Owen hails Madison’s nurturing schools
- Thomas and Kim Owen stand with their children Kate, Anna and Nathan. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Madison City Schools is at the top of Kim Owen’s list for loving Madison.
“My kids have attended Columbia elementary for seven years. We’ve been so pleased by the education they have received, the administration and their teachers,” Owen said.
As treasurer of Columbia PTA, Owen spends many hours at school helping with PTA projects and volunteering with her children’s classes. “I love the opportunity to see my kids during the school day, as well as getting to know their friends and teachers better,” she said.
“With so much engineering in the area, there’s a great emphasis on STEM. Learning opportunities and events abound for kids,” she said.
She also volunteers with the children’s ministry at Asbury United Methodist Church “in ministering to our young people. Our children have been in this ministry since they were babies,” Owen said.
Madison is conducive for raising children, because it’s a safe community, she said. Owen’s family likes Madison’s sidewalks and Bradford Creek Greenway for safe walking and bicycling.
“I love running into friends and neighbors at the grocery store or ball field. I also love the city’s large community events, such as Madison Street Festival, Christmas Parade or summer concerts downtown,” Owen said. Madison has the feel of community but with big-city amenities.
Owen was born in Syracuse, N.Y. but spent most of her childhood in Murfreesboro, Tenn. TN, where she met future husband Thomas, now a software engineer at Lockheed Martin. She graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
She moved to Madison in January 2001. Then fiancee Thomas followed in 2002 after graduating from Tennessee Tech. “After moving to Madison, I obtained my MBA from Auburn University via distance learning,” Owen said. Previously, she worked as a design engineer at Lockheed Martin.
Their children are sixth-grader Kate, third-grader Anna and kindergartner Nathan, who all attend Columbia.
Contemporary Christian is her choice in music.
“Chuck Wagon BBQ ‘s brisket is the best I’ve ever had. I love strawberry pretzel salad from Main Street Cafe,” she said. The Owens enjoy Fulin’s, Uncle Maddio’s and Bruster’s ice cream.
