Chattanooga Police Lieutenant Justin Kilgore has graduated from the 297th session of the FBI National Academy, a prestigious leadership program for law enforcement professionals.
Kilgore was among 253 officers selected to attend the academy in Quantico, Virginia. The class included representatives from 48 states, the District of Columbia and 24 countries, along with members of four military and four federal civilian organizations.
Fewer than 1% of law enforcement officers worldwide are accepted into the academy, and participants average more than two decades of experience. Kilgore brings 25 years of service with the Chattanooga Police Department and currently serves as lieutenant over Internal Affairs.
The 10-week program includes advanced training in communication, leadership and physical fitness, taught by FBI instructors, special agents and staff with advanced degrees.
Chattanooga State promotes Eastman to vice president
Chattanooga State Community College has named Karen Eastman, Ed.D., as its new vice president of academic affairs, recognizing more than 20 years of service to the institution.
Eastman joined the college in 2003 as an adjunct faculty member and became a full-time anatomy and physiology instructor in 2004. Over the years, she’s played a key role in shaping academic programs, mentoring faculty and supporting student success.
During her time as a faculty member, Eastman developed the college’s first fully online anatomy and physiology course and received the Teaching Excellence Award for Arts and Sciences in 2013.
She has since held multiple leadership roles, including department head for life sciences, interim dean and dean of the Math and Sciences Division and interim vice president for academic affairs.
Over the past eight months in the interim role, Eastman has led academic planning and collaboration efforts, including development of the Blue Horizon corporate training partnership to expand workforce opportunities.
She was also selected for the inaugural Tennessee Board of Regents Academic Affairs Leadership Academy, a program designed to prepare future leaders in the state’s community college system.
Chambliss welcomes construction law attorney
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has announced the addition of attorney Theresa Critchfield to its construction and real estate practice groups.
Critchfield brings more than 20 years of experience representing a wide range of clients in the construction industry, including contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, suppliers, developers and property owners. Her work spans both transactional matters and litigation.
Raised in a family business that supplied materials to the construction industry, Critchfield gained early insight into the challenges facing contractors and suppliers. She advises clients from contract negotiation through project completion, with a focus on risk management and dispute resolution.
Her litigation experience includes representing clients in state and federal courts, as well as mediation and arbitration, handling issues such as payment disputes, project delays, design concerns and lien and bond claims. She also advises on licensing, project administration and real estate matters, including commercial landlord-tenant issues.
Critchfield has been active in numerous professional organizations. She was the first female affiliate elected to the board of Associated General Contractors of East Tennessee and has served on its legal and legislative committees. She currently chairs the Tennessee Bar Association Construction Law Section and is involved in several national organizations.
She earned her undergraduate and law degrees from Mercer University and is licensed to practice in Tennessee and Georgia.
Preserve Chattanooga names development director
Preserve Chattanooga has appointed Nich Youngblood as its new Director of Development, where he will lead fundraising efforts and donor engagement to support the organization’s preservation mission.
Youngblood brings nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience, including expertise in development, donor stewardship and international fundraising. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations grow through strategic fundraising initiatives, storytelling and community partnerships.
In his new role, he will focus on cultivating donor relationships and expanding philanthropic support for efforts to protect and celebrate the city’s historic places.
Youngblood previously served as director of operations for a historic polo ranch and event venue, where he oversaw programming and stewardship of a 400-acre property. Earlier in his career, he spent several years in Haiti, where he founded a youth tennis mentorship program for at-risk youth.
He has lived in Chattanooga for several years and is active in the community. He and his husband own MDRN MUSE Dental Aesthetics in the city’s Southside neighborhood.
Chattanooga names deputy administrator
The city of Chattanooga Department of Community Development has appointed Veronica McGraw as deputy administrator.
McGraw brings nearly 30 years of experience across nonprofit, private and public sectors, with expertise in organizational leadership, compliance, community development, health care and communications.
She most recently served as bureau chief of program operations for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, and previously worked as deputy executive director for the state of Tennessee, where she helped lead statewide initiatives and policy implementation.
A Cleveland native, McGraw holds a Master of Public Administration and Leadership from Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Communication from Notre Dame College. She’s also a graduate of the State of Tennessee Boards and Commissions Leadership Academy and the Accelerated Leadership Institute.
In her new role, McGraw will support departmental operations, strengthen internal processes and advance Mayor Tim Kelly’s ONE Chattanooga goals focused on community development and neighborhood investment.
East Ridge selects Koral as its new city manager
The City of East Ridge has selected Brian Koral as its next city manager following a nationwide recruitment process, with the City Council unanimously approving his appointment at its March 26 meeting.
Koral succeeds longtime City Manager J. Scott Miller, who retired earlier this year, and will serve as the city’s chief administrative officer. In that role, he will oversee municipal operations, strategic planning, budgeting and the implementation of policies set by the mayor and City Council.
Koral brings nearly 20 years of local government experience to the role. Most recently, he served as city administrator for Riverside, Missouri, from 2018 to 2026, where he oversaw a $56 million budget and managed core municipal functions including public safety, parks and community development.
During his tenure in Riverside, he guided significant growth and development initiatives, including the approval of 280 new residential units. He also played a role in developing the first purpose-built training facility for a women’s professional sports team in partnership with the National Women’s Soccer League’s Kansas City Current, and collaborated with Live Nation on construction of the $130 million Morton Amphitheater.
Before his time in Missouri, Koral served seven years as town administrator for Atoka, Tennessee. There, he led several initiatives, including launching Tipton County’s first curbside recycling program, constructing a new municipal complex and investing in roads, parks and trails. He also helped establish the ALS-qualified Atoka Fire Department.
Koral began his career in local government with the city of Sedalia, Missouri, where he held multiple roles.
Koral is expected to begin in May and will relocate to East Ridge with his wife and two children.
Tivoli Foundation adds senior leadership role
The Tivoli Theatre Foundation has announced the appointment of Lucy Rymer as its new chief operating officer for external affairs and development. In the role, Rymer will provide strategic leadership across development, marketing and public relations, community engagement and the Tivoli Education Program.
Rymer brings more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience, most recently serving as executive director of the Museum & Cultural Center at 5ive Points in Cleveland, Tennessee. In that role, she led a significant organizational transformation, stabilizing operations, expanding partnerships and increasing community engagement.
The foundation is currently undertaking a $75 million restoration of the historic Tivoli Theatre and development of the Tivoli Performing Arts Center, with both venues expected to reopen later this year.