People

Joe Pereira has been selected as a new fire education specialist for the Collierville Fire Department. Pereira comes to Collierville from the Memphis Fire Department and recently achieved his paramedic certification from Dyersburg State Community College. He will work with Collierville on a part...

Jerele Neeld has officially been appointed as the chief information officer for the city of Chattanooga after serving in the role on an interim basis since March. Before that, he was the director of intelligent cities for Chattanooga. Neeld joined the city of Chattanooga with more than 20 years of...

Kevin Stoltenberg has been selected as the new assistant city manager of Maryville. The announcement comes as the city sets up succession plans for upcoming retirements to ensure leadership continuity. Stoltenberg served for five years in the U.S. Navy before graduating from Southern Illinois...

Robert “Bobby” Simmons, Jr., a former Bartlett alderman and longtime public servant, died June 19, 2024 at the age of 79. Simmons served as a deputy with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office for 35 years, eventually obtaining the rank of captain. A native of Bartlett, Simmons also served for 20 years...

Randy Trivette is the new deputy city manager for the city of Johnson City. Trivette has been serving as the city’s assistant manager since 2022. He joined the city in 2018 as the first director of the city’s facilities management department. Prior to joining Johnson City, Trivette served in Erwin...

Robert Knecht has announced his retirement as public works director for the city of Memphis. Knecht has been with the city of Memphis’ public works department for 23 years, moving from an engineer to the director of the division. He was first appointed to serve as director of the department in 2015...

Gary Chandler has been appointed to fill the Erwin alderman recently vacated by former Vice Mayor Paula Kay Edwards. Chandler is a former member of the Erwin Board of Mayor and Alderman and is also a member of the Erwin Utilities Board of Directors. Alderman Mickey Hatcher was also appointed vice...

Michael Clark has been selected as the new director of community and economic development for the town of Collierville. Clark’s first day will be Aug. 5, 2024. Clark brings more than two decades of experience in urban and regional planning, community development, and economic growth strategies to...

Don Teal has retired as police chief of Martin. Teal began his career in 1983 and has 41 years of experience with the Martin Police Department. Throughout his career, Teal has been involved in every area of the department before being named chief in 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education...

Steve Bower has been named the new economic development director for the city of Kingsport. Bower served in the Tennessee National Guard as a cavalry scout from 2015 to 2021. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in public administration, both from East Tennessee State...

Rydell Wesson has retired as city manager of Dickson following 32 years of service to the city. Wesson began his career with the city of Dickson as an assistant building official in the Dickson Office of Planning and Zoning in 1988. Two years later, he returned to his hometown of Savannah to serve...