KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No mayor can lead a city by themselves. They need cabinets to help. Indya Kincannon, Knoxville's mayor-elect, is not different and so on Monday, she announced who will fill her cabinet.
Her leadership team will center around three deputies: a Chief Operating Officer, a Chief of Economic and Community Development and a Chief Policy Officer.
“Strong leadership and effective management are core to any organization,” Mayor-elect Kincannon said in a press release. “My leadership team is aligned around the issues that matter to the people of our City: high quality and efficient government services; policy leadership to address tough issues collaboratively and transparently; and inclusive economic development that expands opportunities for all Knoxvillians.”
David Brace will continue his role as Chief Operating Officer. He worked as the Chief Operating Officer since 2017 and as the COO, he oversees city departments such as Public Service, Parks and Recreation, Engineering, Information Systems, Finance and several others.
Stephanie Welch is resigning from her City Council position to join as Chief of Economic and Community Development. When she officially starts in her new role in mid-February, she will balance efforts to invest in Knoxville's private sector while focusing on housing affordability, community wealth building and inclusive economic development.
To fill the role of Chief Policy Officer, Kincannon selected Erin Gill. She was the Director of Sustainability under Mayor Madeline Rogero and will now oversee communications, sustainability, as well as the Center for Service Innovation. She will also oversee state and federal legislative projects.
Along with her deputies, Kincannon made some additions to her cabinet.
Bill Lyons, who serves as Deputy to Mayor Rogero and is the current Chief Policy Officer, will stay on as a special advisor to Kincannon. He retired as a Professor of Political Science at the University of Tennessee in 2012.
Charles Lomax is also joining Kincannon's cabinet under a new division of Community Empowerment. He will focus on advancing inclusivity, diversity and equity withing Knoxville while also engaging residents and neighborhoods for collaborative decision-making.
Kincannon is accepting applications for Chief Financial Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Director of Transit. The current Finance Director, Jim York is retiring at the end of the year along with Janet Wright, the Director of Information Systems.
Eric Vreeland will be the acting Communications Director through the transition and will continue as Deputy Director of Communications with the new administration.
Indya Kincannon, Knoxville's Mayor-Elect, will take office on Dec. 21. She will be inaugurated at the Bijou Theatre before formally taking up office.