Senior Leadership Team

Dr. Sonia Stewart - Deputy Superintendent
Office: (423) 498-6715
Executive Assistant: Lisa Clements

As Deputy Superintendent for Hamilton County Schools, Dr. Stewart provides leadership and support to the Superintendent’s Senior Leadership Team to ensure the District’s strategic goals and objectives are met. She oversees community superintendents; K-12 learning; social, emotional & academic development; opportunity and access; and communications. She works closely with the Superintendent to coordinate across all departments in the District to continuously support the achievement and postsecondary opportunities for all students

Shannon Moody - Chief Strategy Officer 
Office: (423) 498-7072
Assistant:  Melissa Tate

As Chief Strategy Officer, Ms. Moody supports the development of systems and structures that help drive the vision of Hamilton County Schools. She oversees data and information systems, research, family and community engagement, and school health. The Strategy Team works alongside leaders in supporting students, family, and community and measuring outcomes across the organization.

Dr. Zac Brown - Chief Talent Officer
Office: (423) 498-7056
Assistant:  Karen Reynolds

As the Chief of Talent, Dr. Brown leads the Human Resources and Benefits team that is committed to supporting student achievement by recruiting, retaining and developing high quality leaders, teachers, and support staff for our Hamilton County Schools. The team works alongside school leaders to build and support a talented workforce for our students and our community.

Dr. Marsha Drake - Chief Equity Officer 
Office: (423) 498-7022 
Assistant: Valencia Martin

Dr. Drake serves as the Chief of Equity & Advocacy for Hamilton County Schools. She is responsible for overseeing parent and student advocacy, attendance, homebound, homeless (families in transition), discipline, Title VI and Title IX, alternative school, and virtual school programs. The focus of these departments is to ensure equity and provide a voice for all students and families in Hamilton County Schools.

Blake Freeman - Chief Academic Officer
Office: (423) 498-6719
Assistant: Brittnee Francis

In his role as Chief Academic Officer, Mr. Freeman provides leadership to the Teaching and Learning Office, specifically overseeing the Teaching and Learning Team composed of the K-12 Directors, Future Ready Students Director, as well as the Innovation Coordinator, and Fine Arts Lead. The Teaching and Learning Office is responsible for high-quality instructional resources provided to schools as well as professional learning for teachers and leaders around best practices in K-12 instruction. Mr. Freeman also assists in facilitating collaboration, both internally among District offices and Learning Communities as well as business partnerships that support learning initiatives.

Mary Ellen Heuton, CPA - Chief Financial Officer 
Office: (423) 498-7026
Assistant: Taniia Hymer

As the Chief Financial Officer for Hamilton County Schools, Ms. Heuton leads teams responsible for all aspects of accounting, budgeting, grant management, procurement, and risk management The Finance Division is committed to providing efficient, effective, and compliant financial services and information for our teachers, school district and community leadership, and our community.

Dr. Neelie Parker - Chief of Opportunity and Access  
Office: (423) 498-7111
Assistant: Jennifier Workman

In her role as Chief of Opportunity and Access for Hamilton County Schools, Dr. Parker oversees efforts across the District to make sure all children, especially those who are underserved, are provided the services, supports, opportunities and access needed for them to thrive and reach their full potential

Dr. Robert Sharpe - Chief Operations Officer 
Office: (423) 498-7023
Assistant: Lori Bledsoe

Dr. Robert Sharpe is the Chief Operating Officer for Hamilton County Schools. Dr. Sharpe leads and supports several departments which include District facilities and maintenance, transportation, food service, campus safety, athletics, and long-term capital planning.

Steve Doremus - Communications Officer
Office: (423) 498-7043

Mr. Doremus serves as the District’s Communications Officer, overseeing a team responsible for planning and coordinating strategic communications, internal and external public relations, and media relations activities to enhance stakeholder understanding of Hamilton County Schools’ mission, objectives, services, and activities. The Communications Team manages the District’s media relations, strategic communications, brand strategy, social media, website, videography, photography, and live streaming.

Angelia Askins - Executive Director of Grants and Federal Programs
Office: (423) 498-7098
Assistant:  Kimberly Wheeler

As the Executive Director of Grants and Federal Programs, Angelia Askins supports schools and departments in the administration of programs and distribution of Title, Priority, and 21st-century funds. She supports district-level teams in the competitive grant process. The Executive Director will lead the Grants and Federal Programs team to support school leaders and Central Office with identifying, budgeting, and planning for grants coming into HCS. The office's goal will be to ensure that all spending meets compliance guidelines and aligns with the district strategic plan, priority plan, and school improvement plans.

Dr. Sarah Evans - Executive Director of Exceptional Education
Office: (423) 498-6778
Assistant:  Shelbi Goble

As the Executive Director of Exceptional Education, Dr. Evans oversees special education services for students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) and gifted services. Special education includes initial referrals, reevaluation, academic and behavior supports, and services for students with IEPs.

Penny Murray - Executive Director of Human Capital & Financial Solutions
Office: (423) 498-7069


Penny Murray, Executive Director of Human Capital & Financial Solutions, job is to provide strategic and operational leadership and oversight of human capital and financial operations solutions for Hamilton County Schools. The Executive Director is accountable through collaboration for researching, designing, and improving systems and processes of shared services including, but not limited to operations, data analytics, policies and procedures, HRIS, compensation, compliance, benefits administration, payroll, accommodations, licensure, and leave management.

Dr. Patricia Russell - Executive Director of Social, Emotional & Academic Development
Office: (423) 498-7128
Assistant: Acquila Young

Dr. Russell is the Executive Director of Social, Emotional, and Academic Development for Hamilton County Schools. She oversees school counseling, social work, student success planning, college and career advising, 504’s, and positive school wide behavior support for elementary schools. In her role, she works across district teams to support the implementation of a whole-child approach and the execution of post-secondary goals.

John Simon - Executive Director of Information Technology
Office: (423) 498 6761
Assistant:  Emily Spears

As Executive Director of Information Technology, Mr. Simon leads the district technology team that is responsible for building, maintaining, and supporting the district technology infrastructure and equipment. He oversees network services, telecommunication services, technology support, instructional technology support, software application support, data center and server operations, technology purchasing, and E-rate funding management. The technology team is dedicated to providing high-quality technology resources, equitably distributed across all schools and to all students, with a special focus on providing the tools to help students become creators in today’s digital world.