Mayor Freddie O’Connell has named Masami Tyson his new ‘chief of staff.’ O’Connell also appointed Marjorie Pomeroy-Wallace, who currently serves as ‘chief of staff,’ to serve as his first ‘chief strategy officer’ and ‘senior advisor.’

“Masami’s leadership is a tremendous addition to the Mayor’s Office, and she will be a one-of-a-kind asset as we look to empower our staff and all of Metro government to deliver its best work for Nashvillians,” Mayor O’Connell said. “Marjorie Pomeroy-Wallace was consistent since the beginning of the term that she wanted to help build our great Mayor’s Office team and then transition into a new role that leans into her strengths as a bridge builder and strategist.”

Tyson previously worked as the ‘global director’ of Foreign Direct Investment and Trade at the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. She also has worked as an attorney in various law firms and in-house roles, and she serves on multiple nonprofit boards.

“I am so grateful to Mayor O’Connell for this opportunity and am honored and excited to serve Nashvillians in this capacity,” Tyson said. “I look forward to working with everyone on the Mayor’s team and building upon the great work that is already underway.”

As Chief Strategy Officer, Pomeroy-Wallace will make recommendations about the organization and deployment of Metro resources to achieve the city’s long-term goals. As part of that scope, she will work on data, boards and commissions, and coalition building.

“I am grateful that our search for my successor led to Masami because she is the perfect choice to take over as ‘chief of staff’ for Mayor O’Connell,” Pomeroy-Wallace said. “Our team is top notch and is improving the way Nashvillians interact with their local Mayor’s Office every day, and I relish the chance as ‘chief strategy officer’ to focus on the ways we can build even stronger coalitions in the years ahead.”

Tyson and Pomeroy-Wallace have assumed their new roles with Tyson starting full time on August 1.