People

Phillip Fuqua has been selected as the new chief of police for Martin, taking over from retiring Chief Don Teal. Fuqua previously served as the department’s assistant chief of police and began his career in law enforcement at the Martin Police Department in 2001. He holds a bachelor’s degree in...

Jim Colvin has been selected as the chief of police for the city of Brentwood and will take over from current Chief Richard Hickey following his retirement in February 2025. Colvin presently serves as the assistant police chief for the city of Brentwood and will serve as the fifth chief of police...

Frankie Dakin has been selected as the new city manager of Millington, Dakin is presently serving as deputy chief of staff for the Shelby County government for the past two years. He has worked with the Shelby County government for nearly six years, including roles as press secretary, and special...

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...