Today we’d like to introduce you to Jordan Huffman.
Hi Jordan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m a 7th generation Tennessean, originally from Greeneville in East Tennessee. I moved to Nashville in January 2012, and over the years this city has truly become home.
My story has really been shaped by community, public service, and a desire to help people solve problems. I grew up understanding the importance of showing up, working hard, and being involved in the place you call home. Over the years, that led me into different roles in technology, healthcare, public policy, and community service. Each step gave me a better understanding of how systems work, where they fall short, and how important it is to have people at the table who are willing to listen and do the work.
Before serving on Metro Council, I was already active in the Donelson and Hermitage community through neighborhood and civic organizations. That work eventually led me to run for office because I saw real opportunities to better advocate for our neighborhoods, improve communication, and focus on the everyday issues residents care about.
Today, I serve as the Metro Council Member for District 14 while also working in policy communications for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation. Both roles are different, but they connect in a lot of ways. At the core, they are about listening, building relationships, and advocating for people, communities, and the places we care about.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not always been a smooth road, but I think that is true for most people who are trying to build something meaningful.
Like a lot of people, I have had seasons where I had to figure things out as I went. Moving to Nashville in 2012 meant building a life, a career, and a community in a city that was still growing and changing quickly. There were plenty of moments where I had to work hard to find my footing and prove myself.
Public service also comes with its own challenges. You are dealing with real issues that impact people’s lives, and you quickly learn that not every problem has a simple answer. Sometimes progress takes longer than you want it to. Sometimes you have to have hard conversations. Sometimes you take criticism even when you are doing your best to help.
But those struggles have also shaped me. They have taught me to listen better, to stay grounded, and to keep showing up even when the work is difficult. I have always believed that if you care about your community, you have to be willing to do the steady work, not just the easy work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My work really sits at the intersection of public service, policy, communications, and community advocacy.
Professionally, I work in policy communications for the Tennessee Wildlife Federation, where I help tell the story of conservation, outdoor recreation, and the importance of protecting Tennessee’s natural resources. That work allows me to combine strategy, public policy, and communication in a way that helps people better understand the issues impacting our state.
I also serve as the Metro Council Member for District 14, which includes parts of Donelson, Hermitage, and Old Hickory. In that role, I spend a lot of time focused on public safety, infrastructure, neighborhood quality of life, responsible growth, and making sure residents feel heard. A lot of the work is not flashy. It is answering emails, following up with departments, helping neighbors navigate Metro, showing up at community meetings, and staying persistent when something needs to get done.
I think I am probably known for being accessible and direct. I try to communicate clearly with people, even when the answer is complicated or not what they want to hear. I also try to stay grounded in the everyday issues people are actually dealing with, whether that is traffic, public safety, zoning, litter, sidewalks, or basic city services.
What I am most proud of is the trust I have built with neighbors. Public service only works when people know you are listening and that you will keep showing up. I am proud of the projects we have been able to move forward in District 14, but I am just as proud of the small wins that may not make headlines but make someone’s day a little easier.
What sets me apart is that I bring a mix of real-world experience, communication skills, and a deep love for Tennessee. I am not interested in politics just for the sake of politics. I care about solving problems, building relationships, and doing the steady work it takes to make a community stronger.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I define success by impact and follow through.
For me, success is not just a title or a position. It is whether I am making a real difference for the people and places I care about. As someone who is from Tennessee, lives in this community, works in conservation, and serves on Metro Council, I think about success through the lens of service.
That can look different depending on the day. Sometimes it is helping a neighbor get an answer from Metro. Sometimes it is pushing for a public safety improvement, a road project, or better communication around growth and development. Sometimes it is advocating for Tennessee’s outdoors and the natural resources that have shaped who I am.
I have always tried to be someone who shows up, listens, and follows through. If I can look back and know that I worked hard, treated people with respect, helped solve problems, and left my community better than I found it, then I consider that success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.huffmanformetro.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanhuffmantn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JordanHuffmanTN/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-huffman-10562027/
- Twitter: https://x.com/JordanHuffman
