Memphis Mayor-elect Jim Strickland has appointed Patrice Thomas as the city’s deputy chief operating officer, effective Jan. 1.

PATRICE THOMAS
Thomas comes to the position from being deputy director of Memphis Public Works. Before that, she served for a decade as comptroller for the city of Memphis.
Thomas will report to COO Doug McGowen, whom Strickland appointed earlier to the newly created position. COO replaces the position of chief administrative officer in the new administration.
Strickland’s appointments have continued rolling out over the past few weeks. They began with the Dec. 8 announcement that the mayor-elect had appointed six C-level directors – who all report directly to him – in a new City Hall structure.