New Executive Director Announced

Tenn-Share is pleased to announce that Jenifer Grady is the next Executive Director.

Jenifer Grady, MSLS, MBA, CAE, was recently Director of the American Library Association – Allied Professional Association for more than seven years. ALA-APA was established to fulfill two missions: supporting salary and status improvement initiatives and certifying library workers in specializations beyond their initial degree, whether it is an MSLS or a high school diploma. She managed certification programs for public library managers and public and academic support staff, conducted salary surveys, delivered conference programs in areas such as negotiation and affordable healthcare, and edited a monthly newsletter called Library Worklife.

Jenifer took her MSLS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and her MBA from the Weatherhead School of Case Western Reserve University. She has been on staff and as a manager at academic, medical, nonprofit, government and public libraries. In her personal life, Jenifer is always on the lookout for great bread pudding and a nearby trail to walk or bike off the calories.

Jenifer says “I am excited about the opportunity to serve as the Executive Director of Tenn-Share and put my negotiation skills to work for its members. I welcome your feedback, suggestions and best wishes for Tenn-Share.”

The search committee, chaired by Tenn-Share President Melissa Brenneman, included officers Tricia Bengel, Robert Benson, Sue Maszaros and Joe Weber, and also Database Coordinator DeAnne Luck. The search produced several impressive candidates. The Board is confident that Jenifer will implement the Tenn-Share mission and be a strong advocate for libraries and Tenn-Share. She loves working with people and data, which will serve the organization well.

Penny Frere, Tenn-Share’s first Executive Director, retired at the end of November 2011 after many years of dedicated service to the consortium and to Tennessee libraries. She was instrumental in the formation and expansion of the Tennessee Electronic Library, for which Secretary of State Riley Darnell called her "the Mother of TEL." We owe her a deep debt of gratitude for her leadership in bringing Tenn-Share to its strong position today. DeAnne Luck is resigning as Database Coordinator at the end of June to begin her new job as the librarian at Burt Elementary School in Clarksville. Her duties are combined into the new full time Executive Director position.

Tenn-Share welcomes Jenifer to the consortium, and wishes her well as the second Executive Director.