Mayor Andy Berke announced Thursday that Jeff Cannon will replace Andrew Kean as chief operating officer (COO). In addition, Mr. Cannon will maintain his current responsibilities as chief innovation officer (CIO).
Mayor Berke said, “Over the last several months, we have reoriented City Hall to be relentlessly focused on results. Under Jeff’s leadership, I am confident we will expand our efforts to make City Hall more innovative and effective.
“Jeff has demonstrated a thorough knowledge of city government and will incorporate his expertise as chief innovation officer to lead each department towards greater efficiency, while making local government more open to citizens. Jeff has worked closely with each administrator, and I have no doubt he will take my vision for the community and translate it into results.”
As a dual COO/CIO, Mr. Cannon "will work closely with each department to ensure city functions are maximized for greater efficiency to provide better services for taxpayer dollars."
“I am honored to have the opportunity to work with such a talented group of individuals throughout the City,” said Jeff Cannon. “From the strong financial backgrounds of CFO Daisy Madison and Deputy COO Brent Goldberg to the long-time experience of Fire Chief Flint and Public Works Administrator Lee Norris, the dedication of our leadership team is truly inspiring. I look forward to working with each of them to improve services for our constituents.”
Prior to his appointment to the Berke administration, Mr. Cannon served as executive director of Green|Spaces and spent seven years in the construction industry, including five years as a project manager for EMJ, one of the Southeast’s largest construction management companies.
Working alongside Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprises (CNE), River City Company, Lyndhurst Foundation, the city of Chattanooga, and others, Mr. Cannon helped lead the revitalization of Southside - from the residential renewal of the Fort Negley and Jefferson Heights neighborhoods to the commercial transformation of Main Street, it was stated.
“Jeff showed excellent leadership through the formation and daily operations of Green|Spaces,” said John Straussberger, owner of The Strauss Company and founding chairman of Green|Spaces. “From the complex financial aspects of handling a multi-million dollar budget to the expert management of intricate projects with various stakeholders, I was consistently impressed with Jeff’s ability to turn the organization's vision into reality.”
Mr. Cannon is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Chattanooga and was chosen as a Marshall Memorial Fellow in 2009.
Mr. Kean will return to private business.