La Paz Chattanooga has made a wave of staffing changes aimed at supporting its continued growth. The changes include the promotion of three existing team members and the addition of one new full-time staff member.
La Paz elevated longtime team members Jessica Cliche and Lily Sanchez to senior leadership roles. Cliche, who has been with La Paz for more than 15 years, will now serve as senior director of education and engagement, building on her work in health, wellness and community outreach. Sanchez, who joined the organization in 2017, steps into the role of communications and development director.
As part of a strategic restructuring, La Paz split its education and outreach role into two positions. Ashley Valencia, previously program and outreach coordinator, has been promoted to senior outreach coordinator. Meanwhile, Gabriela Bellot, who had supported the organization as a contractor, has joined La Paz full-time as education coordinator.
Cliche began her career with La Paz in 2009 and has earned multiple certifications in health management and leadership. In addition to her work with La Paz, she is active in community service and is a member of the 2024–2025 Leadership Chattanooga class.
Sanchez is a two-time graduate of the University of Tennessee system. She received the GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade) Excellence Award from UTC in 2024. Additionally, Chatter Magazine named her one of its “20 Under 40” in 2023.
Valencia, who joined La Paz in 2021, brings a background in case management and civic leadership. She is a graduate of Protégé Chattanooga and Leadership Chattanooga and actively serves in various local organizations.
Bellot, the newest member of the team, holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. A former Fulbright Scholar, she previously taught English in Colombia before joining La Paz full-time.
Chattanooga Police leadership overhaul
Chattanooga Police Chief John Chambers has appointed five department veterans to his leadership team.
• Deputy Chief Toby Hewitt will serve as second-in-command. A CPD veteran since 2000, Hewitt will oversee policy development, personnel management and fiscal operations.
• Danny Jones becomes assistant chief of the Neighborhood Policing Bureau - the department’s largest bureau. Jones will lead patrol operations and community engagement efforts. He joined the CPD in 2003.
• Assistant Chief of Special Operations Rusty Morrison will head several specialized units including training and recruiting, tactical and traffic operations, and community outreach. Morrison has been with the CPD since 2002.
• Kevin Trussell assumes the role of assistant chief of investigations. He will oversee investigative services ranging from organized and violent crime to intelligence operations. Trussell began his career with the CPD in 2002.
• Chambers has appointed David Young chief of the Professional Standards Division. Young will lead internal affairs, ensure policy compliance and manage accreditation. His new responsibilities also include oversight of human resources and recruiting. Young joined the CPD in 2003.
The selection process took nearly six months and included a nationwide search that attracted 50 applicants, including 10 internal candidates. All final appointments came from within the department.
Huggins to lead First Horizon banking center
First Horizon Bank has announced the appointment of Jamie Huggins as the new banking center manager for its branch located at Erlanger Medical Center on East 3rd Street in Chattanooga. Huggins joins First Horizon from Chattanooga Area Schools Federal Credit Union, where she served as a mortgage specialist. In her new role, she will oversee daily operations at the banking center, lead business development initiatives and grow client relationships. A graduate of Monroe Community College with an associate degree, Huggins lives in Northwest Georgia.