Page 5 - Jan-Feb2019

TCAPWA Executive
Committee
tennessee.apwa.net
PRESIDENT: Phillip Jones
Operations Manager, Metro Nashville
phillip.jones@nashville.gov
(615) 533-2377
PRESIDENT ELECT: Justin Holland
Administrator of Public Works, Chattanooga
holland_j@chattanooga.gov
(423) 643-6000
VICE-PRESIDENT: John Fox
Operations Assistant, Collierville
jfox@ci.collierville.tn.us
(901) 457-2800
SECRETARY: John Chlarson
Public Works Consultant, MTAS
john.chlarson@tennessee.edu
(731) 695-2472
TREASURER: Kenny Wiggins
Director, Public Works & Engineering, Alcoa family to care for, I took every hour of work I could get, picking up shifts and working
kwiggins@cityofalcoa-tn.gov
(865) 380-4800
WEST DIRECTOR: Mike Adams
Public Works Director, Bartlett
madams@cityofbartlett.org
(901) 385-5570
MIDDLE DIRECTOR: Cody Osborne
Waste Superintendent, Metro Public Works
cody.osborne@nashville.gov
(615) 862-4070
UPPER EAST DIRECTOR: Nicholas Bradshaw
Fleet Services Deputy Director
nbradshaw@knoxvilletn.gov
(865) 215-6194
LOWER EAST DIRECTOR: Eric Sines
Director of Public Works, Collegedale
esines@collegedaletn.gov
(423) 468-1983
COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS DELEGATE:
Ronnie Hammonds
Streets & Sanitation Manager, Kingsport
ronniehammonds@kingsporttn.gov
(423) 229-9397
PAST PRESIDENT: Ryan McReynolds
Assistant City Manager, Kingsport
mcreynolds@kingsporttn.gov
(423) 229-9470
CHAPTER ADMINISTRATOR: Mark Miller
Public Works Director, Pigeon Forge
mmiller@cityofpigeonforge.com
(865) 429-7312
WEBSITE COMM. CHAIR: Colline Ferrier
Public Relations Coordinator
Chattanooga Department of Public Works
cferrier@chattanooga.gov
(423) 643-6030
TPW PUBLISHER: Klair Kimmey
P.O. Box 52503, Knoxville, TN 37950
klair@tnpublicworks.com
(865) 288-0815; (865) 924-4956
By Phillip Jones, TCAPWA President
Grateful Every Day
My name is Phillip Jones. Many of you have met me
over the years, but for those of you that haven’t, I’m the
new TCAPWA President. I’ve been involved with the
Chapter for many years, and I believe wholeheartedly
in the work we do.
My story isn’t glamorous. It’s a story of humble
beginnings, but one I’m proud to tell. Growing up,
I wasn’t like most kids. I didn’t dream of being an
astronaut, or a doctor, or a superhero. My role models
weren’t on TV or in the movies. I simply wanted to
be like my dad—a man who worked hard to provide
for his community and his family and had the respect
of his peers. My dad worked for Metro Public Works
for 40 years. He began at an early age, starting with an
entry-level position. For 40 years my dad went to work
each day for the City of Nashville, keeping the streets
clean and safe and rising up through the ranks to
become Streets and Roads Superintendent.
When the time came for me to choose a career, I looked to the example set by my dad.
I started out at Metro Public Works as an entry-level maintenance worker. With a young
overtime to make ends meet. The weeks were long, and the work was grueling at times, but
I knew, even back then, that it was important.
Over the many years I’ve worked here, I’ve seen Nashville grow and change. I’ve seen
the city transform into a world-class tourist destination filled with music, great food, and
successful professional sports teams. But these years haven’t been without their challenges.
The one that still stands out in my mind to this day is the flood in May of 2010.
As an employee of a Public Works department, my greatest and most important goal is
to keep people safe during trying times. I vividly remember the weather briefing where
I learned about the possibility of a catastrophic flood. I’ve attended countless weather
briefings throughout my career, but this one stood out to me.
As the river and tributaries crested, I watched our department, working in close
collaboration with other state and local agencies, snap into action. I’ll never forget taking
a helicopter ride to survey the damage and seeing how much work was ahead of us. These
are the kinds of events that test a city, and I’ve truly never witnessed anything like the
way our community came together during those days and weeks. The 2010 flood caused
a lot of damage, a lot of chaos, and a lot of sorrow for many people living in Nashville.
It also strengthened my commitment to my work, and to the work that we do in every
Public Works department in Tennessee and across the entire country. One of my proudest
moments was winning the APWA “Project of the Year” award for the City of Nashville’s
flood response.
When I reflect on my career so far, I can’t help but think about my dad. I can’t help but
think about those 40 years of hard work, those relationships he built, and ultimately those
people he helped each day. His legacy wasn’t built on some singular great accomplishment.
It was built on thousands of small acts of public service—potholes that got filled, sidewalks
that got repaired, trees that got trimmed. That’s the case for so many of us doing this work.
My own children are nearly grown now, and I’ve worked my whole career to make life
comfortable for them. I hope they’re able to look at my example and be proud of the work
I do, whether I’m helping coordinate the response to a hundred-year flood or whether I’m
sending out a crew to replace a guardrail. Most people would be shocked to know I have
a sentimental side, but I’m not ashamed to say I love my job. I have the opportunity to
oversee 340 employees and watch many of their careers develop in the same way mine did.
I’m grateful every day to do what I do, work on a great team in a great city, and serve as the
2019 TCAPWA President.
View online at tnpublicworks.com 5