Candy Johnson
Candy Johnson, wife of Hamilton County School Supt. Bryan Johnson, will be paid $90,000 per year as an aide to Mayor Andy Berke.
The mayor's office said, "Candy Johnson joined the city of Chattanooga staff on Friday, May 24, as a senior advisor to Mayor Andy Berke. This is an appointed role most recently held by James McKissic, who departed the city at the end of 2018.
"As Senior Advisor, Ms.
Johnson will serve as a member of the mayor’s senior staff and top management planning and decision team. She will oversee a number of the mayor’s initiatives and serve as a principal liaison between the City’s volunteers and professional leadership groups and the mayor.
"She has a decade of experience developing policy with both the public and private sectors, and has served on national platforms promoting workforce and talent pipeline development for organizations such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Ford Hub Next Generation Learning. As a seasoned strategist, Ms. Johnson provided practical insights to local, regional and national organizations, aiding in clients overall success and was the youngest member ever elected to Clarksville, Tn., City Council.
"Before relocating to Chattanooga, Ms. Johnson served as the policy director for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, where she contributed to successful outcomes at both the state and local levels.
"Since moving to Chattanooga, Ms. Johnson has worked with dozens of nonprofits and serves on local boards such as the YMCA – YCAP, Erlanger Foundation and the Tennessee Aquarium."
Ms. Johnson has operated her own consulting firm for non-profit organization management beginning in May 2017.
Ms. Johnson also worked six years in foundation, corporate and community relations at the Clarksville Montgomery County School system.
Ms. Johnson graduated from Austin Peay University and received a masters in public administration from Murray State University.