Mayor Rogero Appoints Branscom as Director of Public Works

Communications Director

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

400 Main St., Room 691
Knoxville, TN 37902

Last item for navigation
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share via Email

Mayor Rogero Appoints Branscom as Director of Public Works

Posted: 12/19/2011
Mayor Madeline Rogero announced that Christi Branscom, who brings a strong background in development, construction and law, has been appointed director of public works for the City of Knoxville.

Branscom has been with Partners Development since 1991 and also is president and founder of Grace Construction, a woman-owned business. At Partners, she serves as chief administrative officer, general counsel and managing broker. She has a principal broker's license and a law degree.

"Christi Branscom is particularly well-qualified to carry out my pledge to keep customer service by the city at a very high level," Rogero said. "The public works department interacts regularly with the public and the business community, and Christi's experience in working with a diverse client base will be invaluable as we strive for an even higher degree of service."

In addition to being a member of the Knoxville and Tennessee bar associations, Branscom is a member of national, state and local associations of home builders and realtors. She is a past vice chair of the Central Business Improvement District and served on the Executive Committee of the Knoxville Chamber Partnership.

"It was not an easy decision to leave the private sector, but I am confident that what I have learned in the business world will help make the city even more responsive to the needs of the public and business owners," Branscom said. "I am looking forward to working with the Mayor and Deputy to the Mayor Eddie Mannis on delivering city services efficiently."

Branscom has worked on numerous Partners projects, including Gettysvue Polo, Golf and Country Club, Carson-Newman College buildings, Weisgarber Medical Park, Parkside Plazas I and II, Webb School, and Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU). She has served as a consultant to Knoxville's Community Development Corporation on construction and redevelopment projects.

Partners' focus on sustainable development resulted in ORAU's Center for Science and Education receiving the first LEED Gold certified rating for a new office building in the state. LEED is a national green building rating system. Grace Construction, named after Branscom's daughter, built the first residence in Gettysvue that emphasized green features throughout.

Branscom will join the city on Feb. 1, 2012, after completing the Knoxville build for a deserving family as part of ABC's "Extreme Makeover Home Edition" program. Grace Construction was selected to lead the project and is donating its services for free. HGTV host Scott Branscom, Christi's husband and business partner, is working on the project as well, along with hundreds of community volunteers. It is scheduled to be finished in January, and the program will air in 2012.

Branscom is heavily involved in the community. She is a member of the Executive Women's Association and a 2009 graduate of Leadership Knoxville. Branscom graduated with honors in finance from the University of Tennessee and earned her law degree from the University of Memphis.