HICKORY, NC (December 5, 2017)…At the City of Hickory Council meeting on Tuesday night, Mayor-Elect Hank Guess officially took his oath of office and was sworn in as the new Mayor for the City of Hickory. Additionally, several other City Council members were sworn in, including: Ward 4 Alderman-Elect David Williams, Ward 5 Alderman David Zagaroli, and Ward 6 Alderwoman Jill Patton. A reception to honor Guess and the newly elected City Council members was held in the City Hall Atrium prior to the Council meeting.
Guess has dedicated most of his adult life to serving his beloved community. After graduating from Hickory High School in 1977, he earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Western Piedmont Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Gardner-Webb University. From 1978 to 2008, he served the City of Hickory as a Police Officer, eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant and graduating from the prestigious 210th FBI National Academy. He retired from the Hickory Police Department after more than 30 years of service.
Determined to continue his service to the City of Hickory after retirement, Guess filed for and was elected to the Ward 4 seat on the Hickory City Council. He was elected to two terms as the Ward 4 Alderman before pursuing the mayoral seat.
“We are very excited to welcome Hank as the new Mayor for the City of Hickory,” said City Manager Warren Wood. “He has served our community for many years and we now look forward to working with him in his new capacity as Mayor. His passion and dedication to the City of Hickory are to be admired. He shares our vision to usher the City into a new era of growth and enrichment.”
“The City also wishes to extend its sincere thanks to Jeff Cline for his excellent service as the interim Mayor during this time of transition,” said Wood.
Guess and his wife of 30 years, Tammy, are Hickory natives. They have two sons, Justin and Jacob, and are long-standing members of Winkler’s Grove Baptist Church. Guess also stays actively engaged in the community as a volunteer with North Carolina Special Olympics, a member of Hickory Masonic Lodge #343, and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Western Catawba County.