City of Morristown Employee Profile.


Ralph 'Buddy' Fielder

Lakeway Area Profiles: Administrator Ralph 'Buddy' Fielder serves public through city government

Morristown Assistant City Administrator Ralph 'Buddy' Fielder is one of three relatively young department heads city officials say they expect to provide leadership in city government for years to come.

Fielder, former Morristown Public Works Department director, was promoted to assistant city administrator in July.

He says the biggest challenge he's faced in his first four-plus months his new job is following the act of jack-of-all-trades Jack Kennerly, the former assistant city administrator.

'He's a sharp guy,' Fielder said. 'I've got a long learning curve. I've got some tough shoes to fill. You don't realize how much someone did or how good a job they did until you try to fill their shoes.'

That's not to say Fielder comes to the position without experience.

After graduating from East Tennessee State University in 1987 with a bachelor's degree in applied science technology, Fielder began his employment with the city of Morristown as an engineering technician.

After eight years in that position, he was named public works director. Fielder says the years he spent in diverse branches of city government give him a perspective about how different city departments interact.

'I've had the opportunity to serve in different areas, working with every department,' Fielder said. 'I would hope that in my career I would be able to bring perspective to the administrative level … and work the best I can for the public.'

'Having an engineering background, I've been more involved in engineering and operations, then the opportunity came along to broaden my career,' Fielder added. '(The job) was there, and I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do it,' Fielder added. 'It's a fun job. You get to be involved in a lot of city projects, and it's rewarding.'

When Fielder was named assistant city administrator, he retained supervisory duties over the public works department, but is not involved in the day-to-day operations. He also is responsible for initiatives involving the Morristown municipal airport and serves as a liaison between citizens and city government on a wide variety of fronts.

Fielder, a Morristown native, graduated from Morristown-Hamblen High School before earning an associate's degree at Walters State Community College.

He and his wife of 19 years, Jacqueline, a teacher at Manley Baptist Church preschool, have two children.

Chelslyn, 18, is a freshman at King College where she earned a scholarship for track and cross-country. Jake, 12, is an accomplished soccer player who is in the seventh grade at West View Middle School.

When the Fielders aren't at a track meet or soccer practice or game, which is fairly rare, they enjoy boating on Cherokee Lake. The Fielders attend First Presbyterian Church in Morristown.

The assistant city administrator is a member of the International City Managers Association and the American Public Works Association. He also serves on the Morristown Tree Board.

Fielder says he expects to work for the city of Morristown for the remainder of his career.

'I grew up here,' he said. 'I love East Tennessee. My family is here, and it's my stomping grounds.'

by Tribune Staff Writers