CTAS Staff
 | Stephen Austin, Legal Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 Stephen W. Austin, Legal Consultant, joined CTAS in January 2003. Prior to joining CTAS, Steve served as an assistant attorney general for the State of Tennessee, assigned to the criminal justice division, handling federal and state capital case litigation. Before that, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a judge advocate, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He retired from the U.S. Marine Corps at the rank of major after 23 years of service. He received his law degree from the University of Memphis in 1989 and his bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1986. |
 | Nikki Ballentine, Manager of Training & Technology Services226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 nikki.ballentine@tennessee.edu Nikki Ballentine, CPTM, Manager of Training & Technology Services, joined CTAS in October 2019. Prior to joining CTAS, she was a Sr. Instructional Developer for the Cizik School of Nursing at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Texas. She holds a Master of Science in Instructional Design & Technology from Emporia State University, a Master of Education in Workforce Development Education from the University of Arkansas; and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development from Christian Brothers University. In 2021, Nikki earned the designation of Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). |
 | Heather Duncan, County Government Consultant228 Carroll Hollow Road Normandy, TN 37360 (931) 273-1080 heather.duncan@tennessee.edu Heather Duncan joined CTAS in February 2021. Heather previously served as Coffee County Circuit Court Clerk for 26 years, taking office in September 1994. During her tenure as circuit court clerk, Heather served as the president of the County Officials Association of Tennessee (COAT) and earned the Certified Public Administrator designation in June 1999. Heather has assisted in training newly elected circuit court clerks since 2002. Prior to being elected Circuit Court Clerk, Heather was an accountant at the Arnold Air Force Base in Tullahoma. She holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a major in accounting from Tennessee Technological University. Heather earned a Master’s Degree in business administration from Middle Tennessee State University with an emphasis in organizational management. |
 | Rachel Ellington, Training Consultant605 Airways Blvd, Suite 109 Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 423-3710 rachel.ellington@tennessee.edu Rachel Ellington, CPTM, CCFO Training Consultant, joined CTAS in February 2019. Prior to joining CTAS, Rachel worked as the Budget Director for Haywood County, Tennessee, and as a tax consultant for Deloitte Tax LLP. She graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Accountancy degree in 2013 and a Master of Taxation in 2014. Rachel is a licensed CPA in Tennessee and a member of the American Institute for Certified Public Accounts and the Tennessee Society of CPAs. In 2021, she earned the designation of Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). |
 | Mike Galey, County Government Consultant475 Clement Hall Martin, TN 38238 (731) 881-7056 mike.galey@tennessee.edu Mike Galey, County Government Consultant, joined CTAS in March 2011. Prior to his service with CTAS, he worked for 20 years with the Local Government Corporation, providing software training and support to city and county governments in Tennessee. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. |
 | Kristy Godsey Brown, Manager of Legal Services226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 Kristy Godsey Brown, Manager of Legal Services, joined CTAS in February 2007. Prior to joining CTAS, Kristy practiced real estate and regulatory law at a Nashville law firm. She received her bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, in political science from the University of Tennessee in 1999 and was the College of Arts and Sciences Top Graduate, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She received her law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School in 2003 and was the Elliott E. Cheatham Scholar, a Dean’s Scholar and on the Dean’s List. |
 | Liz Gossett, E-Media & Information Specialist226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 liz@tennessee.edu Liz Gossett, E-Media and Information Specialist, joined CTAS in September 2012. Prior to joining CTAS, Liz was a research associate for the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Long Range Planning Division. She received a Bachelor of Science in 2007 in Urban Policy Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2005, both from Georgia State University in Atlanta. Liz graduated with a Master of Science in Information Science from the University of Tennessee in May 2015. |
 | Joe Griffin, Property Assessment Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (931) 215-1635 joe.griffin@tennessee.edu Joe Griffin joined CTAS in October 2016. He has over 23 years of property assessment experience. Joe worked for the Metro Nashville Davidson County Property Assessor’s office for three years where he was the Assessments Manager. Prior to working for Davidson County, Joe was a manager for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury’s Division of Property Assessments. He earned the designation of Tennessee Master Assessor in 2005, and he received the TNAAO Award of Excellence in 2011. Joe holds the Residential Appraisal Specialist (RES)and Assessment Administration Specialist (AAS) designations through IAAO. He is also a certified instructor for IAAO course 1 and 2 in the state of Tennessee. Joe earned his Bachelor of Business Arts in Business Management with a minor in General Business/Marketing from Austin Peay in 1993. |
 | Rick Hall, County Government Consultant2112 North Roan Street, Suite 604 Johnson City, TN 37601 423-282-4141 rick.hall@tennessee.edu Rick Hall, County Government Consultant, joined CTAS in January 1992 as assistant county field advisor, working with counties which have adopted the Financial Management Act of 1981. Before coming to CTAS, Rick was finance director in Scott County. He serves counties in northeast Tennessee (Region 1). He has a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology and a master’s degree in city management from East Tennessee State University. |
 | Jim Hart, Interim Manager of Field Services6435 Harbor Master Drive Hixson, TN 37343 (423) 413-7902 jim.hart@tennessee.edu Jim Hart, Interim Manager of Field Services, joined CTAS in January 2008. He began his career in corrections in 1975 while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. His 22-year career was spent working in five different Marine Corps correctional facilities, operating a correctional custody (boot camp program for minor offenders), and as the director of Marine Corps Corrections. Upon his retirement in 1997, Jim became jail captain for Hamilton County, where he was responsible for day-to-day operations. Later, he was promoted to chief of corrections responsible for the overall operation of the jail. He is a Certified Jail Manager with the AJA and a Certified Corrections Executive with the ACA. He holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Park College and a master of arts in leadership and public service from Lipscomb University. Jim was named Interim Manager of Field Services in January 2021. |
 | Kim Henry, Training Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 kimberly.henry@tennessee.edu Kim Henry, CPTM, COCTP Training Consultant, joined CTAS in January 2004. She was previously employed with the administrative office of the Tennessee Supreme Court as a conference coordinator. Prior to her experience with the Tennessee Supreme Court, Kim was a retirement specialist and marketing representative with the Treasury Department. She also has experience as a correctional officer with Corrections Corporation of America. Kim has a bachelor’s degree in communications, with a criminal justice minor, from Tennessee State University. She earned the designation of Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM) in 2021. |
 | Melisa Kelton, County Government Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37216 (615) 532-3555 melisa.kelton@tennessee.edu Melisa Kelton joined CTAS in January 2017 as our Finance and Budget Consultant. She was named County Government Consultant for the southern Middle Tennessee region in February 2020. She previously worked at the Center for Industrial Services, beginning in December 1996. She also has over 20 years of experience working in both private and public financial sectors. Melisa earned her undergraduate degree from Tennessee Technological University and her graduate degree from Middle Tennessee State University. |
 | Jacob Kennedy, Database Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 jacob.kennedy@tennessee.edu Jacob Kennedy joined CTAS in February 2020 as Database Consultant. Prior to CTAS, he worked 7 years as an Information systems auditor for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury and 3 years as the database administrator for the ERP system of Williamson County. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University in 2016. Jacob has been a Certified Information Systems Auditor since 2013. |
 | DeAnna Ledbetter, Administrative Coordinator226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 deanna.ledbetter@tennessee.edu DeAnna, Administrative Coordinator, joined CTAS in March 2020. She previously worked service consultant at Forklift Systems. She is a Tennessee native who loves to travel and spending time with her nephews. |
 | Gabe Looney, Property Assessment Consultant1610 University Ave Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 271-7803 gabe.looney@tennessee.edu Gabe Looney joined CTAS in March 2017. Gabe has over 17 years of property assessment experience. Gabe previously worked for the Blount County Property Assessor’s Office as the Assistant Property Assessor and for an assessor in Clay County, Florida as a commercial/industrial field appraiser. Currently, he is serving as the Vice President of the Tennessee Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers and in 2017 was awarded the IAAO designation of Assessment Administration Specialist. Gabe earned his Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Psychology and a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of North Florida in 1995. |
 | Gabrielle McCollum, Manager of Operations & Customer Service226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 gabrielle@tennessee.edu Gabrielle, Manager of Operations & Customer Service, joined CTAS in 2018. Prior to joining CTAS, Gabrielle was in public education for 17 years in Texas as a classroom teacher and then as an Instructional Technology Specialist. Gabrielle earned a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree in Education from Abilene Christian University in Abilene. TX. She is a native of Colorado and loves to travel. |
 | Kelley McNeal, Training Consultant25 West Broad Street, Suite 6 Cookeville, TN 38501 (931) 260-2233 kelley.mcneal@tennessee.edu Prior to joining CTAS in July 2018, Kelley worked as an Information Systems Auditor with the Comptroller of the Treasury’s Division of Local Government Audit for 23 years. Kelley holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration with an accounting concentration from Tennessee Technological University. She has served as an adjunct faculty member at Nashville State Community College and Tennessee Technological University. Kelley is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Government Financial Manager. In 2021, she earned the designation of Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). |
 | Jeff Metzger, Legal Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 Jeff Metzger, Legal Consultant, joined CTAS in 2007. Prior to joining CTAS, Jeff was an associate at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis. He graduated magna cum laude from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 2001. He received his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 2005, graduating summa cum laude. While at the University of Tennessee College of Law, he received a Chancellor’s Citation for Extraordinary Professional Promise. |
 | Chris Payne, Training Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 chris.payne@tennessee.edu Chris Payne, CPTM, COCTP Training Consultant, has been with CTAS since July 1999. Chris worked with county and local governments in GIS computer software support for Camber Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama prior to joining the staff at CTAS. Chris has a bachelor’s degree in geography from the University of Alabama and received GIS experience while employed at Intergraph Corporation in Huntsville, Alabama. He is a certified GIS Professional. In 2021, Crhis earned the designation of Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). |
 | Pamela Peters, Accounting Specialist226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 pam.peters@tennessee.edu Pam Peters, Accounting Specialist, joined CTAS in March 1997. Previously, Pam was the office supervisor at the Center for Industrial Services, where she started in December 1988. Prior to that, she was the office manager and executive assistant to the director of the state of Tennessee Military Department Facilities Engineering office. She graduated from Draughons Business College and has attended TSU and Nashville State Technical Community College. |
 | Kim Raia, Environmental Management Consultant1610 University Ave Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 974-6434 kim.raia@tennessee.edu Kim Raia, Environmental Management Consultant, has been with CTAS since 2000. Kim has worked in environmental services since the early 1980s. She has worked with federal, state and local officials on environmental issues related to GIS and land use planning, solid waste management, water quality, education, and environmental compliance. Kim holds three degrees from the University of Tennessee —bachelor’s degrees in biology and geography and a master’s degree in geography. She is a certified GIS Professional. |
 | Wesley Robertson, County Government Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (931) 797-6474 wesley.robertson@tennessee.edu Wesley Robertson, County Government Consultant, joined CTAS in May 2011. Wesley received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Business Administration from Tennessee Technological University. Prior to joining CTAS, he served as the executive director of Local Finance with the Tennessee Department of Education. Wesley is also a Certified Government Financial Manager. He currently serves on the board of directors of the Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association. |
 | Ben Rodgers, County Government Consultant25 West Broad Street, Ste. 6 Cookeville, TN 38501 (931) 510-6902 ben.rodgers@tennessee.edu Ben Rodgers, County Government Consultant, joined CTAS in 2005. He assists counties in the Upper Cumberland area (Region 3). Ben graduated from Tennessee Technological University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in accounting. He worked in public accounting for over two and half years prior to joining CTAS. |
 | John Rose, Criminal Justice Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (423) 956-1200 john.rose@tennessee.edu John Rose joined CTAS in November 2017 as Criminal Justice Consultant. John has an extensive background in law enforcement including 18 years of sworn law enforcement experience. He has taught many classes on various law enforcement topics including active shooter situations, ethics, forensic science and counter-terrorism. He has been an adjunct faculty member at East Tennessee State University and associate professor of Criminal Justice at Walters State Community College. Prior to his training career, John was a police officer in New Jersey and Kingsport, Tennessee. He has also worked for the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office in several roles since 1995. John earned a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology in 2006, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1984, and an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement in 1982, all from East Tennessee State University. |
 | Rachel Ruble, Administrative Coordinator226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 Rachel joined CTAS in August 2021. Prior to joining CTAS, Rachel worked in higher education throughout the middle Tennessee area for over 11 years, including 8 years as an Admissions Advisor for Volunteer State Community College, helping students from application to graduation. She also worked previously in customer service within the private sector. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising from the University of Tennessee as well as an Associate of Science degree in Communication from Volunteer State Community College. Rachel is a native Tennessean and loves to travel with her family. |
 | Kelsey Schweitzer, County Government Consultant605 Airways Blvd., Suite 109 Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 336-3576 kelsey.schweitzer@tennessee.edu Kelsey Schweitzer joined CTAS in October 2017 as County Government Consultant for the southern West Tennessee region. He previously worked for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury as a legislative auditor and in the banking industry. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2017 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, summa cum laude, in 2010, both from the University of Tennessee at Martin. Kelsey also earned the Certified Government Financial Manager designation in 2019. |
 | Laylah Smith, Legal Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd, Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 Laylah Smith, Legal Consultant, joined CTAS in September 2020. Prior to joining CTAS, Laylah was the Chief Legal Counsel for the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC), where she focused primarily on legal issues affecting local government, government contracts, and employment law. Before joining GNRC, Laylah was a solo practitioner focusing mainly on elder and family law. Laylah received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Belmont University in 2004 and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, in 2008. She received her law degree from Nashville School of Law in 2013. |
 | Mike Stooksberry, Senior Environmental Management Consultant475 Clement Hall Martin, TN 38238 (731) 881-7077 mike.stooksberry@tennessee.edu Mike Stooksberry, Environmental Management Consultant, has been with CTAS since May 1992. Mike has 39 years combined experience working as a county surveyor, a city public works director, a city manager, and as a construction management and waste consultant with the U.S. military in Germany. He has a bachelor’s degree in engineering technology from the University of Tennessee, and also is a graduate of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers EOAC and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and retired Colonel in the USAR. He has professional certifications from the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) in Best Management Practices, Landfill Management and Transfer Station Operation and holds a license as a Tennessee Registered Land Surveyor. |
 | John Sutton, CCFO Program Manager1610 University Ave Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 963-5633 john.sutton@tennessee.edu John Sutton, CPA, CPTM, started with CTAS in July 2019 with 35 years’ experience in local governmental accounting, auditing and financial reporting. Previously, John was a Senior Audit Manager with PUGH CPAs, an RSM US Alliance Firm, and with another local CPA firm both located in Knoxville, TN. After graduating with a BBA Degree with a major in accounting from Middle Tennessee State University, he began his career as a staff auditor with the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Division of Local Government Audit. John has extensive experience working with counties, boards of education, cities, utility districts and governmental pension and retirement plans. John has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Tennessee since 1987 and in April 2021 he became a Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA), Tennessee Society of CPAs (TSCPA), Association of Government Accountants (AGA) and the TN Government Finance Officers Association (TGFOA). |
 | Jon Walden, Interim Executive Director226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 jon.walden@tennessee.edu Jon Walden, Interim Executive Director, has been with CTAS since October 1993. He was named Interim Executive Director on May 1, 2020. Prior to joining CTAS, he was a Programmer Analyst with Columbia State Community College. Jon holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Tennessee State University and a master of arts in leadership and public service from Lipscomb University. |
 | Kaley Walker, County Government Consultant1610 University Ave Knoxville, TN 37921 (865) 898-9321 kaley.walker@tennessee.edu Kaley Walker joined CTAS on November 1, 2017, as our Region 2 County Government Consultant, serving southern East Tennessee. Prior to joining CTAS, Kaley was the Rhea County Finance Director. Kaley is a Certified Government Financial Manager and a graduate of Leadership Roane County and the Naifeh Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Michigan State University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Walsh College. |
 | Kerry Watkins, Budget & Finance Consultant226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd., Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 kerry.watkins@tennessee.edu Kerry Watkins, Budget & Finance Consultant, joined CTAS in June 2021. Kerry is a native Memphian. A graduate of Memphis State University with a bachelor's degree in finance. His accounting experience spans over a number of years, but most notable the past 25 years have been spent in governmental accounting working with Memphis City Schools/Shelby County Schools for 20 years and 5 years with the City of Memphis. In the last few years of Kerry's role with the school systems, he was responsible for leading the accounting function for the division of Nutrition Services. These duties included but were not limited to coordinating month end and year end close, working with external auditors, filing a monthly federal claim for reimbursement with the state of TN Dept of Education and preparing a yearly budget totaling $60m to $70m. His position as CIP Senior Financial Analyst with the City of Memphis allowed him the opportunity to assist in developing and monitoring an $88m budget for the city’s capital improvement program. Kerry has a love for stage acting and is currently a part of Ettaro Theatre group in Memphis. |
 | Karisma Williams, Operations & Customer Service Specialist226 Anne Dallas Dudley Blvd Suite 400 Nashville, TN 37219 (615) 532-3555 karisma.williams@tennessee.edu Karisma Williams, CPTM, Operations & Customer Service Specialist, joined CTAS in February 2019. Prior to joining CTAS, Karisma worked as the CTAS Administrative Intern assisting the Tennessee County Services Association office. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Management from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master of Public Administration Management degree from Arkansas State University. In 2021, Karisma earned the designation of Certified Professional in Training Management (CPTM). |