photo by Don Mooney
Neil Strebig Memphis Commercial Appeal
Memphis Mayor-elect Paul Young has announced another round of senior leadership appointments along with a few other staff positions for his incoming administration. Young, who will take office on Jan. 1, previously served as the president and CEO of the Downtown Memphis Commission (DMC). On Wednesday, the DMC announced Chandell Ryan as its new president and CEO.
“We recognize the importance of the work we are tasked with and are building a solutions-oriented team capable of innovative thought and response,” Young said in a statement. “This team will be mission-focused on crime, community, and creating a stronger Memphis — our priorities will be defined by our city’s needs.”
All interim appointees currently hold the deputy chief or deputy director role in their respective departments, according to the news release. The newly created special advisor to the mayor on public safety role is still vacant as the administration continues its search. Division chief and director appointees are still subject to Memphis City Council approval.
Thursday’s staff administration announcement comes a little more than a month since the mayor-elect made his first appointments. In November, Young announced Tannera Gibson and Penelope Huston would be joining his staff. Gibson will serve as chief legal officer and Huston will be the chief communications officers. Earlier this month, Young also publicly endorsed Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis in her respective role.
Thursday’s administration announcement and appointments are as follows:
New appointments
- Chief information officer: Eric Keane
- Chief of policy and programs: Haley Simmons
- Chief of staff: Mairi Albertson
- Chief communications officer: Penelope Huston (previously appointed)
- Chief legal officer: Tannera Gibson (previously appointed)
- Deputy chief of staff: Karen Gause
- Special assistant, Community Affairs director: Dr. Reginald Boyce
- Special assistant, Government/Legislative Affairs: Lydia Holmes Sokoll
- Special assistant, Youth Services Director: Brian Harris
- Executive assistant: Renee Sekander
Interim appointments
- Chief financial officer: Walter Person
- Chief operating officer: Antonio Adams
- Director, General Services: Melvin Jamerson
Carry-over appointments
These are staff who served in the same position/role under Mayor Jim Strickland’s administration.
- Chief human resources officer: Fonda Fouche
- Fire Chief: Gina Sweat
- Memphis Police Chief: Cerelyn “CJ” Davis (previously announced appointment)
- 311 director: Carolyn Malone
- Animal Services director: Ty Coleman
- Engineering director: Manny Belen
- Gangs Violence Intervention Prevention (GVIP) director: Jimmie Johnson
- Director, Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development: John Zeanah
- Housing & Community Development director: Ashley Cash
- Libraries director: Keenon McCloy
- Parks and Neighborhoods director: Nick Walker
- Public Works director: Robert Knecht
- Solid Waste director: Philip Davis
- Special Assistant: Neighborhood Affairs director: Steve Shular.