People

Demetrice Johnson, an officer with the Memphis Police Department, died Aug. 2, 2024 following a two-vehicle car accident in Memphis. He was 34. Officer Demetrice Johnson began his career with the Memphis Police Department in May 2023. He graduated from the Training Academy in Basic Recruit Class 142...

David Santucci has been selected as the new town manager of Smyrna. Santucci comes to Smyrna from Deerfield Beach, Fla., where he served as city manager and in other roles since 2011. He began his career in public service in 2004, working in local governments as well as in public procurement in Lee...

Paige Jackson has been promoted to assistant finance director for the city of Tullahoma. Jackson has been with the city as a purchasing officer since 2016. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a master’s degree in business...

Mike Bell, longtime state legislative leader, has been selected as the new assistant commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance (TDCI) Division of Fire Prevention, which also includes the State Fire Marshal’s Office. A native of McMinn County and former small business owner...

Kirsten Ert Acuff, city manager of Lakesite, has been selected to join the 32 members of the Leadership Tennessee NEXT program. Leadership Tennessee NEXT is an opportunity for early to mid-career young leaders to create cross-state, cross-sector networks, learn about Tennessee’s strengths and...

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has confirmed the appointment of two employees to new roles and the hiring of a third.  

Carol Hunter has been selected as the new administrator of the city’s department of community development. Hunter previously served as the director of operations for the department and...

James Lewellen has been selected as a new municipal management consultant with the University of Tennessee's Municipal Technical Advisory Service’s (UT-MTAS) West Tennessee office. Lewellen comes to MTAS from Collierville, where he spent more than 25 years as town administrator. Serving in the role...

Lyle Russell has become the community engagement officer for the city of Tullahoma. Russell served as deputy parks and recreation director and city forester for the past eight years. He will take over the community engagement officer position from Emma Cook, who is now director of marketing and...

Moses Freeman, former Chattanooga city councilman, city employee and local civil rights icon, died Aug. 4, 2024 at the age of 85. Freeman held the District 8 seat on the Chattanooga City Council from 2013 to 2017, serving as chair of the council for a year between 2016 and 2017. A graduate of...

James Webb, retired police chief and recently elected councilman for the city of Loudon, died unexpectedly on June 30 at the age of 62. Webb had retired after 40 years of law enforcement service in the area. Described as a “dedicated public servant,” his career with the Loudon Police Department...

Dale Armour has been selected to serve as the new chief of police for the town of Nolensville after the retirement of current Chief Roddy Parker later this year. Armour has more than 40 years' experience in law enforcement, serving on the local, state, and federal. He began as a volunteer Reserve...

Sue Matthews has been selected as the new finance director for the city of Lakeland. Matthews joins the city after having served as director of finance for the Memphis Botanic Gardens where she oversaw a $6 million capital improvement campaign and a three-year strategic plan to update grounds on the...