Winchester's Beth Rhoton named 2026 TCMA City Manager of the Year

Since joining the city in 2002, Winchester City Administrator Beth Rhoton has shown a tireless commitment and unwavering work ethic that has proven transformational, exemplifying how the best leaders lead through service. 

It is for this reason that the Tennessee City Management Association (TCMA) has recognized Beth Rhoton as its City Manager of the Year for 2026. Rhoton was presented with the award July 12, 2026, at the 86th Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) held at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport.

Consistently going above and beyond her duties, Rhoton has been a tireless advocate for both the city and its residents. Her leadership is demonstrated through literal hands-on commitment with Rhoton working alongside the city’s public works crews to clear debris and restore road access in the wake of devastating tornadoes in the community. 

When the federal U.S. 2020 Census reported Winchester’s population at 9,375, Rhoton had the foresight and determination to pursue a special census, resulting in a revised population county of 10,400. By crossing this key population threshold, Winchester has been able to recruit new businesses and secure additional resources. 

Rhoton is also an economic development leader, constantly seeking to attract new businesses and economic growth to secure vital long-term prosperity for Winchester. In that realm, she has provided visionary leadership in a remarkable downtown revitalization project that has transformed a formerly underutilized area into a vibrant economic, cultural, and community hub. 

By bringing together private and public stakeholders, she was able to secure funding and implement a strategic revitalization plan that balanced preserving the unique, historic character of downtown Winchester with the need for modern development. 

Rhoton also spearheaded infrastructure improvements and beautification projects that enhanced walkability and accessibility, ultimately attracting new businesses. She has supported local entrepreneurs, championed festivals and events to increase foot traffic and community pride, and fostered collaboration across municipal departments to streamline zoning, permitting, and downtown planning processes. Now Winchester’s downtown revitalization is a model for other regional municipalities and has elevated the entire city. 

Through her calm and composed demeanor, Rhoton serves not from behind a desk but from the heart of her community through listening, engaging, and adapting when necessary. She approaches both short- and long-term challenges with vision and resolve, from complex development projects to new business opportunities to addressing individual citizen concerns. In all of her contributions to Winchester’s success, Rhoton never seeks the spotlight, preferring instead to emphasize the value of teamwork and consistently crediting her staff and department heads for the city’s success. 

Rhoton also works to help others outside her role as city manager. She founded a school in Honduras dedicated to teaching children English and actively raises funds to provide essential school supplies and hygiene product that support the well-being and development of the students.