Oak Ridge city manager hires assistant

Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson has hired an assistant.

Bruce M. Applegate Jr. will help the city manager plan, organize, develop, coordinate, maintain, and direct the overall operations and activities of the city, a press release said. He will help provide supervision for special projects and task forces, and participate in the recruitment and promotion of new and existing businesses and industries. In addition, he will assist in developing, planning, and implementing goals and objectives for the city. Applegate’s employment will become effective December 1.

“I am excited to join the staff of the City of Oak Ridge,” Applegate said. “I am eager to begin working with the city staff to address the upcoming projects aimed at bettering the community. The variety of tasks will give me an opportunity to engage with both city officials and community members to appropriately create solutions to meet Oak Ridge’s needs. I feel fortunate to be joining the city, and look forward to demonstrating my appreciation through hard work….Having gone to school in Oak Ridge, I relish the opportunity to give back to a city that has given to me.”

“I look forward to having Bruce join our city organization,” Watson said. “As a graduate of the University of Tennessee, I am pleased to acknowledge the types of graduates that are part of this great university program. I have seen the quality of work that Bruce has done and will find him an excellent member of the community and as a representative of the professionalism I strive for as the city manager of Oak Ridge.”

Applegate was raised in Knoxville and Lafayette, Indiana. He comes to the city as a recent graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He holds dual bachelor’s degrees in political science and history from Purdue University, in addition to a master’s degree in public administration and public policy from the University of Tennessee.

For more information about the City of Oak Ridge, visit the website at www.OakRidgeTN.gov.