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 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.

Chanel Hippix
Senior Community Transportation Planner
Email: chanel.hippix@tn.gov

Chanel focuses on multi-agency coordination in regional transportation planning efforts in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia. She has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Studies with a Graduate Certificate in Transportation Studies from the University of Iowa and a background in sustainability and transportation planning. She co-created an APA award-winning plan, Iowa City Automated Vehicle Adaptation and Equity Plan, which drew on the importance of equitable transportation options with a growing number of possibilities. Chanel is an outdoor enthusiast and has a passion for creating built environments that invite people outdoors.

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.   

Vacant
Community Transportation Planner Supervisor
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Vacant
Senior Community Transportation Planner
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Herman Wright
Community Transportation Planner
Phone: 615.585.8879
Email: Herman.Wright@tn.gov

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

Thiera Taylor, originally from St. Thomas, USVI, embarked on her educational journey at the University of the Virgin Islands and later transferred to Alabama A&M University. There, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and her Master's in Urban and Regional Planning, specializing in Transportation Planning. Her career journey has included diverse experiences, including two years in the banking sector with a federal credit union and a role as a research assistant in the Urban and Regional Planning department at her university. In addition to her professional experiences, Thiera has been an active member of her community, generously dedicating her time to volunteer work with various community organizations. Her commitment to positively impacting the community is evident in her dedication to these causes. Presently, she serves as a Transportation Planning Specialist at TDOT, where she applies her educational background and hands-on experience to contribute to the planning and development of transportation systems for her community. 

Vacant
Planning Specialist
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