06/18/2012

MTAS Staff,

I am pleased to announce that current MTAS Executive Director Steve Thompson has accepted the position as assistant vice president at IPS, and MTAS Assistant Director Jim Thomas will take over as the new Executive Director of the agency effective July 16.

Steve has served as MTAS executive director since 2010. During that time he has solidly represented the agency and its work with Tennessee’s 345 cities. In his time here, he has established himself as a valuable member of the IPS leadership team. With his experience and knowledge in municipal government and public service, it is a natural move for him to step into the role as assistant vice president. You should know that Steve was not anxious to leave MTAS and I, in fact, recruited him to apply for this position.

The decision to move Steve into this position was made easier by knowing we had Jim, a logical and very capable successor in place. I have no doubts that he will keep MTAS as strong as ever, and continuing to serve Tennessee’s cities.

Jim will remain based in Nashville with frequent trips to Knoxville, and a search will begin for a new assistant director who will be based in Knoxville. More information to come related to this search in the very near future.

I wish I could meet with each of you in person to share this news, but scheduling will not allow it. I’m sorry that both Steve and Jim are out of the office today. I wanted you to hear directly from me, so I decided to proceed with the announcement.

I hope you will join me in congratulating Steve and Jim in their new positions.

Mary




Mary H. Jinks
Vice President
Institute for Public Service
The University of Tennessee
Suite 105 Student Services Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996-0213

Mary.jinks@tennessee.edu
865-974-8278

www.ips.tennessee.edu