Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Commissioner David W. Purkey and Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Dereck Stewart announced command staff promotions and restructuring within the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The announcement will strengthen the leadership and operations of the THP moving forward, officials said.
“Commissioner has approved my plan and we’re proud to announce these promotions and lateral moves,” said Colonel Stewart. “This is a strong move forward and I am pleased with the course we are taking to further build the THP and expand on our operations across the state.”
Lieutenant Colonel Tony Barham will serve in the colonel’s office in the capacity of chief of staff for the Tennessee Highway Patrol and will be in charge of the day-to-day operations in the absence of Colonel Stewart. He will also serve as the primary policy advisor to the colonel.
The reclassification of the chief of staff position left two lieutenant colonel positions vacant. Major James “Jim” Hutcherson was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the Field Operations Bureau. "He is a 32-year veteran who is very knowledgeable in the area of predictive analytics and well equipped to keep the field operations functioning at a high level," officials said. With Lieutenant Colonel Hutcherson’s promotion, Major Matt Perry laterally transferred to the adjutant position in the Field Operations West Bureau.
Major Mark Proctor was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the Administrative Support Bureau. He is a 20-year veteran of the THP and will manage the diverse responsibilities of this bureau. This promotion created a vacancy that was filled by laterally transferring Major Michael Hamilton to lead the Protective Services Division. Captain Robert T. Johnson was promoted to major of the Administrative Support Bureau and will serve as the adjutant of the Bureau.
With Major Johnson’s promotion, Captain Steven Lowery laterally transferred to lead the Special Operations and Aviation Unit. "Captain Lowery served admirably as the leader of the Training Center," officials said. Captain Lowery’s transfer creates a vacancy in the Training Division. That position will be filled through a competitive promotional interview process.