Jim Thomas

Jim Thomas has been named the interim leader of the University of Tennessee’s Institute of Public Service (IPS) while 14-member committee conducts a search for permanent leadership. Thomas will take on the role beginning Oct. 1, following the retirement of current director Dr. Herb Byrd III. Thomas previously retired from IPS in 2017, where he served as executive director of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS) from 2011 to 2017. Thomas’ spent 30 years in public service, beginning with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture from 1978 to 1985, returning to the public sector. From 1993 to 1999, he was a member of Goodlettsville's Planning and Zoning Commission and then elected as a commissioner for the city, serving from 1996 to 1999. That year, he became Goodlettsville’s assistant city manager and served until 2004, when he was appointed city manager. In 2011, he left his role as city manager to head MTAS.