Commissioner Schroer Appoints Chief of Staff, New Community Relations Director

Nashville, TN – Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Commissioner John Schroer today named Lyndsay Thurston Botts as his Chief of Staff. Botts is currently the Director of Communications and Community Relations for TDOT. As Chief of Staff, Botts will serve as a top aide and advisor to the Commissioner and will have oversight responsibilities for the department in areas of communications, policy, and government relations.

 

“Lyndsay has proved to be a valuable asset to me as I direct and lead this great agency,” Schroer said. “This appointment will allow her to assist me in day-to-day operations, as well as focus on key initiatives and special projects.”         

 

Botts joined TDOT in March of this year and previously served as the Field Director and Assistant Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander. Prior to that post, Botts was a news anchor and reporter for the FOX affiliate in Chattanooga.

 

Botts will be replaced by B.J. Doughty as the department’s Director of Communications and Community Relations. Ms. Doughty served as TDOT’s Community Relations Officer in Middle Tennessee since 2006, prior to serving as TDOT’s Public Information Manager.

 

“B.J. has done an exceptional job in establishing solid working relationships with the media and effectively communicating the department’s information to the people of Tennessee,” said Schroer. “I know she will do excellent work in her new assignment.”

 

In her new role, Doughty will have management responsibilities of TDOT’s Community Relations Division, which oversees and directs the areas of media relations, public involvement and constituent services. Doughty will continue to serve as the primary media contact for the department pertaining to statewide issues. Before joining TDOT, Doughty was a news producer for ten years at the ABC affiliate in Nashville.

 

Botts and Doughty will both assume their new roles October 31. High resolution photos of Botts and Doughty can be downloaded at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/mediaroom/tdot_staff.htm.