Deputy Director Dawn Michelle Foster will be promoted to Director of the city's Office of Redevelopment, replacing current director Bob Whetsel who is retiring. More in the press release after the break.

MAYOR ROGERO ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN OFFICE OF REDEVELOPMENT

With the impending retirement of Office of Redevelopment Director Bob Whetsel, Mayor Madeline Rogero announced today two promotions to fill the top jobs in the department.

Effective Aug. 31, Dawn Michelle Foster, Deputy Director of Redevelopment, will be promoted to Director, reporting to Deputy to the Mayor and Chief Policy Officer Bill Lyons. Anne Wallace, the department’s Project Manager, will become Deputy Director.

"We are fortunate to have two such skilled and experienced professionals to move up into these positions," Mayor Rogero said. "Dawn Michelle and Anne bring a wealth of knowledge, and they are already deeply engaged with the community. These well-deserved promotions will ensure continuity in our many ongoing projects."

Foster, who has a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Tennessee, joined the City in 2012. Prior to that, she worked for 22 years as a senior transportation planner and construction project manager for Wilbur Smith Associates (now CDM Smith), the international transportation and infrastructure engineering firm. As Deputy Director of Redevelopment, she has had primary responsibility for the South Waterfront and Magnolia Avenue corridor.

Wallace has a master's degree in landscape architecture from Auburn University and is an AICP certified planner. She worked as a planner for the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission before coming to the City in 2008. As Project Manager, she has overseen the Cumberland Avenue Corridor and Downtown Wayfinding projects, as well as redevelopment efforts in the Downtown North area and brownfield assessments at former industrial properties across the city.

In addition, the Office of Redevelopment will be filling two Project Manager positions: one to replace Wallace, and one that was approved in the current year’s budget to handle the volume of projects under way and anticipated in the near future.

Because of the variety of development opportunities on the horizon, Mayor Rogero also announced that an internal Development Team has been formed to assist parties interested in investing in projects within the City. The Development Team will consist of both Deputy Mayors – Lyons and Chief Operating Officer Christi Branscom – along with Foster, Wallace and other key staff members as required.

City redevelopment efforts are also coordinated with broader economic development strategies. Mayor Rogero and City staff meet every two weeks with an economic development committee including the Knoxville Chamber, Innovation Valley, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation and the Development Corporation of Knox County.