The Institute for Public Services (IPS) embarked on a strategic planning process that involved three planning retreats and four listening sessions across the state. The results of these meetings shaped the new strategic plan that will guide IPS and its agencies.
More than 300 IPS employees and stakeholders attended listening sessions and contributed their insights on various questions.
After collecting data, the steering committee organized and analyzed it to chart the course for IPS over the next five years. These goals serve as the road map to take the institute and its agencies into the future. The goals are:
- Funding to meet expanding customer needs by 2022
- Best-in-class customer-focused education and technical assistance
- A diverse and highly skilled workforce that embodies the values of integrity, accountability and professionalism
- Communicating the impact, value and story of IPS
CIS Matches Suppliers, Buyers
A collaboration of the Center for Industrial Services (CIS), the Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has created the Meet Your Match Tennessee program. It’s a speed-dating approach for parts manufacturers to meet one-on-one with original equipment manufacturers and tier-one suppliers in 15- to 20-minute rounds.
The program puts second- and third-tier parts and materials companies in front of prospective buyers from tier-one suppliers and the purchasing departments of Nissan North America in Nashville and the Volkswagen Group of America in Chattanooga.
“We had about 60 suppliers and eight buyers at a Nashville event resulting in more than 100 face-to-face meetings between buyers and suppliers,” says CIS Executive Director Paul Jennings.
Thomas Retires
After almost six years with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), Executive Director Jim Thomas retired at the end of June.
Thomas came to MTAS in 2011 as assistant director and took over as director in 2012 after an 18-year career with the city of Goodlettsville, Tennessee. At the Tennessee Municipal League’s annual conference in June, Thomas was honored for outstanding public service.
