “disciplined spending of city resources.”

Ross served 30 years in the U.S. Army and is a former Command Sergeant Major. His experience includes U.S. Army Space & Missile Defense Command and the Army Forces Strategic Command. He is a decorated combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan and earned the Distinguished Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit and Combat Action Badge.

At American Military University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in homeland security. He received a master’s degree in organization leadership from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Currently, he works as Director of Operations with TMC Design Corporation.

He and his wife Ashley Engles-Ross have been married for 17 years. Their daughter Lillian is a seventh-grader at Discovery Middle School. Their son Jack and daughter Amelia attend West Madison Elementary School and are in fourth and first grade, respectively.

In professional affiliations, he serves as a member on the boards of directors for Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA), Redstone Chapter and the Air, Space and Missile Defense Association (ASMDA). Ross is a member of the Air Defense Artillery Association’s executive committee.

In community involvement, he is an active member of the chamber of commerce, volunteers at Asbury United Methodist Church and coaches youth teams with Madison Basketball Association.

For more information, email to rossdistrictone@gmail.com or visit Facebook/rosscitycouncil or gofundme.com/duk4ke4c.