Written by Robert Norris
The race for Boone County Judge Executive seems to be everywhere this year, at least by all the signs.
While I do not know Gary Moore personally, I do know Chet Hand—and I’ve known him since he moved here.
At that time, Chet was hired into a role where he reported directly to me. It didn’t take long to recognize something different about him. Early on, I was impressed by his business acumen and his maturity in decision-making—especially when it came to managing risk while still supporting growth.
Within just a few months, I met with the executive team and recommended him for promotion. The reason was simple: he was already leading. Not by title, but by action—guiding the team, building others up, and stepping into challenges without hesitation.
What stood out most was his ability to handle pressure. No matter the situation, he remained calm, thoughtful, and effective. He had a way of assessing problems quickly and acting with clarity—something you can’t teach easily.
It’s no surprise to me that his background played a role in shaping that. Growing up in Alaska and working in public service gave him a foundation that translated seamlessly into leadership. He’s a rare combination—equally comfortable in the field and in the office. (If you’ve ever seen Ice Road Truckers, Season 4, Episode 9—“Blood on the Dalton”—you’ll catch a glimpse of him in action as an EMT leading care during a critical moment.)
Shortly after, I moved on to another opportunity, but I stayed in touch with Chet. I wanted to see where his path would lead.
Seeing him step into leadership roles in every area of his life comes as no surprise to me. From the very beginning, it was clear he was built for more.
His work ethic, transparency, and willingness to sit down, listen, and truly understand before speaking—those are qualities that matter. And they’re qualities that will serve Boone County well.