The city of Chattanooga’s Department of Community Development has announced the upcoming retirement of longtime community center manager Evelyn Snorton, who will retire Dec. 31, closing a 33-year.
Originally from Ohio and raised in Clarksville, Snorton moved to Chattanooga in 1990 and joined the city’s community centers after teaching part-time. What began as a practical job choice quickly became a lifelong commitment to service.
For the past 20 years, Snorton has been a cornerstone of the North Chattanooga Community Center, helping expand youth programs, support families and build partnerships that strengthened local resources.
“The heart of my work has always been the people,” Snorton says. “The conversations in the hallway, the smiles from children learning something new and the families who found comfort, safety and joy inside the walls of the center.”
UTC selects Freeman for new leadership role
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has appointed Jermaine Freeman as its executive director of economic and workforce development, a newly created leadership role designed to strengthen the university’s impact on regional talent development and economic growth.
Freeman, a Chattanooga native and former chief of staff in the Mayor’s Office, spent nine years in senior leadership with the city of Chattanooga, where he worked on major redevelopment projects, talent pipelines, small-business support efforts and industry partnerships.
In his new role, Freeman will serve as UTC’s point of connection with employers, industry partners and regional development organizations. He’ll collaborate with academic leaders to support new degree pathways and credentials, respond to workforce trends and represent the university in statewide economic development efforts.
Freeman is a UTC MBA graduate and alumnus of the Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.
Collegedale taps Holmes as next city manager
The city of Collegedale has selected Jon Holmes as its next city manager after an extensive recruitment and evaluation process. Holmes, who will begin Jan. 5, brings more than 17 years of municipal leadership experience in multiple states, including roles as city manager, county administrator, city administrator and senior budget and policy analyst.
Holmes most recently served seven years as city manager of Aurora, Missouri, where he oversaw all operations for 75 employees and managed a $10 million annual budget. His background includes leading Franklin County, Kansas, as county administrator – with responsibility for a $32 million budget and 250 employees – as well as administrative roles in Odessa, Missouri, David City, Nebraska and Laramie, Wyoming.
Holmes, originally from Laramie, Wyoming, holds a bachelor’s degree from Harding University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nebraska.
Graefe joins Chattanooga housing authority board
Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has appointed Laurel Graefe to the Chattanooga Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Graefe is a former regional executive and senior officer at the Nashville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, where she spent more than 20 years across its Nashville and Atlanta offices. In her most recent role, she oversaw the branch’s board of directors, led economic research activities, managed financial and economic education initiatives and advised on monetary policy. She currently works as an independent strategic adviser.
Graefe holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Agnes Scott College and an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management. She has been recognized as one of the school’s World Shapers and participates in Harvard Business School’s 2024 YALP cohort, Leadership Tennessee and other board service.
Red Bank selects Hoss as temporary judge
The city of Red Bank has appointed attorney Bryan Hoss to serve as municipal judge during the medical leave of longtime City Judge Johnny Houston, who’s served since 2000 and is currently unable to perform his duties.
After weeks of rotating area judges and city staff to maintain court operations, the City Council approved an ordinance Tuesday allowing temporary 30-day judicial appointments, signaling that multiple successive appointments will likely be made during Houston’s absence.
City Attorney Arnold Stulce said state requirements mandate that the appointee be a Red Bank resident and noted Hoss’ strong reputation in criminal, city, county and state courts. Stulce added that Hoss’ willingness to step in reflects his commitment to public service.
Hoss, a McCallie School graduate who earned his law degree from the University of Memphis, is a longtime resident with deep ties to the community. A respected attorney with more than 20 years of experience in criminal defense, civil litigation and appellate advocacy, Hoss has worked on high-profile cases across state, federal and appellate courts.
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel adds Pitts, Smith
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has welcomed attorneys McKinley Pitts and Aleksei Smith, who will support the firm’s labor and employment, litigation and real estate practice areas.
Pitts advises employers on compliance with federal employment laws and provides guidance on hiring and termination practices, accommodations, leave management and wage-and-hour matters. Her background spans multiple industries including automotive, education, health care, manufacturing and government. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law and is licensed to practice in Tennessee.
Smith focuses on commercial real estate, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing and financing transactions, as well as title review, due diligence and coordination of complex projects. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, she’s licensed in Tennessee and Georgia.
Epperson, Smith join Cempa board of directors
Cempa Community Care has announced the appointment of Dr. Brooke Epperson and the return of Dr. Reginald F. Smith II to its board of directors, adding two leaders with experience in health care, education and community advocacy.
Epperson serves as associate director and assistant professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga School of Nursing and brings nearly two decades of clinical experience in critical care, emergency nursing, and labor and delivery, along with a decade of service as a nurse educator.
She also leads a federally funded HRSA grant preparing future nurses to serve diverse communities and currently serves as president of the Tennessee Nurses Association District 4.
Smith, president and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, returns to the board after leading nonprofits focused on youth development, family empowerment and community advancement. A 20 Under 40 honoree and Leadership Chattanooga graduate, he holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and teaches in UTC’s College of Public Service and Political Science.
Hamidian joins CHI Memorial
CHI Memorial Medical Group has welcomed Dr. Masoud Hamidian to CHI Memorial Orthopedics – Ringgold. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience, Hamidian specializes in surgical and nonsurgical treatments for conditions affecting bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles.
Hamidian earned his medical degree from the University of Tennessee and completed residency training at the University of Tennessee’s Campbell Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. He’s a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and a diplomate of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
Hamidian offers expertise in treating concerns of the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, foot, ankle, hip and knee and is accepting new patients at 4700 Battlefield Parkway. Clinic hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Call 706 841-1342 to schedule an appointment.
Erlanger Urology adds experienced specialist
Erlanger Urology has welcomed Dr. Rahul Dutta to its provider team, bringing specialized expertise in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery to Chattanooga.
Dutta earned his medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed a Urologic residency at Wake Forest Baptist Health. He later completed a Leadership and Innovation Fellowship at the University of California, specializing in urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery.
In addition to his clinical work, Dutta remains active in research and has written more than 40 peer–reviewed publications and multiple book chapters.
His services at Erlanger will support patients experiencing urinary problems, pelvic organ prolapse, incontinence, neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury and urologic cancers. He also performs procedures including prosthetics, urinary tract endoscopies, vaginal surgery and robotic surgery.
Dutta is accepting patients at Erlanger Baroness Campus, Erlanger East Hospital and Two Northgate Park.