April Furth has been appointed as the new administrator for the city’s Parks & Outdoors Department by Mayor Tim Kelly. She will begin her role June 13.
Furth comes to Chattanooga from Vancouver, Washington, where she most recently served as director of community development for Clark County. Her background includes leadership roles in operational management and customer service in the retail sector.
“April Furth will lead the department under our vision of being a city in a park,” Kelly says. “Our Parks & Outdoors Department is one of the most innovative in the country and is aligned under a new identity as the first and only National Park City in the U.S.”
Furth says she’s excited to join the city’s team and help advance its outdoor initiatives.
“I’m passionate about the importance of parks in all aspects of our lives and honored to have the opportunity to execute the vision of Chattanooga as a National Park City.”
Furth will be tasked with helping to expand and promote Chattanooga’s park system and natural spaces.
Cempa’s Burger wins leadership award
Dr. Shannon Burger, CEO of Cempa Community Care, has been honored with a Silver Stevie Award in the 23rd Annual American Business Awards. The award, given in the Thought Leadership category, recognizes Burger’s decadelong leadership at Cempa and her advocacy work defending Ryan White 340B programming on both state and national levels.
“Nothing gives me a greater sense of accomplishment than seeing my work positively impact the lives of our patients, clients and the team at Cempa,” Burger says. “Though my name is on [the award], I see it as a collaborative win.”
The American Business Awards received more than 3,600 nominations this year. Winners were selected by over 250 professionals worldwide and will be celebrated at a gala in New York City June 10.
Under Burger’s leadership, Cempa has earned numerous recognitions, including Best Place to Work in Tennessee (2025), the Community Impact Award from the Chattanooga Times Free Press (2019, 2023) and Nonprofit of the Year from the Chattanooga Chamber (2022).
Burger has also received individual honors such as the Impact Award from the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (2024) and the Executive Leadership Award from the Tennessee Primary Care Association (2023).
‘Heart and soul of WUTC’ host Winham retires
After nearly 40 years on the air, longtime WUTC-FM host Richard Winham will retire this summer, marking the end of an era for Chattanooga public radio.
Since joining the station in 1987, Winham has become a beloved voice in the community, known for his deep love of music, support for local artists and mentorship of student DJs. He created the station’s first freeform music show and helped shape WUTC’s programming and identity.
“The art of living is to find your work. Thanks to our listeners, I have,” says Winham. “I will always be more grateful than I could express with words.”
To celebrate his legacy, WUTC will host a public benefit concert Sunday, June 22, from 1–5 p.m. at Barrelhouse Ballroom (1501 Long Street). The event will feature performances by local folk, blues and bluegrass artists. A pre-show meet-and-greet with musicians and station staff will take place from noon to 12:45 p.m.
The lineup will includes The New Quintet, Randy Steele and the High Cold Wind, Wayne White and Username Password, Rick Rushing, Jhett Black, Swayyvo, Alex The Band and members of Strung Like A Horse, Call Me Spinster and others.
Proceeds from the concert will support WUTC’s arts and cultural programming.
“For decades, Richard Winham has been the heart and soul of WUTC,” says station manager Susan Lazenby. “He’s more than a host; he’s a mentor, a guide and a tireless advocate for Chattanooga’s music scene. His legacy will continue to shape our mission.”
Satterfield named Coeo Strategies partner
One year after joining Coeo Strategies, Brooke Satterfield has been named a partner at the strategic communications and consulting firm.
Satterfield, who has worked with clients across corporate, public and nonprofit sectors, says the promotion comes at a critical time for organizations facing complex challenges.
“I’m proud to bring my talents and experience to work that helps organizations rise to this moment and I’m eager to shape what’s next at Coeo.”
Since joining the firm, Satterfield has led crisis preparedness and executive safety planning for local companies, produced major public events for the city of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Police Department and helped organize the first Chattanooga Connect conference for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Research Institute. She also advises nonprofits working in education, housing and health care.
Founded in 2021 by Kerry Hayes, Coeo Strategies focuses on strategic communications and advisory services for cities and their partners in the corporate, nonprofit and philanthropic sectors. Hayes will continue to serve as principal.
Whitwell’s Landry wins DAR Scholarship
Emily Landry, a senior at Whitwell High School, has been named the recipient of the DAR Good Citizens Scholarship Award by the Judge David Campbell Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
The award honors a high school senior who exemplifies dependability, service, leadership and patriotism.
Landry has earned academic awards in physical science, algebra and Spanish and received a certificate of excellence for her participation in the school band. She also placed third in SVEC’s 2025 creative writing competition and scored a 32 on the ACT.
In addition to her academic achievements, Landry volunteers with the Marion Animal Resource Connection and plans to study linguistics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her hobbies include drawing, writing and crocheting.
The DAR is a national women’s service organization with over 185,000 members worldwide, dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism.
Chattanooga advisers earn Forbes honor
Two senior vice presidents and financial advisers from Morgan Stanley’s Chattanooga office – Will Hunt and Bruce Spencer – have earned national recognition by being named to Forbes magazine’s 2025 list of Best-in-State Wealth Advisers.
The annual ranking, developed in partnership with SHOOK Research, honors top-performing wealth advisers across the country who have demonstrated excellence in client service and professional performance. To qualify, advisers must have at least seven years of industry experience and are evaluated on a range of criteria including assets under management, revenue trends, compliance records and industry best practices.
“I’m pleased that [Will and Brice are] representing Morgan Stanley,” says Michael Tomshack, branch manager of the Chattanooga office. “To be named to this list recognizes [their] professionalism and dedication to the needs of [their] clients.”
Both Hunt and Spencer serve a wide array of clients, offering investment advisory, financial planning and retirement services.