Town of Collierville

If you've been to a Collierville Arts Council or New Day Theatre production at the Harrell Theatre, you've seen Richard Logston's work. As the first and only Technical Production Manager employed by the Town, Logston has designed and built sets for around 100 productions over the years. How many years? He marked 35 years with the Town on April 2, 2025. When asked what a typical day is like for a Technical Production Manager, Logston said that it depends on the time of the year. March has become the month when he generally works normal 8 to 5 days because there isn’t anything in production in the theater. But the New Day Theatre’s production of Guys and Dolls will start on April 25, and from then on there will be one production after another until the end of the year.       “Throughout the year, my hours tend to vary,” said Logston. “I try my best to fit everything within a 40-hour week. Sometimes I’ll work from afternoon through the evenings, and sometimes I’m here from 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. But I really don’t have ‘typical’ days.” Besides working on all the Collierville Arts Council’s productions, Logston pitches in when needed to help with the New Day Theatre’s productions. And if any of either organization’s shows involve atmospheric effects such as smoke or fog, then his job is to be on fire watch while the show goes on.       “That avoids us having to be visited by the fire department and having to make the audience go outside for a few minutes,” he said. “It has happened, and it’s not fun, but everyone has been very understanding.” Logston has also pitched in for Collierville’s Christmas Parade, designing and building a new sleigh for Santa (and company – there was also room for Mrs. Claus, some elves and a jumbo bag of presents) in 2021 after watching a YouTube video as his only instruction. He also won a Memphis Ostrander award, along with director Justin Asher, for his Scenic Design work in the 2022-23 season production of Titanic! During this year’s March lull in production activity, Logston has been working on the sets for the Collierville Arts Council’s next production, Mystic Pizza. The pictures on the wall behind his desk are from previous productions of the play and he uses them as one source of inspiration for the sets he will design and build. If the play’s director has a vision for the set, Logston will allow that to steer the design, and he’ll also throw in a few ideas of his own. It’s what he calls “an amalgamation” of inspirations and sources that drives his work. Back in 1990, when Logston was making a decision where to go with his career, he had a few choices. He could have ventured elsewhere, or he could say yes to working with his friend in Collierville. When asked if he regretted switching from acting to theater production studies in high school or choosing the ‘known’ by returning to Collierville to work 35 years ago, what is Logston’s answer?  Not for a minute. 

We're #hiring a new Staff Engineer (JN25-29DE) in Collierville, Tennessee. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Shelby County Commissioner David Bradford honored Collierville’s own Judge Lee Ann Pafford Dobson last night at the Shelby County Board of Commissioners meeting. Mayor Maureen Fraser joined Judge Dobson at the event along with Collierville Police Inspector Ken Rowlett.     In recognition of Women’s History Month, Judge Dobson was named as one of the extraordinary women who are making a difference in Shelby County, and her resume certainly reflects this description.      Judge Dobson has served as the Town of Collierville Municipal Court Judge since a 2019 appointment. She was then elected in 2020 and re-elected in 2022. A longtime Collierville resident, she has practiced family law for decades, focusing on divorce, child support, juvenile court, and adoption. She co-founded Rikard & Dobson, PLLC in 1998, later establishing Dobson Law Firm, P.L.L.C. in 2011. Judge Dobson is also active in Zonta International and Memphis Golden Retriever Rescue and was a regular guest on Good Morning Memphis, answering viewers’ family law questions.    Congratulations, Judge Dobson! 

Moody’s Ratings has reaffirmed the Town of Collierville’s prestigious Aaa bond rating with a “No Outlook” indicator, confirming the Town’s exceptional fiscal health and financial stability. Moody’s annual review evaluates four key areas when assessing ratings: economy/tax base, finances, management, and debt/pension obligations. A “No Outlook” designation signifies that the agency has no concerns in any of these areas, which is a strong endorsement of the Town’s responsible financial stewardship. “This rating speaks volumes about the Town’s careful planning and sound financial management,” said Mayor Maureen Fraser. “Collierville remains one of only five municipalities in Tennessee to hold the highest possible rating, showing our commitment to fiscal responsibility.” For reference, a municipal bond rating is similar to an individual’s FICO credit score. It reflects an entity’s ability to meet financial obligations. Just as an 850 FICO score represents the gold standard in personal credit, a Aaa rating is the highest distinction in municipal finance. The rating signals to investors that Collierville is a secure, low-risk investment, ultimately allowing the Town to borrow at lower interest rates and save taxpayer dollars. “The Town’s Aaa rating is a testament of the stewardship excellence of both our legislative and administrative leadership,” said Finance Director Valesa Wells. Collierville, along with Brentwood, Franklin, Germantown, and Smyrna, are the only Tennessee municipalities with this rating.

Collierville, Tennessee's Morton Museum looks to expand its influence in the field while still cherishing its local stories

When Morton Museum’s Director Neecole Gregory was a young girl, she watched the movie The Mummy and became very interested in Archaeology and Egyptology. When it came time for her to attend college, she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Archaeology, Classical Studies at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia. But it wasn’t until pursuing her master’s degree in Memphis that she found a more focused passion.  “While working toward my Master’s in Egyptology at the University of Memphis, I realized that the field, as it existed, didn’t quite align with my aspirations—despite my deep love for the ancient world. The former director of the Egyptology department noticed that I wasn’t just interested in knowledge for its own sake, but in sharing it with the public. She encouraged me to explore the university’s emerging Museum Studies program, and once I shifted my focus, I found that I truly enjoyed interpreting history for a broader audience.” Gregory started work part-time at the Morton Museum in 2023 and became director of the museum in December 2024. In the four months since, she has been accepted to speak at three professional museum conferences. Last week she spoke at the Tennessee Association of Museums (TAM) in Knoxville. Her topic? High Turnover, Higher Purpose: Staying Optimistic and Paving the Way for Our Museum’s Bright Future. She also accepted the office of West TN Vice President for the organization. In May she will present Roots and Revival: Reconnecting with Collierville’s African American Stories at the American Alliance of Museums’ annual conference in Los Angeles. Finally, she will present Pay Up: Fighting for & Validating Paid Internships to Non-Museum Institutions at the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries conference in Albuquerque on June 24-27. Gregory wants to strengthen the museum's relationships with all communities in Collierville.  “True representation means actively engaging with these communities, listening to their stories, and ensuring they see themselves in the narratives we share. Our visitors can be confident that their cultural heritage is in the hands of dedicated professionals.”    But her other focus is just as important – training and maintaining museum professionals who will do a consistent job of preserving these stories. “I want to position the Morton Museum as a leading institution in the region for training and supporting emerging museum professionals. By working with local universities and cultural institutions, we can create opportunities for students and early-career professionals to get a real sense of what it takes to sustain a museum.” She's not a local, but Gregory has fallen in love with Collierville, its people and their stories. She wants the Morton Museum to be recognized across the field as proof that an institution’s size does not determine its impact. She hopes to inspire other institutions—no matter their size—to embrace their role in shaping the cultural landscape.

We're #hiring a new Assistant Building Official (JN25-11DC) in Collierville, Tennessee. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Thank you Vice Mayor / Alderman John Stamps for a decade of service to the Collierville community! 👏

Our dedicated employees worked around the clock to ensure the safety of residents and commuters. Their combined efforts helped keep roads passable, facilities accessible, and the community informed.