WEEKLY SMILE: Kerry Ledbetter

Kerry Ledbetter is a man of faith and public service, and he loves serving the community where he was born and raised.

A 1989 graduate of Cookeville High School and later Tennessee Tech, Ledbetter feels he has been led by the Lord to serve others in a variety of ways.

One of those is through music. He serves as music minister at Hampton’s Crossroads Baptist Church, bringing joy to the congregation through harmony every Sunday morning.

“I just love people,” Ledbetter said. “God has blessed me and my family.”

Hospitality has been another way for Ledbetter to serve people.

He began his career in the hospitality industry, advancing from hotel management to general manager and later area manager, overseeing multiple hotels in Murfreesboro. During that time, he served on the Rutherford County Hospitality Association Board of Directors and was elected board president in 2008.

Under his leadership, his hotel teams consistently ranked among the best within their brands, earning numerous awards for customer service and guest satisfaction.

Ledbetter later expanded his leadership experience as a regional manager, overseeing operations for 11 hotels across Tennessee, Texas and Florida.

For the past 11 years, he has managed community homeowner associations throughout Middle Tennessee, working closely with homeowners and boards of directors to oversee budgets, negotiate contracts, coordinate meetings and ensure effective communication and accountability.

Ledbetter and his wife, Karen Nash Ledbetter, have been married for 29 years. They are the parents of five children: Matthew, Greg, Nathan, Darya and Natalie.

Their son Matthew is married to Emma, and the couple has a 1-year-old son, Clayton.

Whether through faith, music, hospitality, family or public service, Ledbetter’s life has centered on people and community.

And for that, Kerry Ledbetter is this week’s Weekly Smile.