JOHN AVERY EMISON is a sixth-generation Tennessean with a life-long interest in the conservation of natural resources, history, and government. He was educated in the South and Pacific Northwest. Emison worked for many years at the Oak Ridge Complex in nuclear criticality safety, quality assurance, and cleanup of hazardous and radioactive waste sites. He earned a B.A. in history from Union University, an M.S. in physical geography at the University of Memphis, and Ph.D. in resource geography at Oregon State University. In retirement, Emison returned to his hometown of Alamo, Tennessee where he lives with his wife Judy and serves as Mayor.