Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero has appointed Sylvia Cook and Kimberly Henry to the Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation’s (KCDC) Board of Commissioners.
“We welcome both new members to the board,” KCDC Executive Director and CEO Ben Bentley said. “Sylvia will serve as the resident commissioner and brings a background of community involvement and commitment to neighborhood safety. Kimberly’s experience includes urban planning, and she has a long history of service to the Knoxville community. Both Sylvia and Kimberly bring valuable insight to assist the Board of Commissioners in financial oversight and governance of KCDC programs.”
Sylvia Cook
Cook will serve a two-year term. She is founder and president of the Eastport Neighborhood Watch program and graduated from the Knoxville Police Department’s Citizens Police Academy in 2003 and the Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee’s Community Leadership Class in 2015. Cook served as a lieutenant for Vinson Guard Service and is a current member of the Citizens Academy with the Knox County District Attorney’s office. She attends New Hope Missionary Baptist Church and teaches Sunday School.
Kimberly Henry
Henry, who will serve a five-year term, works for Northwestern Mutual as a business manager, overseeing human resource management, communications and special events. Prior to joining Northwestern Mutual, she had nearly 20 years of experience in urban planning and development. Henry, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Tennessee, lives in downtown Knoxville. She has served on several nonprofit boards and committees, including Knox Heritage, Knoxville Opera, Friends of Literacy, Dogwood Arts and City People. She also served as board chair for five years on the Metropolitan Planning Commission’s Downtown Design Review Board.
“Having such a depth and breadth of combined experience from two committed citizens who have served our community in such meaningful ways will benefit our board,” said John Winemiller, chair of KCDC’s Board of Commissioners. “I also extend my welcome to Sylvia and Kimberly and look forward to working with both of them.”
KCDC’s Board of Commissioners oversees all the agency’s programs, including affordable housing administration, redevelopment and rental assistance programs. The seven citizen board members are appointed by the mayor of Knoxville, including the resident commissioner. KCDC’s executive director and CEO serves as board secretary.