Page 4 - MayJune2026 Vol 44 No 1

PAGE 6 May/June 2026 • VOL. 44 NO.1

Tennessee Public Works Magazine
Online at tnpublicworks.com

5 Join Us for PWX Houston! 19 TPWI 2026 Class Schedule
6 Inaugural Region III Backhoe Roadeo The Tennessee Public Works Institute (TPWI) classes resumed
After months of planning, the Inaugural Region III Backhoe this year with four classes. The final class, Leadership and
Roadeo was held in Knoxville on March 20th. Nineteen Administration, still has room for additional students.
operators from five Chapters gathered to show off their skills. 20 Shelia Huffmire is Named New Middle Tennessee
8 Public Works Spotlight: Houston Daugherty MTAS Public Works Consultant
Daugherty says “it matters not what your role is, it matters what Shelia Huffmire, P.E., based in Murfreesboro, is the new Middle
your perspective and experience is.” It’s a philosophy that he Tennessee Public Works Consultant for Municipal Technical
gained from working the shovel first and the math second. Advisory Services (MTAS), an agency of the University of
Tennessee Institute for Public Service.
10 Public Works Spotlight: Rick Cooper
Cooper says his involvement with TCAPWA has allowed him to 23 Roger Clark Leadership Training
mentor employees, build camaraderie among departments, In March, the Roger Clark Leadership Training, along with the
and represent the City of Chattanooga while showcasing the Winter Regional Meeting for Regions III, IV, and VI, was held in
talents of Public Works professionals. St. Petersburg, Fla. More than 60 participants attended.
12 From Waste to Resources: How Backyard 24 Call for TCAPWA Annual Awards Nominations
Composting Workshops Grow Community 26 West Tennessee Branch Chapter Meeting
Sustainability The West Branch launched the year with a Q1 Lunch &
Since 2023, Knoxville’s Waste and Resources Department has Learn, hosted by Stringfellow at their facility. With around 40
hosted nine Backyard Composting Workshops, empowering professionals attending, the event delivered industry insight,
270 households to compost. What started as an educational networking and exposure to cutting-edge equipment.
opportunity has become a popular community program. 27 Lower East Branch Chapter Meeting
14 What it Means to Work For Public Works The City of Chattanooga hosted the Lower East Branch’s first

David Collins, Administrative Manager for the City of Lunch & Learn of 2026. Oversite presented information on
Chattanooga, says that working for Public Works means products and software solutions designed to improve daily
committing to a profession rooted in service, responsibility, operations, management of projects, and inventory tracking.
and community impact, “one of the most essential functions of 28 Middle Branch Chapter Meeting
local government.” The 2026 Q1 Middle Branch Lunch & Learn meeting was held
16 National Public Works Week Pull-Out Poster at the Greater Tennessee Associated Builders and Contractors’
18 TPWI: Construction Inspection in Public Works facility in Nashville, with approximately 40 members, guests,
The recent 2026 Construction Inspection in Public Works class and generous sponsors in attendance.
of the Tennessee Public Works Institute (TPWI) was held in 29 Contributors to This Issue
Murfreesboro, with 25 students in attendance. 30 Local Government Buyers’ Guide

© 2026 TN Public Works Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. TPW is provided FREE OF CHARGE to TCAPWA members and select
others. Contact us at (865) 288-0815 or info@tnpublicworks.com if you have been contacted by anyone regarding subscriptions. Ad rate sheet available upon request to klair@tnpublicworks.com.
ISSN 0893-5380. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the publisher of TN Public Works Magazine.