IPS Leadership Academy - Memphis

The IPS Leadership Academy spent three days in Memphis in December. What a wonderful experience. In addition to great classroom time, we had a tour of the new pharmacy building and the dental lab. Josh Jones and Susan Robertson both took a turn at drilling on a tooth! We also had good food at the Rendevous and a few hours on Beale Street. The week included crazy weather with rain and snow. All in all, it was a good experience and I look forward to the upcoming session in March.

UT System Strategic Planning

As we begin the new year, a number of staff from across IPS are participating in task forces that have been formed to begin shaping the goals of the system strategic plan.

Chuck Shoopman is chairing the Outcomes and Measurement Task Force and I'm serving as the planning committee liaison to this task force

Beth Phillips - research task force
Bonnie Jones - Employer of Choice task force
Susan Robertson - external affairs task force
Andre Temple - staff affairs task force
Paul Jennings - driving investments and new revenue task force
Gail White - system-wide support systems


The work of all the task forces is to be complete by January 27, so this will be a busy month for these individuals. Thanks to them for their service.

Welcome Rhonda Campbell

Rhonda is the new IPS Development Director. She has been living in Knoxville for one year after many years in Chicago. She has great development experience including a number of years with United Way.

Paul Jennings chaired the search committee that brings Rhonda to IPS. We are excited for Rhonda to join our staff. Please welcome her when you get a chance.

Another Year Begins

Happy New Year to All!

As we begin 2012, there are many opportunities ahead of us. The general assembly convenes next week and the governor presents his new budget at the end of the month. I'm sure these activities will require some of our attention.

Our local government customers are wrapping up redistricting and turning their attention to debt management, financial management, personnel management, and all the other issues that consume their attention.

Our manufacturing customers, at least some of them, are seeing increases in business and there are some positive signs in the economy.

I'm looking forward to an exciting year and I hope you are as well.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!!!

It is hard to believe that we are wrapping up another year!

2011 brought "lean" principles to state and local government, new debt management policies to cities and counties,new legislators and a new administration to the state capitol, lots of solar projects, the 10th anniversary of the National Forensic Academy and the 40th anniversary of the Institute for Public Service.

We managed through yet another budget cut and still gave salary increases. We converted to a new learning management system and started an update to our strategic plans. The list could go on and on, but the point is we kept our focus on our customers and we have improved administrative processes.

We have more to do and I look forward to an exciting 2012. I wish everyone a blessed holiday season.

Employee Listening Sessions

During November and December I visited with 54 IPS employees, mostly one-on-one, but a few met in small groups. Each meeting lasted about 30 minutes.

Overall, the meetings were very positive. Employees are happy to work at IPS, pleased that they received a salary increase this year, and excited about the direction in which we are headed.

There were a few suggestions for improvement along the way regarding clarification of support staff roles and responsibilities, careful review of all our performance measures, caution on contracting out services, and the need for additional training about some administrative functions. Everyone is interested in better communication.

We have a great staff and I enjoyed every meeting.

UT System Strategic Planning

The UT System Steering Committee met recently to continue the strategic planning process. We are focusing on four goals for the university. It should come as no surprise that three of them are focused on teaching, research and service. The fourth goal is focused on how we can be successful as an organization.

Shortly the consulting firm will wrap up its "listening" session and will release a report on the themes that emerged during the process. The IPS leadersip team will paticipate in the process during its December leadership team meeting.

We will also release a new mission statement for the UT system. This is an exciting process and I encourage you to monitor it be visiting the planning web site.