Memphis Mayor-elect Paul Young makes next round of administration appointments. Here's who
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.
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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
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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.
Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com, 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilStrebig
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Paul Young administration: Memphis Mayor-elect makes new appointments
