George Shields, 39, Deputy Director of Human Resources, City of Knoxville
Iraqi police officers, Boy Scouts, people seeking legal aid, Knoxville mayors and Knoxville residents living in affordable housing are among those affected by George Shields’ dedication to service and justice.
Shields has held many positions in law, local government and the military, but he is always driven by the desire to help others achieve their goals. While working with the city, he has helped Knoxville navigate a pandemic, address affordable housing needs and create the city’s first major personnel system improvement in nearly 40 years.
In 50-100 words, introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m from Blount County and a double alumnus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. My nonlinear career has so far included working in military, legal, and human resources roles. In the military, I’m a former active-duty and current reserve Air Force intelligence officer. As a lawyer, I’ve worked in private practice, as a legal aid attorney, and as in-house counsel. I was recently promoted to deputy chief HR officer for the City of Knoxville. Regardless of the role, I help organizations deliver on their mission through cross-functional leadership and trusted advice at the intersection of people, law, and operations.
When you reflect on your career so far, which achievement stands out most?
The best parts of my career have been the opportunities to make a difference for other people and help organizations accomplish their mission. I’m proud of achievements in each role, but the achievement that stands out most is serving as the city’s lead staff attorney for COVID-19 issues. I will always be proud to have advised the mayor, the law director, and other officials as part of the city’s efforts to prioritize resident and employee safety during the emergency stage of the pandemic.
What is the greatest professional obstacle you’ve had to overcome and how did you overcome it?
By the time I started high school − and then especially after 9/11 − I single-mindedly pursued a career as an Air Force pilot. I joined the Air Force ROTC program at UT and was selected for pilot training. But my flight physical revealed enough of a color vision deficiency to disqualify me from flying. I had no idea what to do. Thankfully, a few officers helped me find my way into military intelligence, which turned out to be a great fit. Getting there required realizing that no one cares about your career as much as you do, navigating bureaucracy, and persistence.
What will you focus on in 2025?
I’m a lifelong learner, so I’m taking classes with the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations. I look forward to applying what I learn at work. I’m also energized by my current Air Force Reserve assignment. As an admissions liaison officer, I mentor and evaluate candidates for Air Force Academy appointments and ROTC scholarships. When I was in high school, my Junior ROTC instructors, Tom Shaughnessy and Pat Reidy, helped me earn one of those scholarships. Now, as a first-generation college graduate, I’m proud to pay forward some of what they did for me by helping others.
What is your biggest professional dream?
As my nonlinear career illustrates, I’m less interested in following a particular path and more interested in roles that offer meaningful opportunities to make positive impacts. I especially appreciate roles that also come with the space and freedom to ideate and innovate. That could take lots of different forms. For example, in my current role with the city, I support our chief HR officer, Dr. Kelly Drummond, help lead our dedicated HR team and partner with the mayor and other officials on strategic people and culture initiatives. It’s a role that calls for cross-functional leadership, and I’m enjoying it.
What mistake did you learn the most from?
I’ve learned the hard way that logic and reason alone aren’t always enough to win the day. As Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson puts it, “It’s not good enough to be right; you also have to be effective.” Effectiveness requires not only a strong argument but also emotional intelligence and the ability to connect with others. Experience has taught me that those considerations often make the difference between simply being heard and driving real change.
What motivates you?
I’m analytically minded, probably by disposition, but certainly by training. I like to evaluate information, identify causes and trends, develop courses of action and, ultimately, solve complex problems. I enjoy learning and then applying what I learn by coaching and mentoring others and defining strategies to improve organizations and optimize systems.
What is the most overrated piece of business advice you’ve heard?
“You have to pay your dues” can be problematic advice. I don’t mind it when it’s said to encourage someone to believe that their hard work will lead to success. But I reject it when it’s used to discourage young people or junior colleagues from offering their perspectives just because they lack a certain level of experience or seniority. No one has a monopoly on good ideas.
What trait do you most want in a co-worker?
The trait I most want in a co-worker is a mission-focused attitude. Colleagues who understand and are motivated by an organization’s mission tend to keep sight of the big picture, allowing them to navigate challenges with a strategic perspective. They prioritize effectively and avoid becoming derailed by minor issues. This clarity fosters collaboration and alignment, helping the entire team to stay motivated and achieve greater success together.
What about Knoxville would you like to improve?
I want more people to consider careers in local government. The city’s HR team and colleagues across departments are working to attract and retain the best talent. Whether in a uniformed or nonuniformed role, our goal is to offer our colleagues fulfilling work, competitive pay and excellent benefits. I also want more Scouting in Knoxville. I’m especially passionate about Venturing, Sea Scouts, and Exploring, hugely impactful coed Scouting programs for high school students and young adults. We can help more young people develop character, citizenship, leadership and fitness through outdoor adventure with the help of more volunteers and partner organizations.
What don’t people know about you?
I’m a proud descendant of the Cades Cove community. Five generations of my family lived there, including my grandfather Calvin. My grandfather; my dad, George Sr.; and my cousin, local historian Dr. Randolph Shields, instilled in me a deep appreciation for the Cove, its history, and our connection to it. Thanks to them, I co-majored in history, and I continue to research genealogy and family history. I’m glad to support the Cades Cove Preservation Association and Museum in Maryville’s historic Thompson-Brown House.
- Family: My wife, Jordan; my mother, Sharon; my late father, George Sr.
- Years worked at current company: 6
- Degrees and certifications: Bachelor of Arts, history and political science, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Master of Arts, intelligence studies, American Military University; Doctor of Jurisprudence, law, University of Tennessee at Knoxville; Public Sector HR Association senior certified professional
- Community involvement: Attorney and board member, Great Smoky Mountain Council, Scouting America; advisory committee member, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, chapter of Alpha Phi Omega; member, University of Tennessee Alumni Legislative Council; member, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
-Devarrick Turner