December 19, 2014 - Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero made the following board appointments in November:
Rickey Cheek, appointed to the Mechanical/Gas Board of Adjustment and Appeals.
Cheek is the owner of Metro Piping & Gas Service with over 35 years of experience working in the gas, plumbing and HVAC industry. He currently holds a State of Tennessee mechanical license, City of Knoxville gas license, City of Knoxville plumbing license, City of Knoxville mechanical license, and a State of Tennessee residential building contractor license. Cheek has a U.S. patent on a gas safety device. As an inventor, he performs research and development for new products for the industry. He is a member of the Oak Ridge Sportsmen's Association (ORSA), where he volunteers as an indoor range officer. Cheek is also a member of Bright Hope Lodge and the Tennessee Inventors Association. His term runs through June 30, 2019.
The Mechanical/Gas Board of Adjustment and Appeals holds a meeting once each quarter for the examination of applicants desiring licenses for installing, repairing and maintaining various energy-related equipment/utilities.
Jim Richards, appointed to the Knoxville Transportation Authority.
Richards is General Manager of Mast General Store in Downtown Knoxville and is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He has been very involved in Downtown Knoxville and is an avid outdoorsman and cyclist. Richards has worked to promote Knoxville as a bike-friendly city. He supports using alternative transportation to help improve air quality, as well as other environmental and health concerns of our region.
In addition, Richards actively volunteers to promote Smart Trips through the bicycling ambassador program, and helped establish an employee transit program at Mast General to promote healthy active lifestyles for employees. He currently serves as a board member for Ijams Nature Center and the Market Square District Association, and also serves as a committee member for the Legacy Park Foundation's Urban Adventure Race. His term will expire on December 31, 2018.
The Knoxville Transportation Authority serves as the policy-making board for all for-hire intra-city passenger transportation services, including bus transit service, taxicabs and private for-hire transportation services.
Additionally, the KTA sets schedules, fares and routes for KAT services.
Thomas Welborn, appointed to the City Tree Board.
Welborn is a Certified Wetlands Scientist and Certified Wildlife Biologist. He has extensive experience in the bottomland hardwood systems of the Lower Mississippi Valley and forest management of wetland systems. Welborn retired in December 2010, after 36 years of federal service. He was employed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1985 to 2010. During his time there, he served as Chief of the Wetlands, Coastal and Oceans Branch. This branch was responsible for the Southeast wetlands protection programs under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and EPA's coastal programs, including the National Estuary Program, the ocean disposal and discharge program, and the Nonpoint Source Grant Program. From 1979 to 1985, Welborn was employed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District. His primary duties were wetland delineation and conducting impact assessments in forested wetlands of the Lower Mississippi Valley. He was also an instructor of Forestry and Wildlife Biology at Haywood Community College in North Carolina from 1974 to 1977.
Welborn has received numerous awards for his work, including the EPA Bronze Medal, the EPA Red Heinen National Wetlands Award, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director's Conservation Award, the Southern Group of State Foresters' George Dissmeyer Outstanding Service Award for Forest Water Resources, and the EPA Gold Medal for Distinguished Career Service.
Welborn is currently secretary for the North Hills Garden Club, and also serves on the club's Parks and Boulevards Committee. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and a Master's degree in Wildlife Management from the University of Tennessee. He will be filling the unexpired term of Travis Davis, and his term will expire on December 31, 2017.
The purpose of the City Tree Board is to formulate a master street tree plan for all municipal property. The Board assists in disseminating news and information regarding the selection; planting, establishment, and maintenance of trees; and advising City Council on desirable legislation concerning the City's tree program.