Berke administration staff transitions during second term

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — Officials with Mayor Andy Berke’s office announced two staffers in his administration will be transitioning back to the private sector.

Justin Wilkins, currently the Deputy Chief of Staff, will be leaving within the next 30 days, and Lacie Newton, Senior Advisor to the Mayor, is completing her last day with the city on Friday. Wilkins has been with the Berke Administration since 2014, while Newton has worked in city government since the Mayor’s transition in 2013.

Both Wilkins and Newton have contributed to key projects during their tenure in City government, including the Mayor’s challenge to end homelessness among the City’s veterans, the July 16, 2015 response, and the establishment of the Family Justice Center. Newton will reopen the private consulting business she operated prior to her tenure in the Administration; Wilkins will be launching a new statewide advocacy and civic engagement initiative in Tennessee.

Stacy Richardson, Berke’s Chief of Staff and both staffers’ supervisor, thanked them for their service to the City, “Justin and Lacie have been both incredible public servants. They are two of the most hard working and dedicated professionals I have had the pleasure of working with. Everyone in our office wishes them the best as they further their careers in the private sector.”

The Berke Administration is in the final stages of hiring for several appointments, including a Chief of Police. The review committee for the Police Chief is in the final stages of making their recommendations to the Mayor.