Municipal Government

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Frances Adams-OBrien' : Information Resources Manager, MTAS

Frances Adams-OBrien'

Information Resources Manager, MTAS

865.974.9842 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
frances.adams-obrien@tennessee.edu

I am always looking to connect people with the information and assistance they need.

Whether it is people inside MTAS or Tennessee city staff or elected officials, I am here to assist through research, reference, and knowledge management.  

_________________________

Master of Science in Information and Library Science, 1989, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Bachelor of Arts, Sociology and Psychology, 1986, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa, NC

Peter Auger : Management Consultant, MTAS

Peter Auger

Management Consultant, MTAS

1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
peter.auger@tennessee.edu
Steven Cross : Fire Management Consultant, MTAS

Steven Cross

Fire Management Consultant, MTAS

615.532.7108 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
steven.cross@tennessee.edu

Steven Cross is a Fire Management Consultant with the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS).  After serving more than 30-years in local and state government, he joined MTAS on July 9, 2017.  His duties include providing technical assistance and consulting services for municipal, county, and state governemnt leaders in areas of leadership and fire rescue department and emergency services management as well as serving as a resource for state-wide professional associations.

Steven joined the fire service as a municipal firefighter in 1986.  He served for over 27 years with the Columbia Fire Department, the last 17 years as Columbia’s Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Chief. Prior to joining the University of Tennessee, Steven served in the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office's Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education Commission. 

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration from Waldorf University in Forrest City, Iowa
  • Associate of Science in Fire Science Administration from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama
  • Technical Certificate in Fire Science from Volunteer State Community College in Gallating, Tennessee
  • Emergency Medical Responder from the State of Tennessee
  • Fire Officer Level IV IFSAC / ProBoard from Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

  • Chief Fire Officer designation (CFO), Commission on Fire Accreditation International
  • Internationsl Association of Fire Chiefs
  • Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association
  • Tennessee All Hazards Incident Management Team
  • Public Entity Risk Management, Insurance Institute of America
 

 

Dana Deem : Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

Dana Deem

Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

731.881-7567 | 474 Clement Hall, 210 Hurt St., Martin, TN 38238
dana.deem@tennessee.edu

I grew up in the Washington DC. area.  After high school I enlisted in the Air Force and served 21 years, living overseas in the Philippines and Germany.  After the Air Force I went to work for the City of McKenzie, Tennessee as their City recorder and Finance Director.  Before joining the IPS staff in 2010, I served the City of Clifton, Tennessee as their City Manager.

Desiree Eldridge : Library Associate

Desiree Eldridge

Library Associate

(865) 974-0411 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
desiree.eldridge@tennessee.edu
John Grubbs : Hr Consultant, MTAS

John Grubbs

Hr Consultant, MTAS

615.532.6827 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
john.grubbs@tennessee.edu

John is the Human Resource Management Consultant for cities and towns in the Middle TN grand division.  He holds a bachelor’s in management from Trevecca Nazarene University and a master’s in human resource management from the University of Connecticut, as well as senior level certifications from IPMA-HR, SHRM and HRCI. 

John has over 30 years of experience in management and human resources, with over a decade in local government in Tennessee.  He has also worked in the transportation, automotive manufacturing, defense manufacturing, and consulting industries.  Prior to joining MTAS, John served as the Human Resources Director for Portland, TN and White House, TN.

 

Brad Harris : Finance and Accounting Consultant, MTAS

Brad Harris

Finance and Accounting Consultant, MTAS

423.775.3577 | 3389 New Union Road, Dayton, TN 37321
brad.harris@tennessee.edu

Brad came to MTAS in 2012 after 5 years as the Finance Director for the City of Athens, TN. Before that he served as the Finance Director for Rhea County, TN.  Previously he worked for CPA firms in the Chattanooga and Tullahoma areas.  He has been a CPA since 2000.  He is married to the stunningly gorgeous Beth Harris and has two incredible daughters. Hannah is 24 and lives in Pulaski, TN where she operates a video and photography business (yes, she would be happy to do your work). Katie is 12 and attends CHattanooga Christian School currently in the 6th grade.  She was recently chosen by the UT College of Agriculture to star in a statewide video promoting 4-H camps. You can view the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5CDzrG2lKs&sns=em

Brad's passion is making a difference in the lives of other people - this is why he came to MTAS. In his spare time, he enjoys singing, and in August of 2014 will be inducted into the Tristate Gospel Music Hall of Fame.  He spent several years touring the country singing gospel and some country music, and has performed on the Grand Old Opry and sang with artist such as Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, McBride and the Ride and a host of 'Gaither Homecoming' gospel singers. He is now completing a new CD (orders being taken!) and has previously been a part of several other recordings.  He can be found on youtube singing with groups, but hell will freeze over before he tells you where to find these less-than-stellar performances (a cell phone 100 ft. from the stage recording a singer... PULEEEZE!) He enjoys golf as well, but realizes that playing 5 times per year is detrimental to breaking '90'. 

Brad is an accomplished cook, once having co-owned a reestaurant with his sister (probably the most fun I have ever had in a job... before MTAS, of course!).  He enjoys his 'Big Green Egg' and you are welcome to come over for a meal at any time.

Brad also works as a minister of music at the Wolf Creek Baptist Church in Spring City, TN. He has served in that capacity since 2001, and previously served in that role for three other churches. He sings tenor (like a full grown woman someone once said!) and enjoys singing with his wife Beth who is an incredible singer as well. 

Gary Jaeckel : Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

Gary Jaeckel

Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

615.253.4814 | 226 Capitol Blvd Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
gary.jaeckel@tennessee.edu

Gary is a Management Consultant based out of the Nashville office.  He works with 44 cities, mostly in upper Middle Tennessee including cities in Stewart, Houston, Montgomery, Dickson, Cheatham, Robertson, Sumner, Wilson, Trousdale, Macon and Smith Counties, along with the City of Columbia.  Gary came to work for MTAS in September, 1999 and has lived in Hendersonville more than 14 years.  Prior to coming to MTAS Gary worked in Illinois cities for nearly 14 years, moving from the Chicago suburbs of Elmhurst to Streamwood as an Assistant to City Managers; to Forsyth and Dwight where he was the Village Administrator.  Prior to entering the City Management profession Gary spent four years in the private sector.

Gary has both his Bachelors in Political Science and Masters in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University.  Until retiring recently Gary spent many hours and years as a youth and High School Wrestling coach.  Being a youth coach allowed Gary to develop a skill set for coaching and facilitating meetings with elected officials.      

David Moore : Police Management Consultant, MTAS

David Moore

Police Management Consultant, MTAS

731-881-7057 | 474 Clement Hall, 210 Hurt St., Martin, TN 38238
david.moore@tennessee.edu

David Moore serves as a Police Management Consultant with the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Assistance Service (MTAS), an agency within UT’s Institute for Public Service.  In this role, David provides assistance to municipalities across the State of Tennessee on all issues involving policing.  He has served with UT MTAS since 2019.

Prior to joining UT MTAS, David spent a career with the City of Martin Tennessee Police Department beginning as a dispatcher in 1989 while attending the University of Tennessee Martin and ultimately retiring as the City of Martin’s Chief of Police in 2015.

In 2015, David transition from a consulting role with Savant Learning Systems to the full time role as Vice President of the Law Enforcement Training Division known as Virtual Academy.  In this role, David was responsible for product design and implementation, marketing and sales, and identifying subject matter experts and development of training to meet the needs of law enforcement across the nation. 

In 2017, David joined the faculty at UT Martin as a lecturer of Criminal Justice in the Department of Behavioral Sciences.  He served in this role until beginning his current role with UT MTAS in January of 2019.

David holds a Bachelor Degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin, a Master of Science Degree from Bethel University, and is a graduate of the 195th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia.  David served on the Executive Board of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) for a decade and is a Past President of the TACP.

David lives in Martin with his wife Lisa.  David has two children, two son’s-in-law, and two grandchildren all living in Martin.

Kelley Myers : Municipal Codes Coordinator, MTAS

Kelley Myers

Municipal Codes Coordinator, MTAS

865.974.0425 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
kelley.myers@tennessee.edu

Kelley joined MTAS (Knoxville) on November 4, 2013, as the Codes Coordinator.  Prior to this, she worked as a paralegal in a private litigation law firm, focusing primarily in the areas of insurance defense and plaintiff personal injury/medical malpractice.  She obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from UTK in 1990.  To compliment this, she obtained her paralegal certification in 2005, as well as her advanced certification in 2006.  She is very active in, and past president of, the Smoky Mountain Paralegal Association, and co-instructs the certified paralegal exam prep course through SMPA.

Margaret Norris : Executive Director, MTAS

Margaret Norris

Executive Director, MTAS

865.974.9063 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
margaret.norris@tennessee.edu

Margaret Norris is the Executive Director for the Municipal Technical Advisory Service, housed in the Institute for Public Service at the University of Tennessee.  She has been with MTAS since 2001. She served as a municipal management consultant for 16 years before becoming the executive director in 2017.

Prior to joining MTAS, Margaret once worked for the agency as a graduate intern.  Her other experience includes work in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; South Pittsburg Tennessee; and Lumberton, North Carolina.  Titles she has held include records manager, post graduate intern, finance director and city manager.

Margaret graduated Magna Cum Laude from UTK with dual degrees in Psychology and Spanish and she earned a master of public administration from UTC.  She served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee City Management Association from 2004-2008.  She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Tennessee City Management Association, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the International City/County Management Association. 

 

Stephanie Allen OHara : Legal Consultant, MTAS

Stephanie Allen OHara

Legal Consultant, MTAS

865.974.0411 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921-6741

Stephanie Allen OHara joined MTAS staff in the Knoxville office as a legal consultant on January 1, 2010. Stephanie graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a bachelor’s in business administration. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, she interned with the U.S. Congress and Philip Morris USA. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence and Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. While in law school, Stephanie interned with Oak Ridge National Labs; Former Judge James Beckner, Third Judicial District Criminal Court; Chancellor Telford Forgety, Jr., Fourth Judicial District; Judge Benjamin Strand, Jefferson County General Sessions; as well as several law firms. Prior to joining MTAS as a legal consultant, Stephanie served as a judicial clerk to Justice Sharon Lee on the Tennessee Supreme Court and Tennessee Court of Appeals. 

Abb Olgesby : Training Program Manager, MTAS

Abb Olgesby

Training Program Manager, MTAS

865.974.4111 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
abner.oglesby@tennessee.edu
Sean Pfalzer : Management Fellow

Sean Pfalzer

Management Fellow

226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
sean.pfalzer@tennessee.edu
Honna Rogers : Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

Honna Rogers

Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

423.425-4239 | Political Science and Public Service, Dept. 6256, Pfeiffer 302, Chattanooga, TN 37403
honna.rogers@tennessee.edu

Honna Rogers grew up in Northeast Georgia.  She graduated from Piedmont College in Demorest, GA with a Bachelors of History degree and from the University of Tennessee with a Masters in Public Administration.  She previously worked for the City of Sevierville and as a Post Graduate Management Fellow with UT-MTAS.  While at MTAS she worked with the cities of Cleveland, Athens, East Ridge, and Signal Mountain and the SE TN Development District and the Athens Utility Board.  Honna spent five years as the Town Manager of Signal Mountain, TN before returning to UT-MTAS.  Honna and her husband, Joshua, reside in Signal Mountain with their two children.

Karen Seay : Codes Administrative Specialist, MTAS

Karen Seay

Codes Administrative Specialist, MTAS

(865) 974-0411 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
karen.seay@tennessee.edu
Kay Stegall : Finance and Accounting Consultant, MTAS

Kay Stegall

Finance and Accounting Consultant, MTAS

731.881.7058 | 476 Clement Hall, UT Martin, Martin, TN 38238
kay.stegall@tennessee.edu

Kay graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. She has been licensed as a certified public accountant since 1993 and a certified government financial manager since 1996.  Kay earned her Master of Business Administration in 2010 from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Kay has over 30 years of experience in the government accounting, auditing, and financial reporting industry.  She has worked at the Comptroller’s Office of State Audit, Metro Nashville/Davidson Co. Internal Audit, Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC public accounting firm and currently is consulting municipal finance officials for MTAS.

Kay has been married to Richard for over 30 years and they have two daughters, Rachel and Alyssa.  Rachel graduated from UT Martin’s vet tech program with a Bachelor of Science degree and is a Licensed Veterinary Technologist.  Alyssa graduated from UT Martin with a degree in health and human performance.  Alyssa is pursuing a career as a physical therapy assistant.

Jeff Stiles : Police Consultant, MTAS

Jeff Stiles

Police Consultant, MTAS

1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921
jeff.stiles@tennessee.edu

Jeff Stiles joined MTAS in 2024. He previously served as the Leadership Programs Manager of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership (NCEL). Jeff served the citizens of Knoxville as an officer with the Knoxville Police Department for 28 years, retiring as a Captain. During his career, he served as a patrol officer, patrol sergeant, patrol lieutenant, police academy instructor, supervisor of the Field Training Program, Organized Crime Unit supervisor, Training Director, and Commander of Tennessee’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. He also served as a member of the Department’s Special Operations Squad (SWAT) for 20 years. Jeff is a graduate of the University of Tennessee. He is also a graduate of the Southeastern Command and Leadership Academy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy (Class 256). He completed his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in 2014. For nearly 25 years, Jeff has facilitated and managed training sessions for local, state, and federal government employees, as well as numerous private companies across the nation. In his free time, he enjoys camping and hiking. He is married to Amy and has three children and three grandchildren.

John Waddell : Legal Consultant

John Waddell

Legal Consultant

(615) 532-6827 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
john.waddell@tennessee.edu
Rick Whitehead : Assistant Director, MTAS

Rick Whitehead

Assistant Director, MTAS

865.974.9853 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
rick.whitehead@tennessee.edu

Rick Whitehead is the assistant director for MTAS and works in the Knoxville office.  Before being appointed to the assistant director position in November 2012, Rick served as a municipal management consultant for MTAS.  As a field consultant, he worked an assigned territory in southwest Tennessee that included all of the cities located in Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Fayette, Humphreys, Perry, Shelby, and Wayne Counties.   Rick has been with MTAS since February of 2004.

Prior to joining MTAS, Rick served as a city manager in Tennessee and as a city attorney and city manager in Alabama. In addition to his experience in municipal government, Rick has professional degrees in public administration and law from Auburn University and the University of Alabama. He is a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar and is currently licensed to practice law in Tennessee.