The Chattanooga City Council has confirmed Cedric Henson as administrator of the Department of Community Development. Henson has served as interim administrator since July and previously worked as deputy administrator for the Department of Public Works.
He has been with the city for the past two years. In his new role, Henson will continue to lead the department as it adopts the city’s new Community Hub model, which delivers services, programs and resources through a network of 18 community centers – each guided by its own advisory council to meet the unique needs of its neighborhood.
Leadership HCS launches 2026 cohort
The newest cohort of Leadership Hamilton County Schools began its yearlong program on Sept. 30, launching a hands-on journey designed to connect community leaders with the work happening in local public schools.
Leadership HCS offers participants an inside look at Hamilton County Schools through school visits, discussions and shadowing opportunities that highlight both the district’s strengths and challenges. The 2025–2026 program includes eight sessions running through April and features a Principal for a Day experience that allows members to step into the role of a school leader.
Since its inception in 2019, more than 150 local leaders have participated in the program, which promotes collaboration between the school district and the broader community. This year’s 28-member cohort represents education, government, business and nonprofit organizations across Hamilton County.
Members of the 2026 Leadership HCS cohort include Alayna Best, program officer at the McKenzie Foundation; Allen Pratt, director of the Center of Excellence and Innovation in Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Aubrey Joynt, director of development for Lifespring Community Health; Benjie Slaton, lead pastor of Grace & Peace Church; Betsy McCright, executive director of the Chattanooga Housing Authority; Daniel Bewley, deputy director of outreach and economic initiatives for Hamilton County Government; Denise Cook, court director for Hamilton County Government; Elliot Scott, chief people officer at Scout Freight; Emory Evans, community engagement coordinator for United Way of Greater Chattanooga; Haile Nottage, director of the Chattanooga Future Fund at Chattanooga 2.0; and Jim Stailey, chief operating officer for Goodwill Industries of the Greater Chattanooga Area.
The program continues through April 2026, with participants exploring key topics such as the district’s strategic plan, academic frameworks, student support systems and operations.
Turner joins CHI Memorial Urology
Nurse practitioner Darryl Turner has joined CHI Memorial Urology Associates. Turner earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of South Alabama in Mobile and a master’s degree in nursing with concentrations in family nurse practice, adult acute care and first assist from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He brings 10 years of experience caring for patients with urological conditions and specializes in men’s health. Turner is accepting new patients. For appointments or more information, call 423 756-7860 or visit CHIMemorialMedicalGroup.org.
Whitener to lead Covenant Leadership Center
Covenant College has appointed Jennifer Whitener as executive director of the Brock-Barnes Center for Leadership. Whitener’s career includes senior roles with Ernst & Young, Cap Gemini, Prudential HealthCare and Kaiser Permanente, as well as founding and growing Bridge Innovate, a Chattanooga-based consulting firm serving Fortune 500 companies, health care systems, nonprofits and educational institutions.
As executive director, Whitener will guide the Brock-Barnes Center toward a next-generation model that deepens engagement between professional leaders and students through dialogue, learning, service and thought leadership rooted in Christian principles.
In addition to her new role, Whitener will continue to provide strategic guidance to Bridge Innovate, where senior consultants will assume shared leadership of the practice.
Chattanooga honors Long’s legacy of service
The city of Chattanooga’s Department of Community Development is honoring Jimmy Long, longtime manager of the John A. Patten Community Center, as he retires after more than 45 years of service to the Lookout Valley community.
Long’s connection to John A. Patten dates back to the 1970s, when the building transitioned from a school into a community center. Since then, he’s dedicated his career to ensuring the center remains a welcoming and engaging space for all residents. Under his leadership, the facility has become a cornerstone of community life, offering programs such as pickleball, quilting, arts and crafts and summer camps for local youth.
A lifelong resident and servant leader, Long credits his staff and the strong sense of community in Lookout Valley for the center’s success. Guided by faith and purpose, he views his work as a calling and hopes his legacy reflects his dedication and love for the people he has served.
“John A. Patten has always been more than a building,” Long says. “It’s a place where people come to feel safe, connect with one another and build lifelong memories.”
Lowdermilk named Enterprise Center president
The board of directors of The Enterprise Center (TEC) has named Sammy Lowdermilk as the organization’s next president and CEO. The Enterprise Center is a nonprofit economic development partner of the city of Chattanooga and Hamilton County that helps residents connect with technology and training.
Lowdermilk joined TEC’s Tech Goes Home (TGH) program in 2015 and became program director in 2017. He’s served as interim president and CEO since January. Under his leadership, TGH has expanded from six classes in 2015 to serving more than 18,000 Tennesseans, delivering 15,000 devices across nearly every county in the state while maintaining a focus on Chattanooga and Hamilton County residents.
“My heart has always been in work that connects people with opportunity,” Lowdermilk says. “The Enterprise Center is building on its legacy of improving lives across Hamilton County and Tennessee. Our move to the Lupton Building in 2026 will strengthen our ability to serve the community. I’m dedicated to positioning TEC as both a neighborhood anchor and regional leader – partnering locally so every resident has access to the same tools and opportunities, and connecting regionally to strengthen Chattanooga’s role in the southeastern innovation corridor.”
Before joining The Enterprise Center, Lowdermilk worked for the Launch Tennessee accelerator in the Upper Cumberland region, where he organized computer programming camps and workshops for youth statewide. He also served as district director for U.S. Congressman Lincoln Davis from 2003 to 2011, helping connect Tennesseans with essential services and funding opportunities.
Erlanger adds Courington as orthopaedic oncologist
Erlanger Orthopaedics has announced the addition of Dr. Reese Courington, the Chattanooga area’s only orthopaedic oncologist, to its team of surgeons. Courington specializes in treating both pediatric and adult patients with benign and malignant bone and soft tissue tumors, metastatic bone disease and complex joint reconstruction.
He completed his residency at the Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute, where he received the Excellence in Leadership Award, and a fellowship in orthopaedic oncology, limb salvage and reconstruction at The Ohio State University James Cancer Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Courington is seeing patients at Erlanger Orthopaedics. Call 423 778-4900 for more information.
AIM board welcomes Jeanna Faulhaber
The AIM Institute has announced the appointment of Jeanna Faulhaber, chief information officer at Lozier Corporation, to its board of directors. Faulhaber is a seasoned technology and business leader with extensive experience in information technology, supply chain management and enterprise transformation. She has led multiple SAP and Oracle implementations, complex IT integrations and large-scale organizational change initiatives. AIM leaders say her expertise will help advance the organization’s mission to grow and support tech talent across the region.