Connie Atkins has been named assistant superintendent for human resources at the Hamilton County Schools, and Marvin Lott has been named director of recruitment.
Mrs. Atkins, whose position becomes effective July 12, will manage personnel operations for more than 6,000 employees. The school system is the largest employer in Hamilton County.
With more than 15 years of human resources management experience, Mrs. Atkins most recently served as a project consultant for Memorial Hospital through the Catholic Health Initiatives based in Denver, Co. CHI is a national, non-profit corporation that includes 117 healthcare organizations in 19 states. Mrs. Atkins joined CHI in 1996.
“Mrs. Atkins is a proven leader in the HR field and she’ll bring a wealth of knowledge from the private sector that will compliment the way we do business in Hamilton County,” Supt. Jesse Register said.
“I am impressed with her leadership style, business savvy and service-oriented background. Her diverse skills will be a perfect fit for our principals, teachers and current personnel staff,” he said.
During her extensive professional career, Ms. Atkins has served as a human resources executive director, project director, coordinator and manager for several manufacturing, retail, financial and healthcare companies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama-Huntsville and a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.
Ms. Atkins replaces Michele Snipes as the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources. Ms. Snipes left the district in May to work in private business.
With more than 30 years of experience as an educator, Dr. Lott was principal at Brainerd High before being named director of secondary interventions for comprehensive school reform last September. In this grant-funded position, he provided additional leadership support and guided instructional programming at 13 secondary schools placed “on-notice” by the Tennessee Department of Education.
As director of recruitment, Dr. Lott will manage teacher recruitment efforts, staffing at selected high schools, new teacher support programs and minority affairs. He is replacing Joyce Hardaway, who is retiring June 30. He will assume his new duties immediately, working alongside Dr. Hardaway until she retires.
“Quality teacher recruitment and retention is a priority for our school system,” Dr. Register said. “Every young person deserves to have a caring, capable teacher standing before them in the classroom. Under Dr. Lott’s leadership, I have every confidence we will continue to make strides in this area.”
A veteran educator who began his professional career In Walton County, Ga., Dr. Lott joined the county schools more than 20 years ago. He has served as a teacher, band director, coach, assistant principal and principal at both the elementary and middle school levels.
Dr. Lott received a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga; an education specialist degree from the University of Alabama; a doctoral degree from Tennessee State University; and a master’s degree in Bible ministry from Covington Seminary.