People

Mary Beth Elrod has been selected as the new public works director for the city of Cookeville following the retirement of Blake Mayo. Elrod has been with Cookeville Public Works since May 2022 and has more than 13 years of professional experience as an engineer and project manager. Elrod holds a...

Justin Crosby has been selected as the director of Clarksville’s Building and Codes Department. Crosby has been serving as the interim director of the department and prior to that was deputy director of the department. Crosby has more than 20 years of service to the Clarksville community in a...

Bob Barnes, former fire chief for the Bristol Fire Department, died April 7, 2024, at the age of 71. Barnes began his career with the Bristol Fire Department in 1974. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1981, captain in 1995, and battalion chief in 2001. He was named chief of the department in 2007 and...

Christopher Tincher, a captain with the Kingsport Police Department, recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., as part of the 289th Session. Tincher joined 200 men and women from 47 states, 23 countries, four military organizations, and five federal civilian organizations...

Bob Mullin, former mayor of Lakesite, died on April 1, 2024, at the age of 86. Mullin served on the Lakesite City Commission on and off from 1973 until accepting the position of mayor in 2004. He served as the town’s mayor from 2004 through 2010. He was instrumental in securing a land-lease for a 45...

Seth Lyles has been selected as the new police chief of Dickson following the retirement of longtime Chief Jeff Lewis last month. Lyles most recently served as assistant police chief for Dickson since 2017 and is a 27-year veteran of law enforcement. Lyles has been with the Dickson Police Department...

Avery Johnson, longtime vice mayor of Cleveland, has announced he will retire in May. Johnson has spent 22 years as Cleveland’s vice mayor and has served on the Cleveland City Council since 1993. Johnson also retired after 44 years of service to Maytag Cooking Products in Cleveland. He is a past...

Jimmy Massengill, former mayor of Graysville, died March 20, 2024 at the age of 53. Massengill spent more than 20 years on the Graysville City Council, serving both as mayor and vice mayor. He also spent 33 years as a firefighter with the Dayton Fire Department.  

Haley Smith has been named as the first communications and marketing manager for the city of Cookeville. She will report directly to City Manager James Mills and will enhance connectivity and engagement between the city and residents. Smith has five years of professional experience, most recently...

Chuck Downham has been selected as the new assistant town manager and project manager for the town of Nolensville. Downham has more than 37 years of municipal management, planning, and project management experience, and joins the town of Nolensville from serving as a municipal management consultant...

Chris Cummins has been selected as the interim chief of Columbia Fire and Rescue. Cummins has more than 30 years of experience with Columbia Fire and Rescue, joining as a firefighter in 1990. He has since served as a fire engineer, driver, captain, assistant chief of suppression and retired as...