TML names 2025-26 board; Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic elected president

The Tennessee Municipal League (TML) elected its 2025-2026 board of directors during its general business meeting recently held in conjunction with the TML Annual Conference in Chattanooga. 

Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic was elected president. As president of the League, Mayor McTizic will lead the organization as it advocates for the interests of 345 cities and towns across the state of Tennessee, and the citizens they serve.

“I am truly honored to be selected to serve as the Tennessee Municipal League’s next president, and I will work hard to advance the interests of Tennessee’s municipalities
– both large and small, urban and rural,” said Mayor McTizic. “Our state needs strong
cities now more than ever. And cities – all 345 - need TML. Local leadership is so very important. When our cities and towns stand together with one voice, the results benefit all of our citizens."

Other board elections include two vice presidents: 1st Vice President Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks, and TML 2nd Vice President Lawrenceburg Mayor Blake Lay. TML vice presidents are traditionally in line to serve as president.

Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown will remain on the board as immediate past president.

The TML board also includes mayors of Tennessee's four largest cities, four at-large directors, and eight district directors.

The four urban mayors are: Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, and Metro Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.

The four at-large directors were nominated by a six-member nominating committee composed of municipal officials statewide. They were then elected for a one-year term by a majority vote from members in attendance at the business meeting. Those directors are:
Roland “Trey” Dykes, Newport Mayor; Johnny Dodd, Jackson City Council; Paul Montgomery, Kingsport Mayor; and Joe Pitts, Clarksville Mayor.

The eight district directors, representing their section of the state, were nominated and elected during district caucuses. They are: District 1: Michael Baker, Erwin Alderman; District 2: Gary Chesney, Morristown Mayor; District 3: Stefanie Dalton, Red Bank Mayor; District 4: Keith Morrison, Algood City Administrator; District 5: Tim Ellis, Goodlettsville
City Manager; District 6: Jessica Salamida, Nolensville Vice Mayor; District 7: Kim Foster,
Paris City Manager; and District 8: Bethany Huffman, Millington Alderwoman.

Mike Callis, Portland Mayor and Chairman of the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund also sits on the board. And a representative from an affiliate organization is also a voting board member, Jay Evans, Brentwood assistant city administrator and president of the
Tennessee City Management Association.