Brian Reed officially taking over as Putnam County’s new Solid Waste Director.
Putnam County Mayor Randy Porter said Reed has been training with the department for several months to prepare for the transition. Porter said Reed previously served as the Solid Waste Director in DeKalb County and brings a resume reflecting lifelong service in the industry.
“He has a great resume when it comes to basically life long service inside the solid waste business through his family and through several jobs he had,” Porter said, “He was the solid waste director for Dekalb County.”
Reed replaces Doug Ashburn, who is retiring from the department after 29 years of service. Porter said the county has historically seen long tenures in the position, noting that Ashburn is only the second director he can recall in the department’s history.
“I just want to say I appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of Putnam County,” Reed said. “It’s been a pleasure so far.”
The commission also recognized the departure of Chief Deputy Bob Crabtree, who is leaving the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office to become the chief safety officer at Tennessee Tech. Chairman Chris Rogers said Crabtree has served the county for 30 years, beginning his career in 1994.
“I’m glad he’s going over to Tennessee Tech,” Rogers said. “We’re losing him out of the office, but he’s just going across town to be the chief safety officer for Tennessee Tech, which is super.”
Crabtree worked his way through the ranks of corrections, patrol, and investigations before being named Chief Deputy in 2019. Rogers said Crabtree was the first person from the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office ever selected to attend the FBI Academy.
“He is such a great friend and person and been a great co-worker over the years, even when I was not here at the Sheriff’s Office and before I came back,” Rogers said. “Bob is, as most of you know him, he is a special kind of guy, to say the least.”
Rogers said the move will strengthen the existing relationship between the county and the university. Rogers said having Crabtree in the new role ensures the safety of students and faculty while maintaining a direct connection to local law enforcement.
“It just prolongs everything and make sure we not only keep in all of Putnam County safe, but now we’ve got an in to Tennessee Tech and making sure we’re keeping all of our kids and faculty safe over there as well, just a little bit more,” Rogers said.
