Today, Mayor Indya Kincannon announced several changes to her Administration to reflect concentrated focus on two key priorities: housing and economic development. The change includes the appointment of both a Chief Housing Officer and a Chief Economic Development Officer, two cabinet-level leadership positions that will deepen the City’s focus on these critical issues.
“The departure of Stephanie Welch and the retirement of Becky Wade have opened up an opportunity to restructure my top leadership team, “said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “These new roles will help us accomplish even more in areas that are increasingly important to Knoxvillians.”
Current City of Knoxville Director of Engineering Harold Cannon has been named Chief Economic Development Officer.
Amy Brooks, who is currently the Executive Director for Knoxville-Knox County Planning, has been named as the City’s new Chief Housing Officer and Director of the City’s Housing & Neighborhood Development Department.
In appointing the Chief Housing Officer and Chief Economic Development Officer positions, Mayor Kincannon emphasized that both are crucial to meeting the needs of the community. “A thriving city must have both a robust economy and a healthy housing market; the two go hand-in-hand.” Kincannon said. “Director Cannon and Director Brooks each bring a successful track record and key relationships to help us accelerate our efforts in both housing and business development.”
Cannon currently assists with Mayor Kincannon’s Developers Roundtable and other efforts to streamline the process of investing in Knoxville and doing business with the City. He says this new role will build on that progress. “I am excited to have the opportunity to work even more closely with the business community,” said Cannon. “My goal is to continue the ‘can do’ approach for the business community that the Mayor and Stephanie Welch have been committed to since the Mayor’s first day in office.”
Brooks has been with Knoxville-Knox County Planning since 2007 and has led numerous projects to promote quality housing, transportation, and economic growth in East Tennessee, including the region’s Sustainable Communities grant from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). She says this appointment is a great way to continue to serve the Knoxville community. “I am looking forward to working in this new capacity,” said Brooks. “This is a tremendous opportunity to build on the incredible work of Becky Wade and our partners to help shape the future of housing and neighborhoods for residents across the city.”
Cannon and Brooks will begin their new jobs in September 2022.
Meanwhile, Mayor Kincannon also announced that Boyce Evans will serve as the City’s new Chief Financial Officer. Evans has been serving as Deputy Director for the last 2 years and has worked at the City for 16 years, including a term as Acting Director of Finance during a previous transition.
Kittrin Smith will now become the Acting Deputy Director of Finance. She has worked for the City for more than 10 years.
“Mr. Evans and Ms. Smith are integral members of our Finance Team, who have helped see us through some challenging circumstances,” said Mayor Kincannon. “They both have exhibited the skill and leadership to help us continue our history of sound financial stewardship. I am excited to announce their new roles with the City.”
Evans and Smith will begin their new roles following the departure of Susan Gennoe on July 15, 2022.