Crowther New Director of Jefferson County E911
E-911 Board Meeting, Thursday, February 7, 2013 – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew
The Jefferson County E-911 Board held a meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2013 in which they accepted the resignation of E-911 Director Marcus Reed. During the meeting Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri presented the resignation letter to the Board and expressed his gratitude for the more than seven years of service that Reed has spent at the helm of E-911. He said that Director Reed has been dedicated to Jefferson County and been instrumental in making the department strong by good personnel choices and providing direction for the staff, as well as diligently working to help make the Emergency Combination Building a reality and the transition a success. Board members concurred with Mayor Palmieri and reluctantly accepted Reed’s resignation, wishing him well in his retirement. Director Reed addressed the Board regarding his replacement and recommended E-911 Deputy Director Justin Crowther for the Director position. After a unanimous vote to set aside the rules in order to discuss the placement of the position, Board Member Tom Maursetter made a motion to accept the recommendation of Reed and place Crowther as Director of Jefferson County E-911 (with current Director salary). His motion was 2nd by Board Member Billy John Cureton and was unanimously approved.
Crowther has served as Jefferson County E-911 Deputy Director since 2004. He is also a Reserve Deputy with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (2005-Present) and prior to that with the Dandridge Police Department and Knox County Sheriff’s Office. Crowther holds an Associate of Applied Science, Public Safety/Law Enforcement from Walters State Community College and Continuing Education at APCO Institute, Inc. (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials), as well as a graduate of the Basic Law Enforcement Academy of Buncombe Technical College. Crowther also has specialist training in 27 areas including grant writing, communications center supervisor instructor and emergency medical dispatcher instructor.
The E-911 Board Members stated that promoting from within the Department should provide a smooth transition and allows current employees the opportunity to advance in the Department. Crowther stated that he does not currently have a candidate for the Deputy Director position, which will be vacant when he moves into the Director position, however he considers the staff in the Department to be strong and knows that Director Reed has set the bar high with his leadership in E-911.
