New COO for Jonesboro announced

Press Release – Bill Campbell, City of Jonesboro

Edward J. Tanner, an executive leader and trainer with 21 years experience as a commissioned U.S. Air Force officer, has been hired as the City of Jonesboro’s Chief Operations Officer.

Tanner, a retired lieutenant colonel and Jonesboro resident, was a special ops and combat rescue pilot in multiple combat deployments. But his 25 years in leadership and administrative experience in Air Force operations are what make him perfect for the job, Mayor Harold Perrin said.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Ed because of his background in strategic planning and organization,” Perrin said. “He will be able to assist all of our department heads in accomplishing their goals.”

Tanner, 53, was commander of the Air Force Combat Survival School and held similar positions at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York, and U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the past year he has served as chief of training at Sagacity21, a Seattle-based leadership training program. He expects Jonesboro’s COO position to be a perfect fit.

“When my wife read the job description, she said, ‘That’s you,’” Tanner said. “So I pursued the job, and I’m very proud to be here. Hopefully it will work out that I can do some important things for the City of Jonesboro.”

In nine years as senior instructor of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Tanner developed students to be better citizens dedicated to country and community. He was recognized during Arkansas Career Technical Education as running a “model unit.”

In his years in the military, Tanner was rated Best Branch Chief in training Special Operations, Combat Rescue and Undergraduate Pilot Training. As a helicopter instructor/evaluator pilot, he was rated No. 1 field-grade officer and won the Flying Wing “Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award.”