Now serving his first term on the Sanford City Council, Sam Gaskins is a chemistry professor at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, a position he has held since 1999. Before moving to academia, he retired after more than two decades as a manufacturing manager for Pfizer/Coty.

Gaskins is well-known locally through service on a number of boards. He twice served as president of Sanford Kiwanis and led the Temple Theatre board of directors from 1996 to 1998. Other board memberships have included the Coalition for Families, United Way of Lee County, Helping Hand Clinic and Brush and Palette Club.

A graduate of Indiana University with a master's degree from DePauw University, Gaskins has been listed in "Who's Who in Indiana," "Who's Who in the South and Southwest" and "Who's Who Worldwide." He is married to Lynda F. Turbeville and is active in St. Thomas Episcopal Church.