Mr. Rye was raised in Humphreys County by lifelong educators. His mother and father, Linda and Tommy Rye both retired from the Humphreys County School System with over 30 years in education. He was raised to value education, and the importance of hard work and dedication. Mr. Rye is an alumni of Waverly Central High School, graduating in May of 1991. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin in the Spring of 1995. He earned his Master of Arts in Administration and Supervision from Austin Peay State University in 1998, and graduated in 2004 from Tennessee State University as an Education Specialist. Mr. Rye began his career as an educator teaching 8 th Grade Science and Assistant Football Coach at Waverly Junior High School in 1995. In 2006 he became Assistant Principal at Waverly Central High school as well as Athletic Director and Assistant Football Coach. In 2014 he was named Principal of Waverly Central High School which is where he remained until being elected in February of 2020 as the current Humphreys County Director of Schools. Shortly after being elected, Mr. Rye faced like the rest of the country, educating our students through the COVID 19 Pandemic. On August 21, 2021, while still facing the everyday challenges brought on by COVID 19, the county faced a devastating flood, where sadly 20 people lost their lives including three students. The damage throughout the county included two schools where 1,100 students were displaced, the Central Office, the Maintenance Department, Technology Hub and the majority of the transportation fleet. Through the leadership of Mr. Rye and a dedicated team of supervisors, administrators, faculty and staff the county and school system continues to rebuild. Due to his experience in this disaster, Mr. Rye has been published in the Washington Post, and the AASA School Administrator Magazine. He has also traveled to other school districts in and out of the State of Tennessee to consult and advise others in similar situations that have occurred. Mr. Rye and his wife Melissa, who is also in education, reside in Waverly, TN. Together they have three children and enjoy spending their downtime on Kentucky Lake.