Several prominent Memphis executives, civic leaders and professionals are taking on new opportunities in this week’s Movers & Shakers.

FWS Enterprises announces CEO

Clay Purdom, a shareholder at Martin, Tate, Morrow & Marston, has been named president of FWS Enterprises, the newly formed Frederick W. Smith family office that will oversee the Smith family’s investments and philanthropy.

FedEx founder’s family sets up office to manage fortune, donations

Purdom will remain affiliated with the law firm as of counsel, while the firm continues as FWS Enterprises' primary outside legal counsel.

Richard W. Smith, a FedEx executive and FWS vice chairman, said in a news release that his association with Purdom began during their time at the University of Mississippi School of Law and evolved into a decades-long professional relationship.

Smith said Purdom became a trusted adviser to multiple members of the Smith family and provided valuable support following the death of Smith’s father, FedEx founder Frederick W. Smith, in 2025.

Purdom has a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Master of Taxation from the University of Mississippi and is a cum laude graduate of the university’s School of Law.

FWS Enterprises was established in mid-2026 by the heirs of Frederick W. Smith to manage the family’s assets, investments and charitable activities through a centralized family office structure.

Ted Townsend out as Chamber president

Ted Townsend joins law firm as policy advisor

Ted Townsend, former president and CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, has joined Adams & Reese as a public policy advisor in the firm’s Memphis office. He will work in the firm’s Intersection of Business and Government practice, advising clients on economic development incentives, public funding strategies, government relations and public-private partnerships.

Townsend brings two decades of experience in economic development, government and business leadership. During his tenure at the Greater Memphis Chamber, he helped recruit major projects including xAI’s Memphis supercomputer facility and Ford’s BlueOval City development.

He previously served as deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and held economic development leadership roles at the University of Memphis.

Townsend earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from the university and completed the Education for Ministry program at the University of the South (Sewanee). He has held leadership roles with several business and economic development organizations, including New Memphis, LifeScience Tennessee, the Economic Club of Memphis and the Council of State Governments.

He has been recognized multiple times on the Memphis Business Journal Power 100 list and is a graduate of Leadership Memphis and Leadership Tennessee.

Movers & Shakers: Christ Community Health Services names new leadership

Founded in 1951, Adams & Reese LLP is a national law firm with more than 350 attorneys and advisors in 20 offices across the South and West. The firm’s multidisciplinary team provides legal and government relations counsel across more than 50 practice areas, serving businesses, governmental entities, institutions and individuals nationwide.

Just City names deputy executive director and chief of staff

Just City has named Ruby Powell-Dennis deputy executive director and chief of staff. Powell-Dennis brings experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, fundraising and civic engagement, having led multimillion-dollar budgets, built national programs and founded Elect Black Women PAC in 2020.

She is a graduate of the University of Florida and earned a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University and a master’s degree from the University of Memphis.

Founded in 2015, Just City’s mission is to transform local criminal justice policy and practice, making the legal system fairer, more transparent and more humane for all people, regardless of wealth, race or ethnicity.

Memphis Medical District Collaborative announces promotion

Keesa Rayford Mitchell has been promoted from vice president to chief operating officer of the Memphis Medical District Collaborative. In her new role, Mitchell will oversee the nonprofit organization’s internal functions, with a focus on operational efficiency, organizational infrastructure and long-term sustainability.

Competing bills battle to restrict community bail funds

She previously held leadership positions with the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis, Global Impact and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

Mitchell holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Austin Peay State University and a master’s degree from Strayer University.

Founded in 2016, Memphis Medical District Collaborative is a nonprofit community development organization serving Memphis’ 2.6-square-mile Medical District through workforce development, economic growth, neighborhood revitalization and public-space improvements.

Memphis City Council names chief administrative officer

Takeyshia Johnson has been named chief administrative officer of the Memphis City Council. She brings experience in education, public policy and government affairs, with previous roles at KIPP Memphis, the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Council for Court Excellence in Washington, D.C.

Johnson holds a bachelor’s degree from Spelman College and a law degree from the University of Memphis School of Law, and is a graduate of New Memphis' Fellows program and Leadership Memphis' Executive Leadership program.