Frances Adams-O'Brien, librarian, joined MTAS in October of 1999. Prior to joining MTAS, Frances worked in a speciality library in Florida. She holds a master's degree in information and library science and a bachelor's degree in sociology and psychology.
Melissa Ashburn, legal consultant, joined MTAS in November 2001. Prior to joining MTAS, Melissa was an associate in a Knoxville law firm. She holds a doctor of jurisprudence and a bachelor's degree in English. Melissa serves cities and towns in the western portion of the state.
Pete Auger, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in December 2022. Prior to coming to MTAS, Pete served as the city manager for Novi, Michigan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Ferris State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Oakland University. He serves cities and towns in northeast Tennessee.
Kari Bates, municipal finance training specialist, joined MTAS in February 2023. Prior to joining MTAS, Kari served as a city recorder in east Tennessee. She holds a bachelor's degree, is a Certified Municipal Financial Officer, and a Certified Public Manager.
Travis Bishop, Finance & Accounting Consultant, joined MTAS in November 2021. Prior to joining MTAS, Travis was the City Recorder in the Town of Erwin, Tennessee. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University and a Master of Science—Accountancy from Liberty University. He serves municipalities in east Tennessee.
Doug Brown, coordinator I, joined MTAS in November 2006. He holds an undergraduate degree in political science and a master's degree in education. He works primarily with the Municipal Management Academy and the Elected Officials Academy programs.
Sherri Brown, administrative specialist II, joined MTAS in November 2012. Prior to joining MTAS, Sherri was an accounting specialist for The Institute for Public Service, Administration Office. She holds an associate’s degree in paralegal studies. Sherri provides administrative support for accounts payable, contracts, travel, payroll, financial reports, and support for consultants as needed.
Angie Carrier, municipal management program manager, joined MTAS in January 2018. Prior to joining MTAS, Angie served Johnson City, TN as the Development Services Director. She has a master's degree in city management. She serves municipalities in the east Tennessee.
John Chlarson, public works consultant, joined MTAS in June 1998. Prior to joining MTAS, he held a variety of positions in government, industry, and private consulting. John holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He serves municipalities in middle and west Tennessee.
Steve Cross, Fire Management Consultant, joined MTAS in August 2017. He has served as the technical consulting program manager since 2022. He holds a bachelor's degree in fire protection and a master's degree in leadership and public service. He serves fire departments in east and middle Tennessee.
Betsy Cunningham, HR Consultant, joined MTAS in February, 2020. Prior to joining MTAS, she served as the Community & Public Relations Manager for a local credit union. Her most recent experience in the field was with a local electric company where she served as human resources and safety manager. She served as director of human resources for Blount County for 8 years. Betsy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She serves municipalities in east Tennessee.
Dana Deem, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in January 2010. Prior to joining MTAS, Dana served as city manager in Clifton, Tennessee. He holds a master's degree in operations management. He serves municipalities in west Tennessee.
Yolanda Dillard, training and development consultant, joined MTAS in January 2020. Prior to joining MTAS, Yolanda served as the Associate Director, Employer Partnerships for the University of Memphis Career Services, a position she held since 2016. She holds a MBA and a BS in Electrical Engineering. She serves municipalities in west Tennessee.
Chuck Downham, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in March 2021. Prior to joining MTAS, Chuck served as Spring Hill's assistant city administrator. He has also served as city administrator in Tullahoma, and has experience in city planning and development. He holds a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He serves municipalities in middle Tennessee.
Cyndy Edmonds, specialist II, joined MTAS in December 2013. Prior to joining MTAS, Cyndy was the UT Office of Information of Technology (OIT). She holds a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies. As part of our training team, Cyndy determines how online learning might benefit the educational experience and professional development of Tennessee municipalities and their employees.
John Eskew, municipal court specialist, joined MTAS in January 2020. Prior to joining MTAS, John was a risk manager and assistant human resources director in the city of Clarksville. He holds a doctor of jurisprudence and a bachelor's degree in political science.
Lyshanda Ewing, administrative coordinator, joined MTAS in September 2023. Prior to joining MTAS, Lyshanda served as a Marketing Specialist with Rural Metro of Tennessee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology.
Wes Fernandez, business manager, joined MTAS in May 2018. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting. Prior to joinng MTAS, he worked in the banking industry.
Nancy Gibson, administrative specialist II, joined MTAS in September 2006. Nancy is responsible for reviewing ordinances and compiling lists for inclusion in codes, producing new codes (and revisions), and compiling updates of existing municipal codes for cities.
John Grubbs rejoined MTAS in March 2020. Previously, he was the HR Director with Portland, Tennessee and worked at MTAS for four years as a human resource consultant. He holds a master's degree in Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration. He serves municipalities in middle Tennessee.
Jessica Harris, training and development coordinator, joined MTAS in July 2021. Prior to joining MTAS, Jessica recently worked as a coordinator in the taxpayer services area of the Tennessee Department of Revenue. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master's in adult education and training from Strayer University.
Brad Harris, finance and accounting consultant, joined MTAS in April 2012. Prior to joining MTAS, Brad served as the finance director for Athens, Tennessee. He is a CPA and holds a bachelor's degree in accounting. He serves cities and towns in southeast Tennessee.
Elisha Hodge, legal consultant, joined MTAS in October 2014. Prior to joining MTAS, Elisha was the Open Records Counsel with the Comptroller of the Treasury office. She holds a doctor of jurisprudence. Elisha serves cities and towns in the middle Tennessee.
Gary Jaeckel, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in September 1999. Prior to joining MTAS, Gary worked in Illinois cities. He holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in political science. He serves municipalities in middle Tennessee.
David Moore, police management consultant, joined MTAS in January 2019. Prior to joining MTAS, he spent more than 25 years in law enforcement. He serves municipalities in west and middle Tennessee.
Kelley Myers, administrative coordinator II, joined MTAS in November 2013. Before joining MTAS, she worked as a paralegal in a private litigation law firm. Kelley holds a bachelor’s degree in English and an advanced paralegal certification.
Warren Nevad, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in April 1999. Prior to coming to MTAS, Warren served as city manager in Georgia and Florida. He holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in business administration In 2008, he cofounded the Tennessee Renewable Energy & Economic Development Council (TREEDC). He serves municipalities in middle and east Tennessee.
Margaret Norris, executive director, joined MTAS in February 2001. She became executive director in August of 2017. She holds a master's degree in public administration and bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Spanish. Prior to joining MTAS as an employee, Margaret once worked for the agency as a graduate intern. Her other experience includes work in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; South Pittsburg Tennessee; and Lumberton, North Carolina.
Stephanie Allen O’Hara, legal consultant, joined MTAS in January 2010. Prior to joining MTAS, she served as a judicial clerk. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration, doctor of jurisprudence and masters’ degree in business administration. Stephanie serves cities and towns in the east Tennessee.
Justin O’Hara, IT administrator, joined MTAS in August 2004. Prior to joining MTAS, Justin was an IT administrator for UT Public Relations. He holds a bachelor's degree in business administration. He provides technical IT support to MTAS staff.
Abner Oglesby, legal manager, joined MTAS in January 2016. He began his MTAS career as a municipal courts specialist before promoting to the manager of training. In 2023, he moved to his current position of legal manager. Prior to joining MTAS, he served as a special assistant attorney general. He holds a doctor of jurisprudence.
Johanna Owenby, training and development program manager, joined MTAS in June 2018. Her MTAS career began as a training and development consultant before promoting to the team manager in November of 2023. Prior to joining MTAS, Johanna was with UT Organizational and Employee Development. She holds a master's degree in Educational Psychology. She serves municipalities in east Tennessee.
Donald Pannell, fire management consultant, joined MTAS in December 2021. Before coming to MTAS, he served as an Assistant Fire Marshall for the Memphis Fire Department. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Mississippi as well as a master's degree in operations management from the University of Arkansas. He serves municipalities in west and middle Tennessee.
Brad Peters, public works consultant, joined MTAS in July 2022. Prior to joining MTAS, he served as a town engineer and public works director for Greeneville, TN. He holds a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from UT Knoxville. He serves municipalities in middle and east Tennessee.
Joy Riddle, Administrative Support Assistant II, joined MTAS in October 2020. Prior to joining MTAS, Joy was an experienced brand ambassador with a demonstrated history of working in the marketing and advertising industry. Joy holds a bachelor's degree from Tusculum College.
She is the first person to greet MTAS guests and customers at the reception area in the Knoxville office.
Honna Rogers, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in June 2013. Prior to joining MTAS, Honna worked for the City of Sevierville and was a post-graduate management fellow with MTAS serving the cities of Athens, East Ridge, and Cleveland. She holds a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in history. She serves cities and towns in southeast Tennessee.
Del Sable, training and development consultant, joined MTAS in May 2023. Prior to joining MTAS, Del served as director of distribution training and development for Jackson National Life Distributors. He's also served as the manager of global operations for Franklin Templeton Academy. Del holds a bachelor's degree in business management. He serves municipalities in middle Tennessee.
Karen Seay, Administrative Associate, started at MTAS in August 2023. Before joining MTAS, she was a legal assistant for a Knoxville law firm. She holds a paralegal studies certificate.
Lisa Shipley, information technology analyst, joined MTAS in 1995. Prior to joining MTAS, Lisa worked at a large law firm. She holds a master's degree in IT and a bachelor's degree in business administration. Lisa also holds a graduate certificate in Online Teaching and Learning. She manages both system and website development.
Chris Shults, grants and training specialist, joined MTAS in September 2014. He holds a doctorate in political science, a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in political science. As the grants and training specialist, Chris draws on his experience to develop grant proposals and develop / deliver municipal training courses. Prior to joining MTAS, Chris worked for the University of Tennessee as a teaching associate in political science.
Eric Spencer, finance & accounting program manager, joined MTAS in October 2019 as a finance & accounting consultant. He was promoted to program manager in 2023. Prior to joining MTAS, Eric had 21 years of accounting experience, serving most recently as a Controller/Director of Accounting for Savant Learning Systems. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a master's degree in Accountancy. He serves municipalities in west Tennessee.
Kay Stegall, finance and accounting consultant, joined MTAS in March 2008. Prior to joining MTAS, Kay was employed by an accounting firm in west Tennessee. She is a CPA and holds a master's degree in business administration. She serves municipalities in west Tennessee.
Tonya Travis, finance and accounting consultant, joined MTAS in June 2021. Prior to joining MTAS, Tonya served as director of finance for Spring Hill. From 2007 to 2018, she served as finance director for Fayetteville. Tonya holds a bachelor's degree in accounting and is a Certified Municipal Finance Officer. She serves municipalities in middle Tennessee.
Peter Voss, HR Consultant, joined MTAS in February, 2020. Prior to joining MTAS, he served as the HR Director for the city of Hendersonville. Peter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He serves municipalities in west Tennessee.
John Waddell, Legal Counsel 1, joined MTAS in December 2023. Prior to joining MTAS, John served as the Senior Associate Counsel for the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services since 2022. He holds a Bachelor of Political Science from Lipscomb University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi.
Cassie Wheeler, finance and accounting consultant, joined MTAS in July 2021. Prior to joining MTAS, Cassie worked as an internal auditor with the city of Clarksville. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Austin Peay State University and is a Certified Municipal Finance Officer. She serves municipalities in middle Tennessee.
Rick Whitehead, municipal management consultant, joined MTAS in February 2004. Prior to joining MTAS, Rick served as a city manager in Tennessee and as a city attorney and city manager in Alabama. He holds professional degrees in public administration and law. Rick is a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar and is currently licensed to practice law in Tennessee. He serves municipalities in west Tennessee.
Steve Wyatt, utility operations consultant, joined MTAS in September 1998. Steve holds a bachelor's degree & in medical clinical science. He provides support to municipalities with their water management.
