NASHVILLE –Paris City Manager Kim Foster was elected to the 2025-26 board of directors of the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) during the League’s annual business meeting recently held in Chattanooga. Julian McTizic, Bolivar mayor, was elected President.
Foster was elected as one of eight district directors to represent her section of the state. She was nominated during a district caucus of TML members from the West Tennessee region and confirmed by the TML Board of Directors.
Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League advocates for the interests of 345 cities and towns across the state of Tennessee, and the citizens they serve. As a member of the TML board of directors, Foster will propose and help determine legislative and policy priorities for the League.
Other board elections include two vice presidents: Kevin Brooks, TML 1st Vice President and Cleveland Mayor; and Blake Lay, TML 2nd Vice President and Lawrenceburg Mayor. TML vice presidents are traditionally in line to serve as president. Paige Brown, immediate past president and Gallatin Mayor, will remain on the board.
The TML board also includes, mayors of Tennessee’s largest cities, four at-large directors, and eight district directors.
The four urban mayors are: Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, and Metro Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell.
The eight district directors, representing their section of the state, were nominated during district caucuses and confirmed by the TML Board of Directors. They are: District 1: Michael Baker, Erwin Alderman; District 2: Gary Chesney, Morristown Mayor; District 3: Stefanie Dalton, Red Bank Mayor; District 4: Keith Morrison, Algood City Administrator; District 5: Tim Ellis, Goodlettsville City Manager; District 6: Jessica Salamida, Nolensville Vice Mayor; District 7: Kim Foster, Paris City Manager; and District 8: Bethany Huffman, Millington Alderwoman.
The four at-large directors were nominated by a six-member nominating committee composed of municipal officials statewide. They were then elected for a one-year term by a majority vote from member municipalities in attendance at the General Business Meeting. Those directors are: Roland “Trey” Dykes, Newport Mayor; Johnny Dodd, Jackson City Council; Paul Montgomery, Kingsport Mayor; and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts.
Mike Callis, Portland Mayor and Chairman of the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund also sits on the board. And a representative from an affiliate organization is also voting board member, Jay Evans, Brentwood Assistant City Manager and President of the Tennessee City Management Association.
“I am humbled by the confidence my fellow district members have in me to represent our area on the TML Board. I look forward to serving and helping to strengthen the position of TN cities across our state.” Foster said.
Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League serves as the voice of and advocate for Tennessee’s 345 towns and cities.
Shannon McFarlin photo.