OCT Staff Contacts

Troy Ebbert
Community Transportation Planning Supervisor
Phone: 865.594.2662
Email: Troy.J.Ebbert@tn.gov

Troy came to TDOT from the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization where he served as the MPO Coordinator for almost four years. Prior to transportation planning, he served 7 years for the State Local Planning Assistance Office, the First Tennessee Development District, and Washington County TN as a Principal Land Use Planner. Troy is a graduate of East Tennessee State University where he works closely with developing new planners through their internship programs. He also serves as the Director for the State of Franklin section of the Tennessee American Planning Association. Troy enjoys camping with his wife Tabitha and three children. He also enjoys coaching his kid’s baseball and football teams. 

Michelle Christian
Senior Community Transportation Planner
Phone: 865.594.0211
Email: Michelle.A.Christian@tn.gov

Michelle is a graduate of East Tennessee State University with a BS in Geography and a Masters of Science in Geosciences with a concentration in Geospatial Analysis.  Prior to joining TDOT, Michelle interned for one year with the Kingsport Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO), completing two feasibility studies for the proposed Reedy Creek Trail and extensions to the Kingsport Greenbelt, providing geospatial analysis for grant applications, and creating web maps for the  MTPO and City of Kingsport.

Ronda Sawyer
Community Transportation Planner
Phone: 865.410.2861
Email: Ronda.J.Sawyer@tn.gov

Ronda received a Bachelor’s Degree in Geography with a minor in Urban Studies from East Tennessee State University followed by obtaining her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Planning.  Prior to joining TDOT, Ronda gained extensive knowledge and experience in the field of Land Use Planning working 16 years as a Principal Planner for the State of Tennessee Local Planning Assistance Office and later with the First Tennessee Development District Planning Office.  She is an active member of TAPA.

Bently Thomas
Community Transportation Planning Supervisor
Email: Bently.Thomas@tn.gov

Bently Thomas has over 16 years of planning experience, having served as Principal Planner for the State Local Planning Assistance Office,  City Administrator for the City of South Pittsburg and Director of Planning and Inspections for Bradley County, Tennessee.  Bently is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and a minor in English.  He also is a graduate of the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.  Bently also is a member of multiple professional organizations and holds multiple certifications related to planning.

Vacant
Senior Community Transportation Planner
Email: 

Kevin Layne
Community Transportation Planner 
Phone: 423.620.4391
Email: Kevin.Layne@tn.gov

Kevin is an East Tennessee native and graduate of Bryan College in Dayton, TN, he received his Master’s in Public Administration from Arkansas State. Before joining OCT, Kevin spent 5 years with TDOT’s Project Development team in the Right of Way Division. Prior to joining TDOT, Kevin worked as Probation/Parole Officer for the TN Department of Correction and a Construction Technician at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant in Dayton, TN.   

Jonathan Russell
Community Transportation Planner Supervisor
Phone: 615.532.3563
Email: Jonathan.Russell@tn.gov

Jonathan obtained a Master in City and Regional Planning from the Knowlton School of Architecture at Ohio State University. Prior to joining TDOT, Jonathan worked in land-use planning for the City of Dublin, OH, and for the Metro Nashville Parks & Recreation Department. Jonathan also spent five years as a public school teacher in Tennessee where he worked after receiving his undergraduate education from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Geosciences, concentrating in Geography/GIS, with a double minor in History and Political Science.  

Vacant
Senior Community Transportation Planner
Phone: 
Email: 

Vacant
Community Transportation Planner
Email:

Antoine Hawkins
Community Transportation Planner Supervisor
Phone: 901.208.0070
Email: Antoine.Hawkins@tn.gov

Antoine is a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, with a concentration in Transportation Planning. He also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Morehouse College. Prior to joining TDOT, Antoine worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation as a Transportation Specialist, where he managed the Small Urbanized Area Grant Program. He also worked for the City of Memphis as Municipal Planner, providing data analysis for the citywide comprehensive planning process. Antoine enjoys family and traveling. 

Ashley Owens
Senior Community Transportation Planner
Phone: 901.537.1174
Email: Ashley.Owens@tn.gov

Ashley joined the Division as a Planning Specialist within the Region IV Office of Community Transportation. She attended the University of Memphis where she obtained her Bachelors of Art in Criminal Justice and Criminology in 2014. Owens also holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Strategic Planning and Public Policy obtained from Walden University. Prior to joining TDOT, she lived in Wilmington, NC where she worked for the Department of Public Safety as a Probation and Parole Officer.  In addition to this, she also worked as a Strategic Planning and Budget Consultant for a Non – Profit Organization. Ashley is a native Memphian that enjoys theater and traveling.

Thiera Taylor
Community Transportation Planner 
Phone: 901.745.7113
Email: Thiera.Taylor@tn.gov

Antoine is a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, with a concentration in Transportation Planning. He also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Morehouse College. Prior to joining TDOT, Antoine worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation as a Transportation Specialist, where he managed the Small Urbanized Area Grant Program. He also worked for the City of Memphis as Municipal Planner, providing data analysis for the citywide comprehensive planning process. Antoine enjoys family and traveling. 

Jennifer Marshall
Planning Specialist
Phone: 615.532.7024                                                                                                                                                 Email: Jennifer.Marshall@tn.gov

Jennifer received her B.S. in Environmental Science from Rhodes College and holds both an M.S. in Earth Sciences with a concentration in Geography and a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis. Her graduate research focused on understanding the changes to the human geography of Shelby County, Tennessee during the recent recessions. Prior to TDOT, Jennifer interned with the Memphis Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and studied motor vehicle accidents involving bicycle and pedestrians throughout the region. Jennifer, a native Memphian, has joined the TDOT’s MPO team from OCT’s Region 4 team. She has experience in research and data analysis and has a growing interest in public policy. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys great meals, exploring urban landscapes and yoga.