TNECD Names New Assistant Commissioner of Community & Rural Development

Posted: September 17, 2021

Position will help oversee key areas impacting rural Tennessee

After more than 13 years with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Commissioner Bob Rolfe appointed Brooxie Carlton as assistant commissioner of Community and Rural Development. She replaces Sammie Arnold, who’s now working as chief of staff for Representative Cameron Sexton, speaker of the house in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

“We appreciate the relationships Brooxie’s built with communities throughout the state, and she’ll carry out the department’s mission to expand economic opportunities across rural Tennessee,” Rolfe says. “We appreciate Sammie’s leadership and time at TNECD. We look forward to working with him as he begins the next step in his career.”

Carlton, who most recently served as deputy assistant commissioner of Rural Development since 2015, will have oversight of several key areas impacting rural Tennesseans, including broadband funding.

“We’re excited to have Brooxie at the helm, and we’re full steam ahead right now,” says Emily You, TNECD broadband grants manager. “It’s a really exciting time in our state, and we’re trying our hardest to close the broadband gap in Tennessee.”

During her career, Carlton has managed the administration of grants totaling more than $650 million.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work with Tennessee’s rural communities for several years now,” Carlton says. “We’ve developed programs that benefited our communities, and I’m honored to expand that work and lead a great team that’s committed to making our state a great place to live and work.”