Meet Lou Ann
Working mom, business owner, community leader, Vanderbilt Engineering School graduate, daughter of a veteran born on the Fourth of July… all these describe Lou Ann Zelenik.
Lou Ann's call to service began at an early age. In high school, in addition to her studies and participation on the track and cross country teams, she volunteered her time in hospitals. As a young woman she worked two jobs to pay for college, including waiting tables. She learned the importance of a strong work ethic and the value of every dollar.
Beginning her career after earning a BS from the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering, Lou Ann made her mark in the construction industry, specializing in utility and road construction. Like many Tennesseans, Lou Ann began her business at the dining room table, and slowly built it into a success over the next 23 years, including a major contract with the Nashville International Airport. She understands what it takes to make a payroll, balance a budget…and she has run a backhoe. She understands the impact on business, the job engine of America, when government over spends, over taxes and over regulates. Two years ago, Lou Ann sold her business and turned her full attention to work in the Murfreesboro community.
With a reputation for honest hard work, and integrity, she made her business a success and provided jobs to Tennesseans. She often says the best part of running a business was the look on the face of a worker when they heard the words, "you're hired."
Lou Ann has served the community on the Rutherford County Planning Commission and she is a member of the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. She honors the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform as a board member of "A Soldier's Child", a non-profit organization that provides support to the children of fallen soldiers on their birthday. She also holds memberships in National Federation of Independent Business, Judicial Watch, Heritage Foundation, the National Rifle Association, Tennessee Federation of Republican Women and Oaklands Association. Since 2007, Lou Ann has served as both the Vice Chair and Chair of the Rutherford County Republican Party during a period that has seen the explosive growth in membership and prominence of the county party. She served as an organizer for the first and second Rutherford County Tea Parties, encouraging the voters of Rutherford County to step forward and let their voice be heard. She joined with other counties across the district to hold a Healthcare Forum and led the effort to force Bart Gordon to backtrack on his refusal to hold town hall meetings.
In 1977, Lou Ann married Bill Zelenik and she is the mother of one daughter. Kerri Zelenik graduated as valedictorian of Riverdale High School, followed in her mother’s footsteps to graduate from Vanderbilt University and is engaged to be married in June of 2010. Kerri is the fourth generation of women in her family to graduate from college.
Lou Ann is the daughter of a World War II, Korean War and Viet Nam Veteran. Her father was a systems analyst for over 40 years and her mother was a teacher as well as a church volunteer, who in 2007, after a 7 month long illness, lost her battle for life. Lou Ann attends World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro.
Lou Ann Zelenik understands the American dream because she has lived it. She understands that only in this nation could she make her business a success and the America that gave her that opportunity must be protected for a new generation of Tennesseans who are just beginning to choose their dream.
Lou Ann has always been a trailblazer. In business, in her community or through her charity work she has always strived to make lives better. She is again stepping forward, this time as a candidate for Congress. Her business experience in balancing a budget or creating jobs, and her pro faith and pro family beliefs make her uniquely qualified to return the conservative values of the Sixth District to the United States House of Representatives and fight for us in Washington.
Perhaps no time in our recent history has called on Americans to stand up for the principles and values we hold dear as does today. Lou Ann believes those elected have a sacred oath to preserve and defend our Constitution, not special interests or their political careers. No stranger to hard work, she will tirelessly represent all 15 counties of the 6th District of Tennessee.
Stay Connected