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.