Meet the Team
The First Tennessee Development District exists to serve the region and its member governments and to ensure that local, state and federal governments within Northeast Tennessee remain strong and efficient partners. The strength and economic growth of each of the eight counties that comprise the District shape each program and project that we undertake. From the Area Agency on Aging & Disability to Workforce Initiatives, District staff are subject matter experts and work to serve the region's communities.
Each of the program areas that comprise the First Tennessee Development District is administered by a director who works with their respective staff to ensure that the region’s county and city mayors have the tools they need.
Leadership Team
Chris Craig
Executive Director
423-722-5091
Nicole Banks
Director of Finance & Human Resources
423-722-5129
Bill Forrester
Director of Community Planning, Housing, & Development
423-722-5099
Ken Rea
Deputy Director, Economic & Community Development
423-722-5098
Lottie Ryans
Director of Workforce & Literacy Initiatives
423-722-5101
Mark Stevans
Director of Special Projects
423-722-5092
Kathy Whitaker
Director of the Area Agency on Aging & Disability
423-722-5102
Melissa White
Administrative Services Manager
423-722-5212
Economic & Community Development
Varina Hopper
Economic Recovery Coordinator
423-268-2678
Lisa Jones
Financial Coordinator
423-722-5097
Lance Lowery
Community Development Project Coordinator
423-722-5090
Gray Stothart
Community Development Coordinator &
Historic Preservation Planner
423-722-5096
Community Planning, Housing, & Development
Asher Cain
Community Planner
423-722-5117
René Mann
Housing Programs Coordinator
423-722-5122
Chase Milner
Rural Planning Organization Coordinator
423-722-5217
Amber Orlikowski
Community Planner
423-979-2588
Workforce & Literacy Initiatives
Kristina Peters
Workforce Coordinator
423-979-2581
Deanna Wood
Workforce Assistant
423-979-2589
Area Agency on Aging & Disability
Tracy Buckles
Health Promotions Specialist
423-722-5109
Julia Church
Intake Coordinator
423-722-5094
Dale Condon
IT Manager & HIPAA Compliance Coordinator
423-722-5110
Melody Conkin
SHIP Coordinator, I&A Specialist
423-722-5205
Stephanie Cox
Intake Coordinator
423-722-5123
Karrie Erick
Public Conservator Assistant
423-722-5105
Lee Gay
Volunteer Transportation Coordinator
423-722-5100
Chris Gortney
IT Assistant
423-722-5206
Genie Guinn
Program Manager
423-722-5111
Karen Gilreath
Intake & Screening Assistant
423-722-5127
Angie Gwaltney, RN
Home Care Manager
423-722-5113
Amber Harvey
OPTIONS Counselor
423-722-5112
Maggie Holmes
Public Conservator Support Assistant
423-979-2595
Lorrie Jarnagin
Information & Assistance Coordinator
423-722-5106
Michelle Jenkins
Pre-Enrollment Assistant
423-722-5118
Harley Jeter
CREVAA Assistant
423-979-2593
Ashley Johnson
Information & Referral Assistant
423-722-5203
Diane Lynch
Pre-Enrollment Assistant
423-722-5207
Wanda Martin
District Public Conservator
423-722-5104
Kathleen McLaughlin
SNAP Outreach Coordinator
423-722-5093
Deborah Morrell
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
423-979-2599
Jayne Morrell
Fiscal Manager
423-722-5089
LeAnn Pearce, RN
Nurse Coordinator
423-722-5114
Carolyn Phillips
CREVAA Advocate
423-722-5211
Kevin Rincon
Information & Referral Assistant
423-722-5116
JoAnn Spears, RN
Intake Coordinator
423-722-5108
Libby Sproles
Fiscal Specialist
423-722-5103
Teresa Sutphin
Program Specialist
423-722-5120
Leslie Thompson
SHIP Volunteer Coordinator
423-722-5107
Julie Webster
Intake Coordinator
423-722-5128
Administrative Services
Misty Bradley
Program Assistant
423-722-5094
Vicki Casteel
Administrative Assistant
423-928-0224
Richard Lacey
Maintenance
423-928-0224
Rick Lowe
IT Manager
423-722-5213
Finance
Tina Campbell
Accountant & Human Resources Assistant
423-722-5219
David Streng
Accounting Assistant
423-928-0224