Tim Kelly is the 66th mayor of Chattanooga. He was first elected in 2020 and was reelected in 2025 to a second term with 85% of the vote. He grew up in Chattanooga, attended undergraduate school at Columbia University. After returning to Chattanooga, he expanded his family's automobile dealership and launched several successful ventures, including co-founding Chattanooga professional soccer club. Mayor Tim spearheaded the One Chattanooga plan, a ranging platform built through public engagement. In 2024 his office completed the city's first comprehensive plan and city-wide zoning update since 1961 with a goal of making Chattanooga more affordable and prosperous.
Mayor Tim Kelly has been a guest on 3 episodes.
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Episode 3: Zoning, Banks and Goat Rodeos: What it takes to lead a Big Town
July 17th, 2025 | Season 1 | 20 mins 46 secs
access to capital, affordable housing, big towns, chattanooga, civic leadership, local economy, local journalism, mayor tim kelly, zoning reform
The third and final part of our conversation between Dean Baquet and Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Tim Kelly (including audience Q&A) was recorded April 24, 2025 at Big Towns in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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Episode 2: It’s About Agency: Turning Coca-Cola into wine
July 17th, 2025 | Season 1 | 21 mins 45 secs
chattanooga housing, community foundation, early childhood development, economic challenges., efficient government, eviction prevention, federal support, leadership, local food movement, neighborhood services, organizational management, philanthropy, police reform, public health, tourism
The second of a three-part conversation between Dean Baquet and Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Tim Kelly, Episode 2 was recorded April 24, 2025 at Big Towns in Lafayette, Louisiana.
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Episode 1: Eye on the Sparrow: Why divided economies fail
July 17th, 2025 | Season 1 | 22 mins 20 secs
america, chattanooga, city, localism, mayor, racial inequality, south, tennessee, town
The first of a three-part conversation between Dean Baquet and Chattanooga, Tennessee Mayor Tim Kelly, Episode 1 was recorded April 24, 2025 at Big Towns in Lafayette, Louisiana.