Two years ago, Tim Cassetty was admittedly not in a good spot.

He weighed 430 pounds. His transportation company was reeling because of COVID. He had to lay off 18 employees.

That was then.

This is now – Tim has trimmed down to 250 pounds, thanks to a lifestyle change incorporating running (more on that in just a bit). Driving Nashville, his transportation company offering chauffeured services to entertainment and corporate industries around the area, is thriving again. He and wife Chrystal have even added a second business to their portfolio with the Parlor Room, a luxury barber shop in Hendersonville.

And come September 16, Tim might just add the title of Mr. Sumner County to his résumé. He is one of six candidates selected by the Junior Service League of Hendersonville/Sumner County to vie for the honor. The winner will be announced during the Mr. Sumner County Pageant that evening at the Premier Centre in Hendersonville.

All proceeds from the event, including a dinner and silent auction in addition to the pageant, will go to the American Legion Robert Kreider’s Veterans’ Residence in Gallatin. Tim and his fellow nominees have been busy raising funds in advance of Mr. Sumner County, too.

“I’m humbled to be nominated, but this is not about me,” says Tim, a Nashville native who graduated from Stratford High School. “I’m honored to help raise money for these veterans who have served our country well. The Kreider Residence does not receive support from the state, so fundraisers are vitally important to their mission.”

Tim has logged miles and miles in his efforts to be the top fundraiser among the Mr. Sumner County nominees, and he’s not doing it in one of his fleet’s luxury automobiles. He’s hitting the pavement on his own two feet.

See, Tim is also in training for his first-ever half marathon, the Hendersonville Half Marathon, which will ironically take place on the morning of September 16. For every mile he puts in during training, he’s seeking monetary support.

“You can’t spell Sumner without the letters RUN,” he says with a smile. “Last week, I put in a little over 30 miles. Whether folks can pledge $1, $5, or $20 per mile, every penny goes toward helping the men and women who have given us the freedom to get up and go to work every day.”

Donations can be made through the event’s page or through a link on the Junior Service League of Hendersonville Facebook page.

Even the t-shirt Tim will wear during the half marathon has a fundraising component to it, a nod to his creativity as a small business owner. Ten different companies pledged $250 apiece to have their logo put on the t-shirt, making Tim a “running billboard” for the 13.1-mile course.

“I’ll be wearing a $2,500 t-shirt, so to speak,” he laughs, “and all that money is going to the veterans, which is awesome.”

Sweat equity for sweet rewards. An awesome concept, indeed.