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Regional planning group likes Pamela Marshall’s ‘true grit’

Pamela Marshall is the new Executive Director of the Memphis Area Association of Governments (MAAAG). Pamela Marshall is the new Executive Director of the Memphis Area Association of Governments (MAAAG).

Pamela Marshall

“The (MAAAG) Board feels that Ms. Marshall has the true grit that we need too fight for state and federal dollars in our urban and rural communities,” said Hugh Davis, chairman of MAAAG’s Board of Directors. “Many of us have watched her career unfold. We are fortunate to have her on our team.”

Marshall assumed the position last week (Feb. 2). She succeeds John Sicola who led the regional planning support organization for 30 years.

As executive director, Marshall will drive the organization’s strategic mission of providing funding to Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton county governments in support of economic, housing and community development initiatives. She will also work closely with member governments and nonprofit organizations to identify, craft and lobby for legislation and public policy that serves to improve the overall quality of life for residents.

“I am very excited too have this opportunity to serve the residents in MAAG’s four county region,” said Marshall. “My goal is to improve existing programs while seeking other avenues to bring jobs and economic development to the communities MAAGG serves.”

Marshall served as chief-of-staff during Joe Ford’s stint as Shelby County interim mayor. She also has served as public policy director at a hospital group, a general assignment reporter and anchor, community relations officer at the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and vice president of public policy and community affairs for the Greater Memphis Chamber.

Marshall has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in Chicago and has extensive community relations experience. She helped helped transform legislation saving Tennessee’s only oil refinery and played a key role in securing $400 million to stave off reduced operations at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis.

(For more information about MAAAG, visit wwww.maagovv.org.)