Vernon J. Gerth joined the City of Franklin in January 2007 as the City’s first Assistant City Administrator for Community and Economic Development. His primary responsibilities include managerial oversight of the Planning & Sustainability, Engineering, Building & Neighborhood Services, Streets, and Parks Departments.
Vernon’s passion for public service has spanned 25 years and has served the cities of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Vernon Hills, Illinois. Prior to pursuing a career in public service, Vernon was employed as a project manager for a commercial building contractor.
Vernon received his BA and MBA from Concordia University–Wisconsin and is a certified Economic Development Professional (CEcD). He is a member of several professional organizations that include the International City/County Management Association, International Economic Development Council, and Franklin Tomorrow.
Vernon recognizes that Franklin is a special and unique place that offers a desirable quality of life. He embraces the philosophy that public input is essential to preserving Franklin’s historic resources, encouraging reinvestment in mature neighborhoods, and securing quality, sustainable development.
With his wife, Shari, a music teacher at the Battle Ground Academy Lower School, they have two grown children, son, Jordan and daughter, Kaylyn. Contact Vernon Gerth at (615) 550-6671.
Russell Truell serves as the Assistant City Administrator for Finance and Administration for the City of Franklin. He directly administers the following departments: Water Management; Solid Waste: Municipal Information Technology; Assistant City Recorder; Purchasing; and Transit. Born in Chicago, Russ moved to Jackson, TN before he reached his first birthday. He attended Jackson City Schools and furthered his education with a B.E. in Engineering from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the University of London. While attending London Business School, he also obtained the Certificate in International Management from New York University and L’Ecole des Haute Etudes Commerciales in Paris.
Russ began his career with Malone & Hyde in Memphis, Tennessee. He went on to work fourteen years for Truell’s in Jackson, Tennessee before joining the public sector as City Recorder for the City of Jackson. He left Jackson in 2004 to become the Finance Director for the City of Franklin. In the fall of 2007, Russ was named Assistant City Administrator for Finance.
Russ's memberships include: Government Finance Officers Association; Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association; Tennessee Association of Clerks and Recorders; Leadership Jackson Alumni Association; and West Star Alumni Association (Leadership West Tennessee). He’s previously served as Chairman of the Madison County Election Commission; instructor for the UT Institute for Public Service; NAIA National Women’s Basketball Tournament Steering Committee; President of the Jackson Boys AAU Club (currently serving as State Treasurer for AAU Boys Basketball); Charter member of Jackson-Old Hickory Rotary Club; and Elder and Church School Superintendent for First Presbyterian Church.
Russ’s wife, Martha, retired recently from the staff of Congressman Jim Cooper. Prior to that, she held positions as office manager for Congressman John Tanner and Congressman Ed Jones. Russ and Martha have three children: Allison Kew of Franklin; Brent Truell of Redmond, WA; and Kimberly Truell of Washington, DC. They have two grandchildren here in Franklin. Contact Russ Truell at (615) 791-1457