The Town of Nolensville is pleased to welcome Kelly Lancaster as its new Human Resources Director. With almost three decades of experience in both the public and private sectors, Lancaster is recognized for his ability to build strong organizational cultures, drive strategic talent development, and lead with a people-first philosophy. His appointment marks an exciting step forward in Nolensville’s continued investment in its workforce and employee-focused initiatives.
Prior to joining the Town of Nolensville, Lancaster served for ten years as Director of Talent Management for the State of Tennessee. In this role, he was instrumental in shaping leadership development strategies, strengthening performance management systems, and advancing statewide employee engagement efforts.
Lancaster’s professional development includes completion of several of the state’s most respected leadership programs, including LEAD TN, the HR Masters Series, and the Tennessee Government Executive Institute (TGEI), where he was elected by his peers as class president. He also served as President of the Tennessee Government Leadership Council and is a graduate of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), and Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) Citizens’ Academies.
Before his tenure with the state, Lancaster led human resources initiatives at Maury Regional Medical Center—a Baldrige-recognized healthcare system—as the Director of Human Resources. His private-sector experience includes key human resource leadership roles at Smith & Wesson Security Solutions, Healthways, Inc., and multiple startup companies, where he implemented Six Sigma and Lean techniques to create scalable HR frameworks that support growth and long-term success.
Lancaster holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Freed-Hardeman University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a Doctor of Business Administration from Apollos University. He is currently pursuing certification as a life coach and is in the process of writing a book on leadership.
“I am excited to be a part of a leadership team that appreciates the value of its employees and fosters a transparent culture in which employees feel engaged and empowered to do their best work daily for the citizens of Nolensville,” Lancaster said. “I look forward to becoming fully immersed in the Nolensville community!”
Town Manager Victor Lay shared his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Kelly to the Town of Nolensville. His wealth of experience in talent development and strategic human resources will be invaluable as we continue building an organization that supports and elevates our employees. His leadership will make a lasting impact on our team and the services we deliver to the community.”
Lancaster resides in La Vergne with his wife of 34 years, Tammy, an elementary school instructional coach. Together, they have two adult children and are soon-to-be first-time grandparents. He is actively involved in his local church, serving as an elder and college-age ministry leader, and enjoys playing tennis, reading, and playing video games in his spare time.