CTAS STAFF
Jon Walden, executive director, has been with UT CTAS since October 1993 as administrator of information technology. He was named executive director on December 1, 2021. Jon served as interim executive director from May 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Prior to serving as Interim executive director, Jon served as manager of information technology & environmental services from October 2002 until May 1, 2020. Before joining UT CTAS, he was a programmer analyst with Columbia State Community College. Jon holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Tennessee State University and a master of arts in leadership and public service from Lipscomb University.
Jon Walden
Executive Director, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
jon.walden@tennessee.edu
Liz Gossett, E-Media and Information Specialist, joined CTAS in September 2012. Prior to joining CTAS, Liz was a research associate for the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Long Range Planning Division. She is originally from the Atlanta area and received a bachelor of science in 2007 in urban policy studies and a bachelor of arts in sociology in 2005, both from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Liz received her Master of Science in Information Science from The University of Tennessee in May 2015. Brandon Marks, training consultant, started with CTAS in March 2022. Prior to joining CTAS, Brandon worked as a legislative auditor with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury for nine years. He holds a bachelor of science in business administration with a major in accounting from the University of North Alabama. Brandon earned a master’s degree in business administration from Tennessee Technological University in 2012. 
Stephen Austin
Legal Consultant, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Capitol Boulevard, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
Nikki Ballentine
Mgr. of Training and Technology Services, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
nikki.ballentine@tennessee.edu
Kristy Godsey Brown
Manager of Legal Services, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Capitol Boulevard, Ste. 400, Nashville, TN 37219-1804
Wes Doyle
Communications Specialist, CTAS
(615) 532-3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
wesley.doyle@tennessee.edu
Heather Duncan
County Government Consultant, CTAS
(931) 273-1080 | 228 Carroll Hollow Road, Normandy, TN 37360
heather.duncan@tennessee.edu
Rachel Ellington
Training Consultant, CTAS
| 109 Jackson County Extension Office Space 757 Grundy Quarles Hwy S. - Suite D, Gainsboro, TN 38562
rachel.ellington@tennessee.edu
Mike Galey
County Government Consultant, CTAS
731.881.7056 | 475 Clement Hall, Martin, TN 38238
mgaley1@tennessee.edu
Liz Gossett
E-Media & Information Specialist, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Boulevard, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
liz.gossett@tennessee.edu
Joe Griffin
Property Assessment Consultant, CTAS
615.532-3555 | 226 Capital Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
joe.griffin@tennessee.edu
Rick Hall
County Government Consultant, CTAS
423.282.4141 | 2112 North Roan St., Johnson City, TN 37601
rick.hall@tennessee.edu
Jim Hart
Interim Mgr. of Field Services & Jail Management Consultant, CTAS
423.413.7902 | Political Science & Public Service, Dept. 6356, Pfeiffer 302, Chattanooga, TN 37403
jim.hart@tennessee.edu
Kim Henry
Training Coordinator, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
kim.clark@tennessee.edu
Melisa Kelton
County Government Consultant, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd.., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
melisa.kelton@tennessee.edu
Jacob Kennedy
Database Consultant, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
jacob.kennedy@tennessee.edu
DeAnna Ledbetter
Administrative Support Assistant, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
deanna.ledbetter@tennessee.edu
Gabe Looney
Property Assessment Consultant, CTAS
865.271.7803 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
gabe.looney@tennessee.edu
Brandon Marks
Certified County Finance Officer Training Specialist, CTAS
(615) 532-3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
brandon.marks@tennessee.edu
Kelley McNeal
Training Consultant, CTAS
931.525.3535 | 25 West Broad St., Suite 6, Cookeville, TN 38501
kelley.mcneal@tennessee.edu
Jeff Metzger
Legal Consultant, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
Chris Payne
Training Consultant, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
chris.payne@tennessee.edu
Pamela Peters
Accounting Specialist, CTAS
615.532.3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
pam.peters@tennessee.edu
Kim Raia
Environmental GIS Consultant, CTAS
865.974.6434 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
kim.raia@tennessee.edu
Wesley Robertson
County Government Consultant, CTAS
931-797-6474 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
wesley.robertson@tennessee.edu
Ben Rodgers
County Government Consultant, CTAS
931.525.3535 | 25 West Broad, Suite 9, Cookeville, TN 38501
ben.rodgers@tennessee.edu
Kelsey Schweitzer
County Government Consultant, CTAS
731.425.4775 | 605 Airways Blvd, Suite 109, Jackson, TN 38301
kelsey.schweitzer@tennessee.edu
Clint Shrum
Criminal Justice Consultant
(931) 273-4736 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
clint.shrum@tennessee.edu
Laylah Smith
Legal Consultant, CTAS
| 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
John Sutton
CCFO Program Manager, CTAS
865.963.5633 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
john.sutton@tennessee.edu
Kaley Walker
County Government Consultant, CTAS
865.974.1846 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
kaley.walker@tennessee.edu
Kerry Watkins
Finance Consultant, CTAS
615-532-3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd.., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
kerry.watkins@tennessee.edu
Karisma Williams
CCFO Program Coordinator, CTAS
615.532-3555 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
karisma.williams@tennessee.edu
Derrick Woods
Criminal Justice Consultant, CTAS
(423) 248-9989 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37219
derrick.woods@tennessee.edu
