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Harris transition team expands; meets for first time

Shelby County Mayor-elect Lee Harris said Tuesday’s meeting of his transition team, the first for the group, reflected the diversity of Shelby County, something he touted in his successful campaign to succeed Mayor Mark H. Luttrell Jr.

“We had over three dozen people who represent all walks of life all working together to discuss how we move the needle on some of the toughest challenges of our county – poverty, education, and investment in our neighborhoods,” Harris said in a written statement.

“I’m grateful to the educators, community organizers, laborers and civic leaders who have committed to join me in identifying the best way and the best people to help us move county government forward.”

Tuesday’s meeting was led by Co-Chair Paul Morris, president of Jack Morris Auto Glass and former president of the Downtown Memphis Commission, and Co-Chair Lionel Hollins, former Memphis Grizzlies basketball coach.

Harris was a state senator when he decided to run for county mayor to succeed Luttrell, who was term limited. He claimed a strong win in the Aug. 2 election, defeating County Trustee David Lenoir by a comfortable margin.

The transition meeting was held Downtown at Burch, Porter & Johnson on Court Ave. It included a host of educators, legislators, activists and community organizers who will help Harris fulfill his mission to fight poverty and improve neighborhoods by investing in education, according to a news release.

Danielle Inez, who ran Harris’ mayoral team, is executive director of the transition team.

Derwin Sisnett, a new member of the transition team, said, “I’m looking forward to serving on Mayor-elect Harris’s transition team and I’m hopeful that his vision for Shelby County will bring about positive change at the intersection of education and community development.”

 Shelby County residents who want to pursue mayoral appointments should visit: www.TransitionShelby.com. 

Other new members of the transition team include:

Josh Spickler, executive director, Just City

Kristine Roberts, attorney, Baker Donelson

Hari Surineni, trustee, India Cultural Center & Temple

Jason Wexler, president of Business Operations, Grizzlies

Mike Ritz, former commissioner, Shelby County

Rick Thompson, business manager, IBEW Local 1288 Union

Joe Royer, owner, Outdoors, Inc.

Emily Fulmer, community activist

Dale Lane, division director, Office of Preparedness

Heidi Shafer, commission chairwoman, Shelby County

Michelle McKissack, new commissioner, Shelby County Schools

John Freeman, program analyst

Roquita Coleman, member, MATA Board of Commissioners

Derwin Sisnett, founder, Maslow Development Inc

Inés Negrette, executive director, CasaLuz

Shante Avant, board chairwoman, Shelby County Schools

Cato Johnson, chief of staff, Methodist Lebonheur Healthcare

Stephanie Love, vice chairwoman, Shelby County Schools

Charlie Caswell, outreach pastor, The House Memphis Church

David Weatherspoon, chaplain, LeBonheur Children’s Hospital

Stephanie Reyes, director of development, OutMemphis

Lori Turner-Wilson, CEO, RedRover Sales & Marketing

Previously named members of the Transition Team include:

Mark Billingsley, commissioner, Shelby County

Tosha Downey, director of Advocacy, Memphis Education Fund

Anthony Tate, president, Ashaun, LLC

Cardell Orrin, Memphis city director, Stand for Children

Josh Lipman, philanthropist

Preston Butts Jr., CEO, Mem10 Consulting, LLC

Lori Spicer Robertson, chief communications & engagement officer, United Way of the Mid-South

Teddy Gorman, director of sales & marketing, Gorham/Schaffler, Inc.

Elizabeth Low, attorney, FedEx

Trey Carter, president, Olympic Career Training Institute

Courtney Leon, program officer, Plough Foundation

Janice A Banks, president & CEO, Small Planet Works

Tommy Malone, president, Memphis Firefighter Association

Kemp Conrad, councilman, Memphis City Council

Julia Kavanagh, attorney, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.

Honorary co-chairs include former Mayor A C Wharton Jr., former City Councilwoman TaJuan Stout Mitchell, outgoing Commissioner Walter Bailey, philanthropist Gayle Rose and Congressman Steve Cohen.

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