Knox County Tennesee

Richard “Bud” Armstrong grew up in the Skaggston Community of Knox County. He attended Skaggston Elementary School and later graduated from Carter High School. He received a bachelor's and master’s degree from the University of Tennessee before going on to complete a doctorate of education degree from Columbia University in New York City. He completed his formal education with a doctor of jurisprudence from the Nashville School of Law.  He passed the Tennessee Bar Examination and is a solo practitioner of law in Knox County.

Armstrong became an environmental scientist with the Tennessee Valley Authority specializing in the evaluation of education environmental impacts associated with federal activities under the Environmental Policy Act. He served in this and various human resource development and training capacities at TVA during a 29 year career. He also served as a consultant to the United States Congress, state and local governments and various state and local boards of education, community colleges and universities throughout the seven valley states.

In 2008, Armstrong was elected to serve as Knox County Commissioner in the Eighth Commission District, to complete Phil Ballard’s term after Commissioner Ballard was elected Property Assessor of Knox County.

Commissioner Armstrong has been active in a wide variety of civic and community activities. He is a past Master of Woodward Lodge 737 F&AM. He served as a board member, treasurer and assistant treasurer for the East Tennessee Historical Society over a nine year period. It was during this service that the East Tennessee History Center was developed and built on Gay Street. He was also the Interim Director of the Congressman Tom Bevil Advanced Technology Center, a joint project between the University of Alabama and Gadsden State Community College.  Bud is also a member of the Knoxville Bar Association.

Commissioner Armstrong also serves on the Intergovernmental Committee. His major concerns are: 1) improving education in Knox County, and 2) safety and security of our neighborhoods.  Bud and his wife Patti Jo live in the Ramsey Community.