Human Resources

HUMAN RESOURCES

Linda Arms : Administrative Coordinator I, CIS

Linda Arms

Administrative Coordinator I, CIS

865.974.6621 | 1610 University Ave., Knoxville, TN 37921-6741
linda.arms@tennessee.edu

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Tusculum College and over twenty years of administrative experience in several areas including accounting, customer service and finance. My broad background has prepared me well for the challenges of a fast-paced work environment. My previous work experience includes positions with TVA, and Smurfit Stone Container Corporation where I held a number of positions of increasing responsibility. Each of these positions provided me with the experience necessary to succeed as an employee of the University of Tennessee. I have the desire and the ability to work well with a diverse population of all levels and my strong communication skills make it easy for me to build lasting relationships with those I serve. 

Sherri Brown : Administrative Specialist, MTAS

Sherri Brown

Administrative Specialist, MTAS

865.974.3632 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
sherri.brown@tennessee.edu

Sherri  joined Institute for Public Service, Central Office January 2, 2007 as an Administrative Assistant. She relocated to MTAS November 5, 2012 to provide administrative support in  accounts payable. Sherri received a Paralegal Degree in May 2006.  Sherri was born in Northern  Indiana and in 1969 her family relocated to Ft. Davis, Texas and then later to El Paso, Texas.

Clarence and  Sherri married February 17, 1976.  The Brown family moved to Knoxville in 1988.  Clarence and Sherri have  two daughters, (Kimberly and Rebecca), a son-in-law, (Jeffry), two grandsons, (Jacob and Jax), one granddaughter, (Karin).

Sherri enjoys reading,  knitting and different kinds of needlework.  Disc Golf and bicycling provide her with much needed exercise.

Steven Cross : Fire Management Consultant, MTAS

Steven Cross

Fire Management Consultant, MTAS

615.532.7108 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
steven.cross@tennessee.edu

Steven Cross is a Fire Management Consultant with the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS).  After serving more than 30-years in local and state government, he joined MTAS on July 9, 2017.  His duties include providing technical assistance and consulting services for municipal, county, and state governemnt leaders in areas of leadership and fire rescue department and emergency services management as well as serving as a resource for state-wide professional associations.

Steven joined the fire service as a municipal firefighter in 1986.  He served for over 27 years with the Columbia Fire Department, the last 17 years as Columbia’s Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Chief. Prior to joining the University of Tennessee, Steven served in the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office's Fire Fighting Personnel Standards and Education Commission. 

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration from Waldorf University in Forrest City, Iowa
  • Associate of Science in Fire Science Administration from Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, Alabama
  • Technical Certificate in Fire Science from Volunteer State Community College in Gallating, Tennessee
  • Emergency Medical Responder from the State of Tennessee
  • Fire Officer Level IV IFSAC / ProBoard from Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS

  • Chief Fire Officer designation (CFO), Commission on Fire Accreditation International
  • Internationsl Association of Fire Chiefs
  • Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association
  • Tennessee All Hazards Incident Management Team
  • Public Entity Risk Management, Insurance Institute of America
 

 

Keith Groves : Solutions Consultant, CIS

Keith Groves

Solutions Consultant, CIS

731.425.4779 | 605 Airways Blvd., Suite 109, Jackson, TN 38301
keith.groves@tennessee.edu

            Keith Groves, Resource Program Manager, joined The University of Tennessee, Institute for Public Service – Center for Industrial Services in March of 2005.  The Center focuses on strengthening manufacturing in Tennessee to secure jobs for the citizens of our state.

            Prior to joining the Center for Industrial Services, Keith worked in retail sales for 11 years and in manufacturing for 16 years.  During the 16 years in manufacturing, he became involved in Lean Manufacturing and has worked extensively in Lean Manufacturing since 1995.  In 2006, Keith worked in the development of a new program for the center called Business Transformation. This is a holistic approach to moving businesses into the future with the tools to increase their ability to compete in a global market and improve profitability.

            In 2011 Lean for Government was a program implemented in State Government to focus on improving processes and to train state employees on Lean Methodologies, Keith has been the core deliverer for this process.

John Grubbs : Hr Consultant, MTAS

John Grubbs

Hr Consultant, MTAS

615.532.6827 | 226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 606, Nashville, TN 37219
john.grubbs@tennessee.edu

John is the Human Resource Management Consultant for cities and towns in the Middle TN grand division.  He holds a bachelor’s in management from Trevecca Nazarene University and a master’s in human resource management from the University of Connecticut, as well as senior level certifications from IPMA-HR, SHRM and HRCI. 

John has over 30 years of experience in management and human resources, with over a decade in local government in Tennessee.  He has also worked in the transportation, automotive manufacturing, defense manufacturing, and consulting industries.  Prior to joining MTAS, John served as the Human Resources Director for Portland, TN and White House, TN.

 

Angie McLemore : Administrative Coordinator, IPS

Angie McLemore

Administrative Coordinator, IPS

(865) 974-4946 | 1610 University Ave, Knoxville, TN 37921
angie.mclemore@tennessee.edu
Margaret Norris : Executive Director, MTAS

Margaret Norris

Executive Director, MTAS

865.974.9063 | 1610 University Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921
margaret.norris@tennessee.edu

Margaret Norris is the Executive Director for the Municipal Technical Advisory Service, housed in the Institute for Public Service at the University of Tennessee.  She has been with MTAS since 2001. She served as a municipal management consultant for 16 years before becoming the executive director in 2017.

Prior to joining MTAS, Margaret once worked for the agency as a graduate intern.  Her other experience includes work in Chattanooga, Tennessee; Kansas City, Missouri; South Pittsburg Tennessee; and Lumberton, North Carolina.  Titles she has held include records manager, post graduate intern, finance director and city manager.

Margaret graduated Magna Cum Laude from UTK with dual degrees in Psychology and Spanish and she earned a master of public administration from UTC.  She served as the Executive Director of the Tennessee City Management Association from 2004-2008.  She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, the Tennessee City Management Association, the National Association of Parliamentarians, and the International City/County Management Association. 

 

Honna Rogers : Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

Honna Rogers

Municipal Management Consultant, MTAS

423.425-4239 | Political Science and Public Service, Dept. 6256, Pfeiffer 302, Chattanooga, TN 37403
honna.rogers@tennessee.edu

Honna Rogers grew up in Northeast Georgia.  She graduated from Piedmont College in Demorest, GA with a Bachelors of History degree and from the University of Tennessee with a Masters in Public Administration.  She previously worked for the City of Sevierville and as a Post Graduate Management Fellow with UT-MTAS.  While at MTAS she worked with the cities of Cleveland, Athens, East Ridge, and Signal Mountain and the SE TN Development District and the Athens Utility Board.  Honna spent five years as the Town Manager of Signal Mountain, TN before returning to UT-MTAS.  Honna and her husband, Joshua, reside in Signal Mountain with their two children.