TN-ASPA | Tennessee Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration
Promoting Excellence in Public Service in Middle Tennessee
TN-ASPA
Photo with Bill Haslam
Executive council
Shiri Anderson
President
Shiri Anderson is the Higher Education Resource Officer for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. Shiri responds to questions and provides support and information to faculty, staff and employees of the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Board of Regents systems. Shiri also reviews and evaluates higher education policy for the Tennessee General Assembly. Shiri has extensive legislative and policy experience in state government. She joined the Comptroller’s Office in 2011 as a Legislative Research Analyst in the Office of Research and Education Accountability. She has managed the Comptroller’s fiscal note support process and represented the Comptroller on the Board of Trustees for the Baccalaureate Education System Trust and Board of Trustees for the Chairs of Excellence. She became the Higher Education Resource Officer in 2016. Prior to joining the Comptroller’s Office, Shiri was the Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority and was responsible for spearheading the state’s first 2-1-1 Advisory Council. She has also worked for the Tennessee Governor’s Office and served as an Executive Assistant in the Tennessee General Assembly. Shiri holds a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor of Science in Public Management and Political Science from Austin Peay State University. She is an active member of the American Society for Public Administration, Conference of Minority Public Administrators, Association of Budgeting and Financial Management, and Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. Shiri is on the Board of Directors for the Mayme Carmichael School Organization, Inc., and serves on the Parent Advisory Council for Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. Shiri enjoys spending time with her family; her husband Micheal and their three children: Jalyn, Micheal and McKenzie.
Nneka Norman-Gordon
President-Elect
Nneka Norman-Gordon is a Talent Management Specialist with Department of Human Services and assists with DHS efforts regarding the attraction, recruitment, selection, development, retention and engagement of its employees. Specific strategies and interventions implemented by Talent Management to support the organization in improved productivity and quality outcomes includes employee turnover, relevant data and analytics, employee engagement survey results, goals and implementation, Career Individual Development Planning, performance management, succession and workforce planning, and professional and leadership development. Previously she was Director of Operations for the Public Information and Legislative Office and was responsible for overseeing the Department’s Customer Service Unit which was responsible for assisting customers, legislators and the general public with concerns relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, Child Care, Child Support and Adult Protective Services and assisting with lobbying the Department’s legislation. In 2013, she became Tennessee’s first Higher Education Resource Officer and was responsible for answering questions and providing support and information to faculty, staff and employees of the University of Tennessee system and the Tennessee Board of Regents system. Nneka also reviewed higher education policy for the Tennessee General Assembly. Nneka joined the Comptroller’s Office in 2005 as a Legislative Research Analyst for the Offices of Research and Education Accountability and has produced several publications analyzing various topics such as pre-kindergarten programs in Tennessee, Tennessee’s higher education initiatives for veterans and Tennessee’s graduated driver licensing laws and served on the Comptroller’s legislative team for four years. She previously served in the former Tennessee Department of Personnel (now Department of Human Resources) as an examinations analyst. Nneka is a former United States Navy officer. She holds a M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Austin Peay State University, and a B.A. in Psychology from Hampton University in Virginia.
Leah Dupree
Immediate-Past President
Born in Jackson, Tennessee, Leah received an undergraduate degree from Tennessee State University, a Masters in Business Administration from Valparaiso University, and law degree from Indiana University – McKinney. She is a former Legislative Intern for the Tennessee General Assembly, Discretionary Grant Reviewer for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Law Clerk for the Indiana Attorney General’s Office, and Eligibility Coordinator for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Since 2013, Leah has been the Legislative Liaison for the Tennessee Department of General Services and responsible for legislation and constituent services for the Department. Prior to moving to the Executive Branch, she served in the Legislative Branch as a Senate Legislative Aide.
Leah serves as Chair of the YMCA of Middle Tennessee Black Achievers Advisory Board and served as TN-ASPA President for 2016-2017.
Ms. Dupree is a member of the American Bar Association, National Bar Association, Napier Looby Bar Association, Tennessee State University Alumni Association, Valparaiso University Alumni Association, Indiana University Alumni Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., NAACP, Women in Numbers (WIN), and The Links, Incorporated. Leah is a member of Lee Chapel AME Church.
Rodney Stanley
Treasurer
Dr. Stanley has published various articles in the area of lottery gaming, research methods and statistical modeling. His latest research endeavors will be examining local school board governance issues and the impact of merit-based scholarships on higher education in Tennessee. A few of Dr. Stanley’s publications have appeared in the following journals: Review of Policy Research, Journal of College Admission, Public Administration Quarterly, The International Journal of Organization Theory, Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management, Chicago Policy Review, and the International Journal of Public Administration. Dr. Stanley was also granted the privilege of writing Lt. Governor John S. Wilder’s political biography published by University Press of America, in 2007. He currently serves as the Department Chair for Public Administration in the College of Public Service & Urban Affairs.
Kathleen Williams
Secretary
Marsheka Dunn
Communications Manager
Kathleen Williams has been nominated for the secretary position. Her plans are to join ASPA in January of 2018, before taking the role as a secretary for ASPA. Kathleen attended Northwestern Business College. To enhance her administrative skills further, she took some courses at Apollo Career Center. Kathleen has had the opportunity to work in the non-profit work force where she worked with United Way for a year in the state of Ohio. Learning the functions of United Way of Greater Ohio, she was given the opportunity to visit the many agencies that benefited from the allocations, which was raised by United Way fund drives.
Kathleen holds the position of the Administrative Secretary at the Office of State Assessed Properties. Kathleen is also heading up the office in reducing the amount of records they keep.
Marsheka Dunn is the Communications Manager of the American Society for Public Administration. With a strong commitment and dedication to the American Society for Public Administration, Marsheka currently works for the Department of Human Services. In her role at the Department she contributes to the Department’s productivity goal and promotes self-sufficiency in order to improve the lives of Tennesseans. Apart from improving the lives of Tennesseans, she is also Citizens Plaza’s 14th floor’s champion for Health and Wellness, Employee Engagement, Career Individual Development, and Talent Focus. Her educational background includes a M.Ed in Higher Educational Administration and Supervision from Middle Tennessee State University, a B.A. in Foreign Language and Literature with a concentration in Spanish from the University of Memphis, and she is currently working towards a graduate certificate in Public Policy at Tennessee State University. Marsheka enjoys dancing bachata, cha cha, merengue, and salsa and spending time with her husband, Jesus and son, Calixto.
Brittney Anthony
Council Member
Brittney Michelle Anthony serves as Executive Legislative Aide in the Tennessee General Assembly. She holds a Master of Arts in Corporate Communication from Austin Peay State University and a B.A. in Communication Studies from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Brittney currently serves on the Tennessee American Society for Public Administration (TN-ASPA) Executive Council.
As a legislative staff member, Brittney is able to combine her passion for serving others with her deep ties to the Knoxville community to help her better address constituent issues, while her background in communications allows her to effectively put forward a message for their office.
A native of Knoxville, Tennessee, Brittney currently resides in Nashville where her hobbies include reading, volunteering and spending quality time with friends and family. She has also been known to shop on occasion. Her motto is: if you aren’t learning, you aren’t growing; if you aren’t growing, you aren’t living, and if you aren’t living, well… you know the rest! ​
Roark Brown
Council Member
Roark Brown currently serves as a Legislative Budget Analyst in the Tennessee General Assembly. Born and raised in Jamaica, Roark served six years in the United States Army and completed one tour in Kuwait. Roark attained a Master’s degree in Management and Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, both from Austin Peay State University. He is an active member of the Clarksville Soccer Club, Rossview High School Teachers/ Parent Association and Vice-Chair of the TN-ASPA’s Section on Veterans and Military Affairs Administration.
Victoria Calvin
Council Member
Victoria Calvin is a native of Nashville and serves as a council member for ASPA. Victoria has her bachelor’s in Social Work from Middle Tennessee State University. Victoria started working for the state shortly after undergrad as a case manager for the department of children’s services. It was there when Victoria discovered her passion for government policy, data, and bettering processes for children and families. Victoria continued her education at Tennessee State University where she received her masters of Public Administration. Victoria has worked in the program area of Child Protective service and Continuous Quality Improvement. Victoria now works in the office of Juvenile Justice as a program coordinator where she analyzes data and works with those team members to revise data to ensure conformity and quality data.
Victoria is not just a worker of the state, but a member of the community where she volunteers with the inner city ministry, is a mentor for Tennessee Promise, and is a volunteer coach for the YMCA. Victoria not only believes in quality public service, but as well as giving back to the community.
Victoria is the proud mother of a 4 year old boy and enjoys family time, reading, church activities, and working out in her free time.
Tyler Carpenter
Council Member
Tyler Carpenter is a Research Associate for the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR), where he conducts public policy research and analysis and works with government leaders at the state and local level to inform decision making. In 2016, Tyler authored a report as lead researcher title Tennessee's Homestead Exemptions: Adjusting Them to Reflect the Cost of Living. He has also co-author and provided support for several other reports. Tyler earned his Master of Public Administration (MPA) at Tennessee State University and his Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management from Trevecca Nazarene University.
Donna Duarte
Council Member
Donna is the Director of Multifamily Programs with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency. Donna directs the Low-Income Housing Credit and Multifamily Tax-Exempt Bond programs for the Agency. She works with multifamily housing providers, and program participants to preserve and expand the affordable housing stock in Tennessee. Prior to joining THDA in 1995, Donna worked with the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Donna received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from High Point University and she is a candidate for the Masters of Public Administration from Tennessee State University with a concentration in Public Policy.
Kelsie Nicholson
Council Member
Kelsie Nicholson was born and raised in the south part of Memphis, TN. She holds a diploma from the first charter school in the state of Tennessee, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering. Inspired to better and further her future and education, she's currently enrolled at Tennessee State University where she's a candidate for the bachelors of Health Information Management. Kelsie is passionate about positive change, finding and providing opportunities for youth and young adults, and creating a foundation that will stand strong for many lifetimes. Kelsie says, "I want to inspire more than just the person in the mirror and that flame that burns and thrives for change inside of me is willing to do just that". In her free time, Kelsie enjoys spending time with family and relaxing in peaceful environments.
Zelinka Randle
Council Member
Zelinka Randle attended the University of Tennessee, Martin for Business and Free Enterprise. She has served the state of Tennessee for over 15 years currently with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency helping to lead Tennesseans home within Rental Housing Programs and formerly with the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and prior, the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Zelinka is a mentor for Tennessee Promise; member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals; member of Toastmasters International currently serving as Vice President of Education for the James K. Polk Toastmasters Club; and is a member of TN-ASPA.
Zelinka shares her love for community with her husband, Larry. They have five daughters.
Allyson Sneed
Council Member
Allyson Sneed is a native of rural Western Kentucky, but has made Nashville home for the past twenty years. She has over 15 years of legislative and policy experience working for the Tennessee House of Representatives as an Executive Legislative Assistant. In her legislative capacity, Allyson researches legislation and solves constituent issues for nine mayors and local officials within rural West Tennessee. Allyson’s experience bodes well as she was a legislative assistant for the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee for four years.
She has served as President of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Staff Organization for the past four years; coordinating their annual legislative conference each year. She is an active member of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Research, Editorial, Legal and Committee Staff (RELACS) Association. Since 2015, she has served as a Tennessee delegate to the National Urban Ag Academy in Des Moines, Iowa. She has also worked with the Foundation for Excellence in Education’s National Summit on Education Reform. She is an active member of ASPA and sits on the Sections for Women in Public Administration, Professional & Organizational Development and on Public Law & Administration.
Allyson’s passion and desire to help those in need led to her appointment to the Take One Initiative (West TN Steering Committee Chair) a faith-based and non-profit organization that seeks to have individual organizations mentor just one offender/returning citizen for 1 year after their release. Allyson holds a bachelor’s degree from Belmont University and enjoys traveling.
Debbie Tilley
Council Member
Debbie Tilley is the Office Support Coordinator for the Office of State Assessed Properties. During her time with the state she has obtained her CAP-OM certification through International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), she attended college and received her Associate Degree at Nashville State and graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. She is driven by her passion to help those around her and she takes pride in providing the best support possible She is a member of IAAP and is also a member of the North Cheatham Civitan.
Debbie has over 30 years’ experience in the administration field along with a high level of professionalism. She graduated from a small town in Eastern Kentucky and after her graduation she went to work with an accounting firm as a receptionist/secretary and worked with that firm for 14 years. In 1998 she was offered a position to work for the State of Tennessee. She has now been an employee with state government for 19 years. Her first job was as an Account Tech for the Department of Safety. She was only there for 8 months, at which time she transferred to the Comptroller’s Office with the Office of State Assessed Properties. She was the Executive Secretary with them for 17 years. She was then assigned as the Office Support Coordinator and has been in this position for the past 2 years.
Debbie is eager to continue her education enabling her to keep her certification. As a member of the North Cheatham Civitan she enjoys volunteering to help in community events, activities and fund raisers. In her free time, she also enjoys the outdoors, gardening and spending time with her family.
Debbie currently resides in Pleasant View, TN with her husband Millard and her fur babies, Toby, Sheba, and Mackey.
Yanna Utley
Council Member
Yanna Utley is an Audit Support Specialist for the Comptroller of the Treasury’s Office of Local Government Audit. In this role, she monitors the continue professional education hours for the Certified Municipal Finance Officer program and assist in the publication of the annual financial and compliance audit for 90 Tennessee counties.
As a native of Clarksville, Tennessee, Yanna is known for her passion for people. She is very active in her local church, Amazing Grace Apostolic Church, Inc., where they participate in various community outreach events. She is an officer of the Christian Education Association of the First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee.
In her spare time, she loves crafting, spending quality time with her husband, Michael, family and friends and most of all making people laugh.
Yanna is currently working toward her degree in accounting at Nashville State.