A graduate of Appalachian State University (B.S. - Statistics) and North Carolina State University (M.Ed. - Higher Education Administration), Senator Hise is a statistician and a member of the faculty at Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine.
Senator Hise co-chairs the Senate Committee for Appropriations on Health and Human Services.
The American Conservative Union recently presented Senator Hise with its 'Defender of Liberty' award based on his support of conservative legislation. He also received a perfect score from The North Carolina Free Enterprise Foundation for his voting record on business and job-related legislation.
A native of Mitchell County, Senator Hise attended Mitchell High School and the North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics. He lives in Spruce Pine with his wife Linn and twin four year old sons, Thomas and Deren, and attends Abundant Life Outreach Church.
Previously, Senator Hise served two terms as mayor of Spruce Pine. He worked for the NC Victory Campaign under the North Carolina Republican Party in the 2004 and 2006 elections and has served as the chairman and vice-chairman of the Mitchell County Republican Party