Career

Faughn was elected in 2002 by the city council, as the city of Poplar Bluff does not directly elect mayors. Faughn"s tenure as mayor was an eventful time period in Poplar Bluff history. During lean budget years, the city prospered and gave raises to all city employees while increasing the numbers in the police force and fire department.

Many attribute the successes to the Poplar Bluff City Manager Tom Lawson.

Faughn was also noted for his very aggressive tactics in dealing with other city council members and political opponents. In 2004 Faughn left the mayor"s office to become executive vice president of the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.

During a brief tenure leading the Chamber of Commerce, Faughn set records for membership and led efforts to salvage the expansion of the Nordyne project adding over 400 jobs to the local economy. His tenure as Chamber executive was noted by his very vocal positions.

Faughn left two months after the Missouri Department of Transportation approved the matching funds for the expansion.

In early 2004 the Missouri Department of Transportation voted unanimously to fund the project pending approval of a bond measure by the city of Poplar Bluff. The city subsequently approved the measure by a two to one margin. The project broke ground in November 2005 and is expected to be completed by 2012.

Faughn started the Coalition, Corporation, and led the effort to see MODOT go from not considering any improvements to to completing the corridor in less than 3 years.

Even Faughn"s enemies begrudginly give him cr for the highway expansion while opposing his methods. In March 2007, Faughn was convicted jury of three felony counts of forgery.

An appellate court affirmed the forgery conviction on appeal.