Weekly Update

Friends,

 

Yesterday, on what started as a beautiful, fall afternoon our neighbors just down the street experienced one of the most horrific days in Collierville history. In yet another act of senseless violence, a gunman entered a grocery store and began shooting innocent victims. This event serves as another reminder that tragedy can strike at any time in any community.  Be vigilant, and hold your family and friends a little tighter this weekend.

 

Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Collierville who are dealing with the pain of this tragic event. I want to thank all police and fire departments, including our own, who answered the call to assist, and we pray for the victims and their families during this difficult time.

 

Changes: As most of us can agree, there is one constant in all our lives—change. To that end, I wanted to inform you of a few key personnel changes that will be happening soon at City Hall.

 

The first is Tiffany Collins as our new director of strategic initiatives. Over the last several months, Tiffany has played a major role in the coordination and execution of our vaccine distribution efforts. Additionally, and more recently, Ms. Collins has coordinated the planning and allocation of our portion of the federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. In this new role, Tiffany will also be responsible for coordinating the City’s broadband infrastructure initiatives, as well as, the Group Violence Intervention Program.

 

The second change is Joy Touliatos as our new deputy director of public works. After 43 years of public service, the previous deputy director (Carolyn Benson) retired this past July leaving the position vacant. Joy has served in our permits department, ran the Memphis Public Service Corps, and most recently, coordinated the Group Violence Intervention Program. In this new role, Joy will help the division with its many responsibilities, such as, the operation and maintenance of the City’s infrastructure which includes streets, sanitary sewers, storm drains, bridges and flood control. Additionally, Public Works fills potholes, services your sewers and enforces code violations.

 

Congrats to both Tiffany and Joy on their new roles. I look forward to working together with them to solve some of our city’s most challenging issues.

 

Lastly, Joann Massey has served as the director of the Office of Business Diversity and Compliance (OBDC) since 2016. She’s always had a passion for helping entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and recently decided to pursue opportunities with her consulting firm Lewis Massey Associates. Today was Joann’s last day with us, and I would like to thank her for her service.  

 

During her tenure, she successfully led our OBDC efforts to success by increasing our MWBE spend from 12 percent to almost 24 percent and has helped change the narrative on this important issue locally and nationally. We are confident the OBDC team will seamlessly carry on the nationally recognized work of increasing our relationships with minority and women-owned businesses. 

 

As Joann moves into the next chapter of her life, we wish her all the best.

 

The weekend: The first weekend of fall is slated to be gorgeous. If you’re looking for some fun things to do and get out of the house, the I Love Memphis blog has a whole host of things to choose from. Check it out if you get a second.

 

Enjoy the weekend!

Yours,