The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga has appointed Tim Gritten to serve as the dean of its library. Gritten spent the last six years as executive director of the library and special collections at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. The appointment is effective July 1.
Gritten joined Texas A&M as executive director of the library and special collections in 2018 after spending two years at Wayne State University in Detroit as associate dean of university libraries.
His work experience began during his undergraduate days at the University of Illinois and has included stints at the Urbana (Illinois) Free Library, the Athens (Ohio) Public Library, the University of Notre Dame Law School’s Kresge Library, the Cunningham Memorial Library at Indiana State University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Gritten was a Chancellor’s Scholar in the University of Illinois’ Honors Program. He graduated in 1992 with bachelor’s degrees in anthropology, classics and history. He earned a Master of Library Science from Indiana University in 2003.
Gritten will succeed Theresa Liedtka, who is transitioning out of her position as dean of the UTC Library to move into a new position in Academic Affairs.
Optimist Club honors HCSO deputy chief
The Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club has named Mark King, the deputy chief of law enforcement at the office of the Hamilton County sheriff, as the 2024 recipient of the Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award.
King is a 38-year veteran of the HCSO. The Optimist Club recognized him for his decades of service to the HCSO and the local community ahead of his retirement May 28.
The Respect for Law Officer of the Year Award is rooted in the Respect for Law community program, which former FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and International Optimist Club Past International President Carl Bowen started in 1965.
The local Optimist Club adopted the program to recognize the positive attributes of local law enforcement personnel who serve and protect the citizens of Chattanooga and Hamilton County.
“Deputy Chief Mark King is known throughout our county and state for being a true law enforcement professional,” says Sheriff Austin Garrett. “I’ve had the privilege to witness his commitment and service to the citizens of Hamilton County and his devotion to the law enforcement profession. His retirement will leave a significant void in our ranks.”
“We are deeply indebted to those who choose a career of service in law enforcement,” adds William Burton, president of the Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club. “These men and women serve as the front line of protection for all of us, and we’re proud to honor them.”
Gary Behler, Hamilton County juvenile court clerk and chairman of the Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club Respect for Law Program, says, “Our brave men and women of law enforcement face a challenging and dangerous job. Every citizen of our community owes them a tremendous debt of gratitude for the service they provide each day.”
Satterfield joins Coeo Public Affairs
Brooke Satterfield has joined Coeo Public Affairs as a senior strategist. A member of the Chattanooga mayor’s office since 2017, Satterfield was most recently the chief policy officer under Mayor Tim Kelly. She is a native of Dalton, Georgia and a two-time UTC alumna.
Coeo is a consultancy firm that provides in communications and strategic guidance for community leaders and civic partners throughout the U.S.
In her new role, Satterfield will offer advisory services on executive transitions, recruitment, budgeting and procurement, develop strategies to manage crises involving public safety agencies, enhance interactions with community and industry stakeholders, and orchestrate events that build brand awareness and raise funds.