Joe Gallagher
I began the First Friday Luncheons March 5, 2004 at the Airport Hilton. It was an effort to unite Blount Democrats and also to demonstrate to the many "closet" Democrats in Blount County that we are many. The latter has been clearly established. Unity has proven to be a work in progress.
My personal history: 55 year career in sports and sports TV, mostly as a producer of major sports events (Baseball Game of The Week, World Series, NFL, NCAA Football including the Orange 
Bowl, College Basketball including the Final Four, NHL including the Stanley Cup Finals, Major Golf events plus many documentaries and specials. I earned an EMMY as a Director for ABC Sports on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. I also served four years as Asst. Director of Athletics at Syracuse University where my efforts played a significant role in the building of the Carrier Dome. I graduated from Manhattan College in 1949. I am the 7th of 11 children (9 boys) born to Edward and Anna Gallagher in the Bronx where my father was Democratic Leader. I have 6 children--Edward, John, William, Peter, Joseph and Marie--and 11 beautiful grandchildren.
Carol and I moved from Houston, Texas to Louisville, Tennessee in 1999. Our phone number is: 865-983-4557. Our e-mail address is: cgallag456@aol.com.
I am "semi-retired" but work part time for the Tennessee Smokies Baseball Club as a public relations consultant. I am producer of a new TV series, "Movin' On Up," a weekly look at the Atlanta Braves farm teams. The 30-minute program is seen Wednesdays on BRAVESVISION and CSS, Comcast Sports South. For the past year, I have served as volunteer producer of the Knox Democrats twice-monthly TV show on Knox County Public Access Channel 12.
I continue to be dedicated to the growth and unity of the Blount County Democratic Party. I also serve on the Board of Directors of "Tennesseeans For Fair Taxation" and Board of Directors of " The Raven Society" I am a member of Alcoa Rotary and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church where I also am a member of the "Knights of Columbus."