Melissa Peagler New Town Administrator of Dandridge

Melissa Peagler, Dandridge Town Administrator – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

The Town of Dandridge has a new face at the helm, as Melissa Peagler closes out her first week as Dandridge Town Administrator. Peagler, who spent a decade in Morristown as a Senior Planner, is a Jefferson County native who grew up in the New Market area. She said that the move to Dandridge is like coming home again and she is pleased to be a part of the Town. Though she is barely a week in office, Melissa has spent much of her time familiarizing herself with the current Town structure and visiting individual departments. She is getting an overview of what is working well and where there could be improvement through one on one time with department heads. After assimilating the information, she will present a summary to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. One of the goals that Peagler has set early is to work with elected officials to establish a vision and plan for the Town. Though her time at post has been slight, Melissa is already facing some challenges and potential significant changes to the Town in the form of revitalization letter requests from developers and a possible brewery. She is taking it all in stride and knows from experience that it is all a part of public administration. Beyond her professional accomplishments with the City of Morristown, Peagler is a published author who has a series of books that are set in Jefferson County. She is looking forward to what 2014 will bring for the Town and is pleased to have such a competent staff to work with, as they move into a new era of Administration in Dandridge.