Committee advances multiple board and commission nominees; several appointments recorded unanimously

A council committee on Dec. 16 interviewed and advanced a slate of nominees to city boards and commissions and recorded unanimous committee recommendations for most appointees.

Nominees advanced and committee actions included:

- Emma Boyd Elliott — nominee for the Contract & Compliance Board (term to 10/15/2026). Elliott, an attorney with experience in procurement and affordable housing, said she would focus on accountability and safety plans. Committee advanced her nomination by voice vote.

- Stuart Huffman — nominee for the Contract & Compliance Board. Huffman described two decades of experience handling contractor licensing, complaints and board rules; committee advanced his nomination.

- Carrie Adams — nominee to the Human Relations Commission. Adams, incoming chair of Civic Tennessee, said she would use process and data to promote equity. Committee advanced her nomination 5‑0.

- Community Review Board nominee listed on the agenda as 'John b Schrader' introduced himself in remarks as 'Ben Trader' and described a background in federal prosecution and public service; members raised questions about the CRB’s access to materials from MNPD. The committee advanced the nomination but the transcript shows inconsistent name references between the agenda and the nominee’s self-identification.

- Tanisha Westbrook — nominee to the Community Review Board. Westbrook, founder of Shop Black Fest and a community-builder focused on economic inclusion, said her top goal is building community trust; committee advanced her nomination 5‑0.

- Bruce Pierce — nominee to the Equalization Board (term to 11/18/2027). Pierce described a long career in property tax compliance and valuation and the committee advanced his appointment.

- Dr. Courtney Pitts — nominee to the Hospital Authority (term to 09/06/2026). Pitts, an advanced practice registered nurse with nearly 20 years in Nashville and national policy experience, said "healthcare is a right and not a privilege" and recommended working with legal counsel to clarify hospital policies for detained patients; committee advanced her nomination.

The committee also confirmed, in a grouped vote, Chris Weinman to the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission and Katie Feldhouse Jackson to the Human Relations Commission. A scheduled interview and appointment for John Glassmeyer to the Board of Zoning Appeals was deferred because the nominee was not properly on the agenda. Several nominations included brief exchanges about time commitments and meeting attendance; most nominees affirmed they could serve.

Votes at a glance (committee record): Emma Boyd Elliott — advanced (voice vote); Stuart Huffman — advanced (voice vote); Carrie Adams — advanced 5‑0; Ben/John Schrader — advanced (voice vote; name discrepancy in transcript); Tanisha Westbrook — advanced 5‑0; Bruce Pierce — advanced (voice vote); Dr. Courtney Pitts — advanced 5‑0; Chris Weinman and Katie Feldhouse Jackson — confirmed together (voice vote). The meeting record notes a withdrawn nominee for the BZA and the committee adjourned after procedural business.