Project Transformation Tennessee Announces Interim Executive Director

NASHVILLE (March 8, 2023) – Project Transformation Tennessee is pleased to announce The Reverend Tom Laney has been named Interim Executive Director, following the departure of founding Executive Director Courtney Lawson.

Tom retired in 2022 after serving 37 years as a pastor in the United Methodist Church in Georgia and Tennessee, including West End United Methodist Church in Nashville. Most recently, he served as the Associate Director of the Tuner Center for Church Leadership at Vanderbilt Divinity School. His work has included leadership development for clergy and consulting with congregations to assist them in managing church conflict, staff development, and vision discernment.

“Tom’s passion for Project Transformation, our mission, and supporting our team is crystal clear,” says Project Transformation Board Chair Scott Medsker. “His knowledge of Project Transformation, his life-long service to the United Methodist Church, and his leadership skills all make him the perfect individual to help lead Project Transformation through this transition.”

Tom received his B.A. degree in American History from Yale College and his M.Div. from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Tom and his wife, Drew (Johnson), have two grown children. Their daughter, Rachel and her husband, Allen Jarvis, live in Atlanta. Their son, Johnson, is an attorney in Nashville.

Project Transformation’s Board of Directors is excited to work with Tom during this time of organizational transition until a permanent Executive Director is announced.

Project Transformation’s mission is to transform communities by engaging children, college-age young adults, and churches in purposeful relationships.