Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett have appointed a six-member search committee for the next Executive Director of the Knoxville-Knox County Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC). The search committee includes representatives of both mayors, MPC planning commissioners, and community representatives. The committee will make a recommendation to the Mayors, who will have final approval.

MPC was established in 1956 by Knoxville and Knox County as the agency responsible for City and County planning and administration of zoning and land subdivision regulations and remains so today, except for the town of Farragut.

“MPC plays a vital role in helping the City plan for continued economic and community development while protecting a high quality of life in our neighborhoods,” Mayor Rogero said. “The next MPC Executive Director should provide strong, collaborative leadership for all of those efforts.”

“The formation of this committee is an important step, because MPC impacts every taxpayer and business in Knox County in a significant way,” Mayor Burchett said. “I look forward to seeing this search committee begin its work and to seeing a pool of candidates whose strengths include communicating effectively with diverse constituencies both within the City of Knoxville and Knox County.”

Members of the search committee are: Co-chairs Dean Rice, Chief of Staff to Mayor Burchett, and Bill Lyons, Deputy to Mayor Rogero/Chief Policy Officer; MPC Vice Chair Bart Carey; MPC Commissioner Herb Anders; former County Commissioner Wanda Moody; and Stephanie Welch, Vice President of Operations for Community Schools at the Great Schools Partnership.

The committee will draft a job description and post the position, with the aim of making a selection early next year. Current MPC Executive Director Mark Donaldson is retiring at the end of the year.