In a somewhat surprising turn of events, the city of Murfreesboro subverted the usual line of succession and named Principal Planner Donald Anthony as the next director of the planning department.

Anthony leapfrogged Assistant Planning Director Matthew Blomeley to take over what is one of the most important departments in the city. Blomeley "will continue to serve in the important role of working with the Planning Commission," city spokesman Mike Browning said.

City Manager Craig Tindall made the announcement in a press release Monday afternoon, July 31 that Anthony will succeed Gary Whitaker who was recently promoted to Assistant City Manager. 

Anthony has served as principal planner for the city since 2015 where he oversaw The Bottoms Land Use Study. The announcement was made to staff Monday, July 30, following the recommendations of an internal and community interview panel. 

“We are pleased to announce the promotion of Donald Anthony to the strategic position overseeing planning services for the City of Murfreesboro,” Tindall said. “Donald has been instrumental in guiding various planning studies that will direct future development in downtown Murfreesboro and redevelopment of the Historic Bottoms area. His background and leadership as a certified planner is well-respected, both internally and externally, among developers and builders in Middle Tennessee.”

Anthony was a Planning Supervisor for Historic Franklin from 2012 to 2015 before beginning work in Murfreesboro. 

He has also served as a Deputy Director of Planning for the City of Conway, Arkansas, and as a Senior Planner for the Memphis and Shelby County Division of Planning and Development from 2005-2008. 

The City Planning Director position recently became vacant after the City launched a new Development Services Division in early July. 

Former Director Gary Whitaker became Assistant City Manager for Development and Coordination and Sam Huddleston as Executive Director for the Development Services Division as part of the reorganization of the City’s administrative structure to better serve customers. Whitaker had served as Planning Director since January 2016.

Anthony is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) with the Association of State Floodplain Managers. 

Anthony holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning from the University of Memphis and a Bachelor of Science from Lambuth University in Jackson.  He has also acquired additional education through coursework at Vanderbilt University. 

Anthony was born and raised in Jackson and is married to Kristin Canada-Anthony, a pre-school teacher. The couple will be married 21 years in August and has one child, Stephen, 15.

Michelle Willard is a freelance journalist who fills her days with social media marketing, politics, true crime, and taking complaints. You can complain to her on Twitter @MichWillard or by email michelle(at)murfreesborovoice.com.