Page 24 - Mar-Apr24 Vol 41 No 7

STATEWIDE By Lisa Hood Skinner
Branch Directors Unified in ’24 Goals

Statewide, the TCAPWA chapter Lower East Whitfield said he’d like to provide
includes a diverse mix of geography and Branch Director, similar inspiration to his branch
demographics within its cities, counties, Eric Sines: City members. “My ultimate goal for
and towns. of Collegedale the branch is to gain more active
In this article, we’re spotlighting our Public Works membership, while also introducing new
four Branch Directors (two returning Director vendors and/or products available in
directors, and two new ones) who Like Snoderly, Public Works.”
represent distinctly different areas within Eric Sines also “I hope to convey that through
Tennessee, yet are unified in their top has been in TCAPWA, I’ve gained new knowledge
2024 objectives in their regions. Public Works around a dozen years. He and skills from its extensive network.
Their top aspirations for this year This allows me to better serve the
include increasing membership numbers previously has been a Branch Director, citizens of the City of Memphis, and I
and providing meaningful chapter returning now after some “time off.” believe it could help others in the same
programs and experiences. Here’s a “I learned about TCAPWA from the way,” he said.
closer look at these leaders who’ll be Public Works Director at Collegedale Middle Branch
guiding their branches as they help who hired me. He was a previous Branch Director, Casin
Director. I was a member for a few years
educate and inspire our members. until the Lower East position opened Swann: Director
Upper East up,” Sines said, adding that he joined of Business
Branch Director, TCAPWA around 2013. Development
Shane Snoderly: Several of his 2024 goals involve at Pavement
City of Alcoa, providing new experiences for his Restorations,
Director of branch members. Sines said he wants to Inc. /PRI of East
Public Works & strengthen membership participation Tennessee
Engineering. in branch meetings while increasing With 24 years in the construction and
Shane “vendor/private company involvement in Public Works industry, Casin Swann says
Snoderly, who training and learning opportunities.” he was first introduced to TCAPWA in
returns as a Branch Director this year, “I also would like to see the Lower 2013, but this is his first time as a Branch
has been in Public Works for 11 years in East Branch have some community Director.
Alcoa. He said he became “very much service/outreach projects as well,” he “My initial involvement with
involved in TCAPWA when I hired added. TCAPWA was with the Middle
in. Kenny Wiggins was the director West Branch Tennessee Branch as Phillip Jones, Sr.
and he had held several positions with Director, was starting to get more involved with
TCAPWA and encouraged me to be Jonathan APWA. My first PWX was in Kansas
involved as well.” Whitfield: City City in 2018,” Swann said.
When Snoderly became Director of Memphis Swann has an aggressive agenda to
of Public Works & Engineering in Manager promote an active schedule of events
November 2018, he was approached by of Street for his branch. “My goal is to meet
Bryon Fortner (Upper East Director no less than once each quarter. As we
at the time) to network with several Maintenance each know, COVID took away almost
individuals to help plan meetings and A positive two years of face-to-face meetings,” he
training. TCAPWA State Conference experience said, adding that he wants “to ensure
“As Bryon prepared to step down prior encouraged new Branch Director our members are able to see each other
to last year’s state conference, I was asked Jonathan Whitfield to become more in-person. And I want our branch to
if I would be interested in the spot. I felt familiar with the organization. provide meaningful speakers at each of
it was an honor to assist and accepted,” “I found out about TCAPWA through those meetings.”
Snoderly said. another member, Ethan Skaggs,” he said. “I also want to take my relationships
“I hope to find meetings and “Initially, I got involved by attending the at the state and county level and blend
presentations that appeal to all personnel 2019 State Conference in Chattanooga. those back into TCAPWA. I’m looking at
and not just office staff. I feel that crews After the first conference, I truly enjoyed using those relationships to recruit new
make Public Works what it is. I heavily the comradery and knowledge I could members in 2024, along with working to
encourage our folks to participate in gain from other Public Works personnel implement a TCAPWA “Day on the Hill”
Rodeos and try to find those training and vendors across the state and (in Nashville) over the next year,” Swann
opportunities that improve them.” country.” said.

24 TPW March/April 2024