Council confirms two longtime city leaders to key operational roles
Memphis, Tenn., November 4, 2025- The Memphis City Council has confirmed two key leaders for the City of Memphis: Melvin Jamerson as Director of General Services and Colin D. Burress as Fire Chief.
Melvin Jamerson Confirmed as Director of General Services
The Memphis City Council has approved Melvin Jamerson as Director of General Services. Mayor Paul Young appointed Jamerson as director in January 2024, recognizing his experience and commitment to public service, and he has served in an interim capacity since that appointment. The City now celebrates his formal confirmation and continued leadership.
Jamerson has served the City of Memphis for more than 25 years. He brings a wealth of institutional knowledge and a steady, resourceful approach to his work. He has led major facility and infrastructure projects that improve how city departments serve residents. His work includes building renovations, HVAC and lighting upgrades, elevator modernization, and new safety and access systems. Each project reflects innovation, efficiency, and long-term value for Memphis.
“Melvin Jamerson represents the best of public service,” said Mayor Paul Young. “He brings professionalism, care, and consistency to everything he does. His leadership has made our facilities stronger and our city operations more efficient. I am proud to have him continue leading this essential work.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Memphis,” said Jamerson. “Our General Services team works every day to support the departments that serve our residents. Together we will keep improving our facilities and delivering exceptional service.”
The General Services Division manages city facilities, fleet, and key infrastructure. Under Jamerson’s leadership, the division will continue its focus on sustainability, modernization, and operational excellence.
About Melvin Jamerson
A proud Memphian, Melvin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Real Estate and Insurance from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. His commitment to professional growth is reflected in his completion of numerous development programs, including Project Management Foundations, Strategic Foresight, Lean Six Sigma Training, Leadership Development Intensive (New Memphis), and Management 101 (City of Memphis).
Colin D. Burress Confirmed as Fire Chief
Following the retirement of Fire Services Director Gina Y. Sweat, the Memphis City Council has officially confirmed Colin D. Burress as the new Fire Chief for the City of Memphis.
Chief Burress has served with the Memphis Fire Department for nearly three decades, advancing through the ranks and most recently serving as Assistant Fire Chief of Operations. His appointment ensures stability and continuity in leadership as the department continues its mission to protect residents and strengthen emergency services across the city.
“I want to thank the City Council for confirming Colin Burress as our next Fire Chief,” Mayor Young said. “Chief Burress is a proven and trusted leader who brings deep operational knowledge and an unwavering commitment to public safety. I’m confident that under his leadership, the Memphis Fire Department will continue to excel and serve our residents with dedication and professionalism.”
“I’m honored to step up as Fire Chief for the City of Memphis,” said Chief Colin D. Burress. “The Memphis Fire Department has a proud legacy of courage, compassion, and service. I look forward to continuing to support the men and women who protect our city every day.”
As Fire Chief, Burress will lead the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance emergency response, support firefighter and paramedic readiness, and advance operational priorities that strengthen public safety citywide.
About Chief Colin D. Burress
Colin Burress has been a dedicated member of the Memphis Division of Fire Services since September 1998. Throughout his career, he has advanced through several ranks — Fire Private (1998), Fire Driver (2001), Fire Lieutenant (2004), Fire Battalion Chief (2014), Division Chief (2017), and Assistant Fire Chief of Operations (2020).
Chief Burress’s experience includes Fire Suppression, Special Operations, Urban Search and Rescue with Tennessee Task Force One (TNTF-1), and work with the Office of Emergency Management. He currently serves as a Task Force Leader for TNTF-1 and is a member of FEMA’s Blue Incident Support Team.
He serves on the Executive Board of the Fire Museum of Memphis and holds memberships in the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Fire Chiefs Urban Search and Rescue Committee.
Chief Burress is committed to community initiatives, having participated in programs such as the Operation Feed Campaign with the Memphis Food Bank, the State Fire Marshal’s Office Smoke Detector Program, the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, and the Vitalant Community Leadership Council.
An alumnus of Christian Brothers High School, Burress holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from LeMoyne-Owen College, a Master of Science in Operations Management from the University of Arkansas, and a Master of Arts in Homeland Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) and holds the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) designation from the Center for Public Safety and Excellence (CPSE).