business briefs
• Knoxville professional photographer Colby McLemore, owner of Colby’s Photos & Videos in Knoxville, recently was re-elected to the Professional Photographers of America Council for a fourth three-year term.
PPA is the largest and longest-standing photography trade organization in the world.
PPA council members are professional photographers who volunteer to guide and act as the voice for their state’s PPA members. Duties include discussing and voting on changes to the bylaws and the association’s leadership (via the election of the nominating committee and the board of directors). McLemore also is active in both the state’s and region’s trade organizations, serving as secretary for Tennessee Professional Photographers Association and chair for Professional Photographers of East Tennessee. He has earned an industry master’s degree, a craftsman’s degree, five specialty certifications and a drone pilot license.
• Knoxville Family Justice Center has announced the recent appointment of Michelle Clayton as its new executive director. Clayton brings more than 14 years of leadership experience in educational settings and nonprofit organizations, extensive strategic partnerships and nonprofit leadership expertise.
Most recently serving as vice president of development and strategic partnerships at Knoxville Area Urban League, Clayton demonstrated exceptional leadership in expanding revenue streams, fostering high-level partnerships and implementing strategic initiatives.
Before her role at KAUL, Clayton held several leadership positions within Knox County Schools, including assistant principal roles at Knoxville West, Knoxville Central and Austin- East high schools.
In 2019, she was appointed executive principal at Richard Yoakley Alternative School, where she spearheaded staff development and utilized data-driven strategies to enhance educational outcomes.
Her career also includes serving as correctional principal at Mountain View Youth Development Center, focusing on curriculum development for incarcerated youth and leading the education program at Florence Crittenton Agency for youth battling substance addictions.
