Oak Ridge hires new community development director

 

Oak Ridge has hired a new community development director.

Wayne Blasius was selected to lead the department earlier this month, and he will start in his new position on August 28, a press release said.

Blasius is currently executive director of the nonprofit East Tennessee Community Design Center, the press release said.

“I am extremely pleased to announce that Wayne Blasius will be joining us in the City of Oak Ridge as our new director of community development,” City Manager Mark Watson said in the press release. “Wayne brings to us extensive public and private sector experience. He is particularly knowledgeable about the many changes in housing and public spaces in Knoxville and will bring that experience to Oak Ridge as we continue our own community renaissance and redevelopment.”

Blasius will replace Kathryn Baldwin, Oak Ridge’s current community development director. Baldwin announced in May that she is retiring after 16 years of service with the city, and her last day is July 28.

Blasius served as president of the InSite Development Corporation in Knoxville from 2001 to 2015. He also consulted on energy management, infrastructure, and sustainability matters for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and served as deputy director of the City of Knoxville’s Department of Community Development.

Blasius received his master’s degree in planning from the University of Tennessee, the press release said.

“The opportunity to help shape the future of such a unique, growing community doesn’t come along often,” Blasius said. “I look forward to joining this incredibly professional team.”

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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