Planning Retirements

It's time to say our goodbyes to two key Planning staff members – Tom Brechko and Gerald Green are counting down the few days left until they hang up their planning hats and enjoy retirement.

Tom, a Principal Planner holding a 20-year tenure with the agency, has been our subdivision, use on review, and TTCDA guru. A visible mainstay at our monthly public meetings, he has participated in nearly 245 sessions over his two decades. In his review work, Tom has processed a total of 1,971 cases, working with countless developers, planning commissioners, members of the public, and fellow staff. One of his lasting accomplishments will be his leadership in overhauling the local Subdivision Regulations that went into effect in 2018. Tom’s career has spanned more than four decades, leaving his mark on communities in New York, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. We’ll miss his contributions, his friendship, and his pranks.

Gerald Green, Executive Director since 2015, has accomplished an impressive amount in just five years. After a nearly 30-year career in North Carolina, Gerald’s impeccable qualifications landed him the job with our agency. He hit the ground running in Knoxville, tackling and leading several major projects to completion. Those include the re-write of the City of Knoxville’s zoning ordinance, an updated city parking ordinance, and implementation of Planned Developments, a new zoning tool available in both the city and county. Gerald also led the agency through substantial internal changes, including a rebranding and office renovation, updated workflows, increased community outreach, and enhanced transparency. Gerald has pushed us all to set our standards higher and demand more for our community. Though his leadership will be hard to match, we’re grateful for his hard work and the momentum that has been gained from it.

Gerald and Tom, we wish you the very best. Enjoy some well-deserved relaxation!