Senator Bo Watson presented Dr. David Edwards with a joint Senate resolution recognizing him for 30 years of service as City Manager of Lakesite. Dr. Edwards took the job in February 1992 and is one of the most experienced city managers in the state, Senator Watson said. Although her official retirement date is December 2021, Dr Edwards continued her responsibilities until Kirsten Ert accepted the position in May.

In addition to being a city manager, Dr. Edwards is an accomplished teacher whose areas of specialization have included public administration, state and local government, organizational theory and behavior, nonprofit management, and human resources management in public bodies. He has held several academic positions at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, including assistant professor of political science, associate professor of political science at the University of Chattanooga Foundation, Dalton Roberts professor of public administration, and coordinator of the master’s program. in public administration.

Recognized for his achievements in both academia and public service, Dr. Edwards is a Certified Municipal Financial Officer and a founding board member of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration. He has served as a consultant to the Fairfield Glade Incorporation Committee and the Cleveland/Bradley County Local Government Study Committee.

Dr. Edwards has served as a board member of the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, Treasurer of the East Tennessee Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, consultant to Richard Ottaway , Member of the British Parliament, on the mayoralty of London, and representative of the program of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. He is also a member of the American Society for Public Administration, the International City Managers Association, the Tennessee City Managers Association, the Western Social Sciences Association and the Government Finance Officers Association.

While serving as city manager, “Dr. Edward’s commitment to fiscal responsibility helped ensure Lakesite’s tax rate remained one of the lowest in the state,” officials said.

Lakesite Mayor David Howell said: “Lakesite has been extremely fortunate to have had an excellent city manager for the past 30 years leading our town in the person of Dr. David Edwards. He fundamentally changed Lakesite for the good and his impact will be felt forever. I have personally been blessed to work alongside him for the past 14 years and it is with a heavy but grateful heart that I wish him an amazing retirement and will forever call him a friend.