MARTIN, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin’s WestStar Leadership program held the New West Tennessee Mayors Meet-up event Nov. 9 at the Dunagan Alumni Center on the main campus. The event was co-sponsored by Northwest Tennessee Development District, Southwest Tennessee Development District, UT Martin and WestStar Leadership.
With eight recently elected mayors in West Tennessee, the leadership organization held this event in hopes of discussing new opportunities in West Tennessee brought about by Blue Oval City. This also gave these mayors the chance to discuss the region’s future and ask questions to the experienced mayors attending the event.
Marianne Dunavant, government relations manager at Blue Oval City, and State Sen. Ed Jackson spoke at the luncheon, with incumbent mayors Joseph Butler, of Carroll County, Mike Creasy, of Decatur County, Kevin Davis, of Hardin County, Gary Reasons, of Crockett County, and John Penn Ridgeway, of Henry County, serving on the mayors’ panel.
Newly elected mayors in attendance were Robbie McCready, of Henderson County, Steve Carr, of Obion County, Danny Cook, of Lake County, Mark Ward, of Benton County, Nelson Cunningham, of Gibson County, and AJ Massey, of Madison County.
WestStar Leadership educates, engages, and empowers a diverse group of community-minded individuals to collaborate, lead and serve to facilitate positive change in West Tennessee. WestStar is the oldest and longest regional leadership program in the state.
Photo: Tennessee Sen. Ed Jackson, Madison Co. Mayor AJ Massey, Crockett Co. Mayor Gary Reasons, and Benton Co. Mayor Mark Ward.