News

Memphis Tenn. October 18, 2023. With 75 days to go until he is sworn into office, Mayor-elect Paul Young has assembled a transition team that includes among its co-chairs and team members the former president of the University of Memphis, the former Chief People Officer for FedEx, multiple founders of non-profit organizations, private sector business owners, and community advocates. The team includes dozens of members and 25 sub-committee co-chairs representing Young's five pillars and other key focus areas. 

"Diversity is a defining element of this team," Young said when asked about the transition planning. "It was important to pull together the best and brightest people from all neighborhoods and all facets of our community. Our business sector, civic, nonprofit, and community organizations are all represented in this team, and we look forward to adding more.”

The team makeup directly aligns with Young's goals for diversity, with a wide range of neighborhoods, generations, and backgrounds represented. Nearly 85 Memphis advocates have already agreed to represent their individual communities as part of the team, with others anticipated to join within the coming days and weeks. 

Overall Team Stats:

45% Millennial/Gen Y

40% Gen X 

57% Black

36% White

4% Latino/Other Races

People/Appointments Co-Chairs

Emily Greer, CEO, Greer Leadership Solutions. Former Chief Administrative Officer, ALSAC/St. Jude

David Rudd, former President, University of Memphis 

Chris Winton, former Chief People Officer, FedEx

Public Safety Co-Chairs

Jennifer Collins, President, Rhodes College. Former Assistant US Attorney

Sandy Bromley, Deputy Director of Justice Programs, Shelby County Division of Community Services

Toney Armstrong, Director of Security, St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Former MPD Director

K. Durrell Cowan, Director, Heal 901

Economic Development Co-Chairs

Christina McCarter, Owner, Feast & Graze

Ted Townsend, President & CEO, Greater Memphis Chamber

Jozelle Booker, President and CEO, Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum

Strong Neighborhoods Co-Chairs

Archie Willis, President, ComCap Partners

Janet Boscarino, Executive Director, Clean Memphis

Regina Blount Williams, Neighborhood Leader

Supporting Our Youth Co-Chairs

Jonathan Torres, CEO, Memphis Athletic Ministries

Patrice Thomas, Chief of Staff, Memphis Shelby County Schools

Sarah Lockridge Steckel, CEO, The Collective Blueprint

Thriving Arts & Culture Co-Chairs

Cara Greenstein, VP of Public Engagement, Doug Carpenter & Associates

Craig Brewer, Filmmaker

George Monger, CEO, Connect Music

Rachel Knox, Senior Program Officer, Hyde Family Foundation

Transportation & Infrastructure Co-Chairs

Anna McQuiston, Executive Director, Mid-South Development District

Courtney McNeal, Chief of Staff, Innovate Memphis

Stephen Edwards, Senior Engineer, TREKK Design Group

Good Governance Co-Chairs

Cheyenne Johnson, Councilwoman, Memphis City Council

Dorcas Young Griffin, Director, Shelby County Community Services

Marco McClendon, Mayor, City of West Memphis

The transition team has been tasked with community outreach, strategic planning, and potential talent identification to support the Young administration's priorities. Young has also confirmed that he and the People/Appointments co-chairs will meet with all current administration senior staff regarding the transition and his vision for their departments under his administration.  

If you would like to be a part of creating a stronger Memphis and are interested in joining a transition team sub-committee, please email a letter of interest to youngtransitionteam@gmail.com.

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