Jensen, a retired educator and coach who served at East Burke and Draughn high schools, has been active in town government for two decades.

Bowman is an executive in the health insurance industry, having earned both her bachelor’s degree and her masters of business administration degree at Gardner-Webb University.

Malcolm, the son of Rutherford College’s first mayor since its reincorporation in 1977, Zeb Malcolm, worked in nursing for decades before retiring and starting his own home improvement company.

Berry is a senior financial officer at the State Employees Credit Union in Rutherford College.

Otherwise, the agenda for the meeting was a light one, with the bulk of the time spent with the council in executive session to discuss “the possible location or expansion of industries/ businesses (in the town) including negotiating tentative list of incentives.”

Three Rutherford College council incumbents will seek re-election

Kress Berry works as a senior financial officer at the State Employees Credit Union in Rutherford College.

Three Rutherford College Council incumbents will seek re-election

In Rutherford College, four seats on the seven-member council are up for grabs this year and all four incumbents filed for re-election.
Incumbent Mayor Yates Jensen and council members Kress Berry, Darel Malcolm, and Starr-Nell Bowman are seeking new 4-year terms in Rutherford College.
They will have no opposition.

November ballot takes shape in Rutherford College, Hildebran

Kress currently serves as a council member in Rutherford College.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As of September 2, 2026, Kress Berry did not have a website or any information online.

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Kress Berry

As of September 2, 2026, Kress Berry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Sahid Burgos

Walter Ley

Darel Malcolm

Starr-Nell Bowman

- Town council members serve as the governing body of the town, along with the mayor. 
- The town council members make policy decisions for the town, including creating ordinances, policies, and making agreements with other governments. 
- The town council can amend and revise town policies, as well as approve or reject the town budget. 
- The town council is also in charge of the appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces, committees, the town manager, and the town attorney. 
- Members of the town council are elected to staggered 4 year terms. 

Part of the governing body of your town. 