MSCS superintendent Marie Feagins announces transition team full of Memphis leaders. See who's on it

On April 11, Marie Feagins, Ed.D., the new superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, announced the initial members of her transition team.

Now, she’s unveiled the full lineup, and it includes more than 60 people from a wide variety of sectors. The group is expected to help her create and execute the district’s next strategic plan.

“It is important for me to hit the ground running and see results fast where possible,” Feagins said in a press release. “I know my vision is strong and will yield positive outcomes. But the ‘how’ is equally important to the ‘what.’ These seasoned educators, students, and community and business leaders will share their journeys and provide sharp recommendations for solutions.”

The co-chairs of the transition team are Stefani Everson-Phillips, the director of external communications for MSCS, and JB Smiley, Jr., an attorney and chairman of the Memphis City Council. They lead a group focused on five areas: student achievement, business operations, strategic communications and partnerships, next-level readiness, and inclusive excellence.

Here’s a breakdown of who’s on the transition team, and which area they’re helping with:

Student Achievement

• Co-Chair: Dr. Angela Whitelaw ― Deputy Superintendent, MSCS

• Co-Chair:Dr. Cynthia Alexander Mitchell ― Faculty Assembly Vice-President, Christian Brothers University

• Dr. Melissa Collins ― 2022-23 Tennessee Teacher of the Year, John P. Freeman K-8

• Jana Swearengen-Washington ― Memphis City Council, former educator

• Michael Whaley ― Shelby County Commissioner, former teacher

• Mallory Johnson Beard ― Teacher, Riverwood Elementary

• Dr. Pamela McKinley ― Principal, East High School

• Jerry Chappell ― PLC Coach, Cordova High School

• Danette Stokes ― President, United Education Association

• Jenena Sweezer ― Professional School Counselor, Medical District High School

• Dr. Bradley Breeden ― Principal, White Station Elementary

• Lauraetta Lockridge ― Teacher, Central High School

Business Operations

• Co-Chair: Tito Langston ― Chief Financial Officer, MSCS

• Co-Chair: Toney Armstrong ― Former Chief of Police, Memphis Police Department

• Chance Carlisle ― Carlisle Corp, Memphis Tomorrow

• Patrice Jordan Robinson ― Board of Directors, Tennessee Valley Authority

• Tyrone Burroughs ― CEO and President, First Choice Sale

• Michelle Stuart ― Director of Facilities, MSCS

• Kandace Stewart ― Sr. Director of External Affairs & Business Operations, Memphis Grizzlies

• Hendrell Remus ― Former Director of Risk Management, Tennessee State University

• Gina Sweat ― Fire Chief, City of Memphis Fire Department

• Mick Wright ― Shelby County Commissioner

• Sgt. Antoine Sherman ― Supervisor of Special Events, MSCS Safety and Security

• Jenikka Oglesby ― Deputy Chief of Human Resources, MSCS

• William “Billy” Orgel ― CEO and President, Tower Ventures; Former School Board Chair

• Trevia Chatman ― President, Bank of America Memphis

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Strategic Communications & Partnerships

• Co-Chair: Julian Cross ― Internal Communications Specialist, MSCS

• Co-Chair: Danielle Inez ― Director of Innovation & Performance Analysis, Shelby County Government

• Reverend Keith Norman ― Vice President of Government Affairs, Baptist Memorial Healthcare Corporation

• Dr. Lori Phillips ― Chief of Student, Family, and Community Affairs, MSCS

• Kerri Campbell ― Director of Community Relations, Rhodes College

• Leigh Mansberg ― CEO and President, Junior Achievement

• David Jordan ― CEO and President, Agape Child and Family Services

• Brian McLaughlin ― Chief Operations Officer, YMCA

• JB Smiley, Jr. ― Attorney, Smiley & Associates; Chairman, Memphis City Council

• Meredith Pierce ― Director of Internal Communications, MSCS

• Shante K. Avant ― CEO and President, Women’s Foundation for a Greater Memphis

• Willie Gregory ― Sr. Director of Community Relations–Mid-South, Nike

Next-Level Readiness

• Co-Chair:Philip Dotson ― Partnership Director, College, Career, & Technical Education, MSCS

• Co-Chair: Kesha Cohran-Ivy ― Chief Academic Officer, Junior Achievement

• Joseph Parker ― MSCS Parent; Talent Acquisition–MLGW

• Johnette Blanton ― Professional School Counselor, White Station Middle

• Bobby White ― Memphis Chamber of Commerce

• Dr. Christopher Davis ― Interim President, LeMoyne-Owen College

• Dr. Anntriniece Napper ― President, Memphis-Shelby County Education Association

• Miska Clay Bibbs ― Chairwoman, Shelby County Board of Commissioners; Former administrator and School Board Chair

• Jennifer Shiberou ― Fine Arts Advisor, MSCS

• Dr. Vincent Hunter ― Principal, Whitehaven High School

• Aiesha St. Ann ― Professional School Counselor, Dexter K-8

• Jerry Johnson ― Chief Financial Officer, Moore Tech

Inclusive Excellence

• Co-Chair: Dr. Erin Luster ― Sr. Manager Partnership Accountability, MSCS

• Co-Chair: Eddie Koen ― President, Institute for Educational Leadership

• Monica Newport ― Chief of Staff, Latino Memphis

• Anthony Buckner ― Chief Deputy, Shelby County Sheriff's Office, Hope Academy

• Teresa Sloyan ― President, Hyde Family Foundation

• Stephanie Jamison ― Professional School Counselor, Willow Oaks Elementary

• Khalilah Horton-Spencer ― MICAH, Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope

• Dr. Patrick Washington ― Founder/CEO, Man Up Teacher Fellowship

• Sarah Carpenter ― Executive Director, Memphis Lift

• Gabriela Toro ― Principal, Newcomer International Center

• Brian Harris ― Special Assistant to the Mayor, City of Memphis

• Jasmine Worles ― Chief of Staff, MSCS

Council of Great City Schools

Feagins has also partnered with the Council of the Great City Schools, a coalition of 78 of the country’s largest public school systems dedicated to improving education for children in inner cities. And three of its top staffers are serving on the transition team:

• Michael Hinojosa, Ed.D., CGCS’ superintendent-in-residence, spent more than 27 years as a superintendent and CEO of six public school systems. Two of these ― the Dallas Independent School District and Cobb County School District ― are among the largest in the U.S.

• Ray Hart, Ph.D., the executive director of CGCS, has more than 30 years of experience in research and evaluation. His past clients have included federal agencies like the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of State, and the National Science Foundation. He’s also worked with various state and local education departments.

• Michael Casserly, Ph.D., a strategic advisor to CGCS who was its executive director from 1992 to 2021.

John Klyce covers education and children’s issues for The Commercial Appeal. You can reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MSCS superintendent's transition team full of Memphis leaders