About David Allen
I was born and raised on a small family farm in Grover, North Carolina. That farm was originally owned by my Great-Great Grandfather, D. J. Allen. My mother, Linda Allen Herndon, and stepfather, Donnie Herndon, still live on that farm today. After graduating Kings Mountain High School in 1983 I fell in love with and married the former Elizabeth White, daughter of Bobby and Norma Jean White of Kings Mountain. We have been married for over 38 years and together we have three sons, Andy, Jake and Noah.
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We raised our children right here in this town, and as parents, we were committed to their education in our public schools. Together, Beth and I served as PTO Presidents at East Elementary School and the Kings Mountain Middle School. We have coached sports, cheered our children and their friends on during sporting events, served as Club Scout leaders, and spent many hours as lunch buddies. As long-time members of First Baptist Church, we served as Youth Leaders and Sunday School Teachers for over 25 years. In 1997, I was elected as a Deacon and served as Chairman of Deacons and other church leadership roles.
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Today, each of the three boys is grown and has been blessed to have eight grandchildren, 5 granddaughters and 3 grandsons. It is clear that this is our home and we plan on continuing to grow our family right here. Our family wants Kings Mountain to be as good for your family as it was for ours!
My Story
Often, events change our life’s direction, so it happened in my life. As a young teenage driver, I encountered North Carolina State Trooper J. R. Reid one afternoon on the way to a church softball game. That single traffic stop and ticket turned my life around and put me on the path of a lifetime of public service. I joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in 1987 and served throughout this region most of my career. From 1999 through 2005, I was stationed in Shelby and oversaw patrol operations for Cleveland County as District First Sergeant. In January of 2015, I retired after rising to the rank of Captain and serving the citizens of this State for twenty-seven years.
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As a young leader, it was apparent I needed to improve my own leadership knowledge through education. Going back to school as an adult is never easy, but with time and the support of my family, I completed several degrees, culminating in a Master’s in Public Administration from UNC Pembroke.
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Since retirement, I have operated my own consulting business, traveling across the United States and teaching leadership skills to public safety leaders. During my travels, I have visited many communities just like ours. Many of these areas are using innovative strategies, while some are struggling to face the challenges of the twenty-first century. This opportunity to travel has allowed me to see many problems firsthand and discuss the solutions other cities have found.
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My wife and I own several other businesses, including a retail gift and Christmas store and general contracting construction businesses. I understand many of the challenges facing businesses today. Because of my background, I am committed to serving our small businesses, which are the backbone of our community.
Service to Our Community
During the last twenty-five years, I have volunteered for the City of Kings Mountain by serving on numerous civilian advisory boards. These Boards are an integral part of providing citizen input to guide our City.
I served on the Moss Lake Advisory Board for several years before the board was dissolved. Next, I served on Parks and Recreation and served as the Chairman of that Board for several years.
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The Parks and Recreation Board was replaced with a contract to begin the Kings Mountain YMCA. Because of my previous experience with Parks and Recreation, I served as the first YMCA Board Chair on behalf of the City. In the City’s Planning Department, I have served on the Planning and Zoning Board, as well as the Board of Adjustment. I served as Chairman on both of those Planning Department Boards.
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Additionally, I served on the Travel and Tourism board for four years and two as Chairman. My experience with these Boards will help me value the important role citizen input plays in the overall process of governing.
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I was elected to the City of Kings Mountain Council in an At-Large Seat in November 2017 for the first term. I was elected to a second term on the Council in 2022, where I am currently serving. During this time, I have served on various ad hoc committees as needed.
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In October 2019, I gathered several GOP friends and formed the Cleveland County Republican Men’s Club. The club's purpose was to strengthen the overall GOP in Cleveland County. I served as the first President of the CCRMC. Additionally, I served as the Cleveland County GOP Chairman for two years.