New Planner Joins Staff

Originally from just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, Michelle has had the opportunity to live in several US states and countries in her life.

Her family moved abroad when she was young, spending several years in Saudi Arabia and Singapore before returning to LA when she was in fifth grade. She’s lived in a handful of states since then, and first came to Tennessee in 1998 to attend the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and went to work for Gensler, a global design and architecture firm.

Michelle started her interior design work in Gensler’s Atlanta office. Her first assignment was in Biloxi, MS as part of the team that managed the renovation efforts of the MGM’s Beau Rivage Casino & Hotel, which had experienced severe damage from Hurricane Katrina. She describes this experience as one of the most memorable in her design career due to the extreme conditions.

Michelle eventually went back to school, attending Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA.  She graduated with a master’s degree in urban and regional planning and once again found her way to East Tennessee, landing a job working for the City of Maryville’s planning department.

She also helped staff the Downtown Design Review Board, the Historic Zoning Commission, and the Board of Zoning Appeals. That experience is already serving Michelle well in her position with Knoxville-Knox County Planning. Here she is mostly focused on rezonings, sector plans, and special studies. This well-rounded experience also prepared her for another professional experience. She recently passed the American Institute of Certified Planners exam, making her a member of AICP!  

We’re thrilled that she has joined our staff and are looking forward to the contributions she makes to our work. Welcome, Michelle!