Franklin announces leadership changes in several city departments
The city of Frankin has announced the promotion of four people to leadership roles in the city following a series of retirements.
Jerry Hatcher has been promoted to director of the Franklin Streets Department, most recently having served as the assistant director of the department since 2021. Hatcher takes over the role from Steve Grubb, who retired from the city after 26 years with five as the department’s director.
Hatcher is a professional engineer and has more than 30 years of civil engineering experience. He previously worked with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) for 29 years, in various leadership roles. He is a member of the Middle Tennessee Section of the American Society of Highway Engineers where he has served as a member of the Program Committee, Board Member and Section President.
He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He served for many years on the Board of Advisors for the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at UT, Knoxville.
Nate Ridley was promoted to Director of Sanitation and Environmental Services and most recently served as the department’s assistant director. He takes over the role from Jack Tucker, who retired after 11 years with the six and six as director.
Ridley began his career in 1999 on the back of a sanitation truck and has more than 25 years’ experience in solid waste management, including working in collection, transfer, and recycling. He holds Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) certifications in Managing Collection Systems (2011) and Integrated Solid Waste Management Systems (2015) and has been a Certified Instructor with SWANA since 2013, sharing his knowledge and experience with others in the industry.
Suzanne Ward has been selected as the new purchasing manager for the city, replacing Brian Wilcox who retired after two years. Ward has been in the purchasing division of Franklin’s Finance Department for 12 years, beginning as a purchasing analyst and then serving as a purchasing manager.
She is a Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification from the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC). She also earned the National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) Certified Procurement Professional (CPP) certification.
Margaret Wilson has also been promoted to comptroller in the city’s finance department. Wilson began working with the city in 2018 and was promoted to financial manager in 2020. She earned her CMFO in 2021 and became a Certified Public Finance Officer through the GFOA in 2024. She takes over from previous comptroller Mike Lowe, who retired after 25 years in the position.