Amy Brooks has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Knoxville-Knox County Planning by Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon and Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs.
Brooks, who has been with the department for more than 14 years, has been serving as Interim Executive Director since July 2020.
“Amy is an expert in her field and has led flawlessly throughout a tough year,” Mayor Kincannon said. “Land use and place-making is such an important part of what we do to improve the health, equity and resilience of our City. I am confident that Amy will help us make great strides towards smart, sustainable growth in Knoxville.”
“It’s a tough job to direct an organization like this because you’re looking at two different sets of ordinances and zoning maps between the city and the county,” said Mayor Jacobs. “Amy does a great job educating planning commissioners and finding a middle ground and has been creative with how she keeps constituents involved in the process during the pandemic.”
Brooks has been with Planning since 2007 and most recently managed an interdisciplinary team responsible for development review, addressing, customer service, plat review, rezonings, long-range planning, design review and Planning Commission support.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role,” Brooks said. “I am passionate about the work we do every day and am eager to continue making a positive impact on our community.”
Brooks is a member of the American Institute for Certified Planners, a nationally Certified Public Manager, a graduate of East Tennessee Regional Leadership and is currently serving as treasurer for the Tennessee chapter of the American Planning Association.
Brooks earned a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning with an emphasis on transportation and land use planning from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Environmental Studies and Political Science from Maryville College.
