Kesler Named New Director

Communications Director

Kristin Farley
[email protected]
(865) 215-2589

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

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Kesler Named New Director

Posted: 08/04/2005
Knoxville banker and community leader Renee Kesler has been named director of community development for the City of Knoxville, Mayor Haslam announced today.

She will oversee the City's Community Development Division, which leverages funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Affairs for local neighborhood improvements, particularly programs related to economic development, housing and job training.

She will report to Sam Anderson, senior director of the City's Department of Community and Neighborhood Services.

Kesler succeeds Kevin DuBose, who has been named director of economic and community development for the city of Macon, Ga. "Renee's professional experience and extensive community involvement are tailor-made for this role, and I appreciate her willingness to serve," Mayor Haslam said. "Her participation in current community development efforts across East Tennessee will allow her to hit the ground running and provide a smooth transition for this important work."

"I appreciate Kevin's contributions to the City during his tenure, and wish him well as he takes on this new challenge for his professional career," the Mayor stated.

Kesler has been with AmSouth Bank since 1999, currently serving as community development officer, assistant vice president for the Northeast Tennessee and Virginia region. In that role, she provided leadership, support, and continual improvement in lending, service, investment, outreach and assessment of activity relative to community development efforts. She also serves on the board of directors of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, Community Investment Fund, East Tennessee Community Housing Development Board Corp. (chair); East Tennessee Community Design Center, Foundation Forward Inc., Knox Housing Partnership (executive committee, secretary/treasurer), and Neighborhood Housing and Commercial Services Inc.

She has served on the board of commissioners for Knoxville's Community Development Corp. and the board of directors of the City's Industrial Development Board.

Kesler also serves on the advisory boards for the following organizations: Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Equality Coalition for Housing Opportunities, Fannie Mae, Tennessee, Heart of Knoxville Career Investment Center and Knox County Fair Housing.

She will join the City of Knoxville on August 15.