Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly has unveiled key additions to his senior leadership team aimed at advancing his “One Chattanooga” vision and building on the momentum of his first term.
Key appointments include:
Kevin Roig – chief of staff: Roig joined the Kelly administration in 2023 as senior adviser for public affairs and has been serving as deputy chief since early 2024. He will now take on the role of chief of staff. He brings nearly a decade of experience in Washington, D.C., including senior roles under former Louisiana U.S. Rep. Garret Graves and campaign leadership.
Charita Allen – senior adviser for economic and workforce development: With more than 25 years of experience in economic and workforce development, Allen will report directly to the mayor. She returns to the administration after previous leadership roles at both the city and state levels, including her work at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.
Nicole Heyman – chief policy officer: Heyman, the city’s current chief housing officer, will expand her role to lead policy development citywide. She previously served in policy and investment roles in New Orleans and at the Center for Community Progress and led the creation of Chattanooga’s first Housing Action Plan.
Darrin Ledford – deputy chief of staff: A former City Council member and past chair, Ledford brings local governance and business experience to the administration. Known for his leadership on zoning and planning issues, he played a pivotal role in modernizing the city’s zoning code and advocating for public service improvements.
All four appointments are set to take effect May 2.
The new leadership lineup underscores Mayor Kelly’s continued focus on his One Chattanooga initiative, a framework he introduced during his first term to promote equity and opportunity across the city.