Memphis mayor announces COO, CFO replacements amid city’s economic struggles Two new executives take over key financial roles as Memphis ranks near the bottom of a national economic index MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Mayor Paul Young announced sweeping changes Friday to his top cabinet, replacing the City’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer two years into his four-year term. The announcements came after this year’s budget session concluded. Departures Chief Operating Officer Antonio Adams and Chief Financial Officer Walter Person — both of whom served under former Mayor Jim Strickland — are leaving the administration. Adams has served in multiple roles during his 17-year tenure at the City of Memphis, including EEO/Labor Relations and ADA Compliance Coordinator, Deputy Director of General Services, General Services Director, Interim Total Rewards Officer, and Deputy Chief Operating Officer before being elevated to Interim COO. Person holds a Bachelor of Arts from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a certified Master Black Belt in Six Sigma methodology, a graduate of the Leadership Memphis Executive Class of 2011, and a Certified Municipal Finance Officer in 2023. Person was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer for the City of Memphis in January 2024. He previously was appointed Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the City of Memphis in November 2021. As Deputy Chief Financial Officer, he was responsible for the financial management of the organization, which includes budget analysis and management, debt management, financial modeling and reporting, cost-benefit analysis, forecasting needs, accounting and treasury operations, and investment strategies. While in this role as Deputy Chief Financial Officer, he also served as Interim Comptroller as well as Interim Budget Manager. He served as a member of the City’s Pension Investment Committee. Manny Belen, the current City