Greenville County Assistant Administrator Tee Coker will assume the role of Simpsonville city administrator May 19.

Simpsonville City Council voted 7-0 to award a 4-year contract to Coker at the Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday night. Coker said he was honored for City Council to entrust him with leading the City.

“I want to thank Simpsonville City Council and Mayor Paul Shewmaker for having the confidence in me to serve as Simpsonville city administrator,” said Coker, who has been the Assistant Greenville County Administrator for Community Planning & Development since January 2022. “There is so much excitement in the Simpsonville community for the success it has had in recent years and the success it will continue to have. I look forward to working with City Administrator Dianna Gracely, City Council, department heads, and staff to ensure a smooth transition for all, and I am excited for the privilege of simply serving Simpsonville.”

Mayor Paul Shewmaker formed and served on the ad hoc search committee to fill the position.

“We had a very strong field of candidates because Simpsonville is clearly the place to be,” said Shewmaker, who formed the search team at the January Committee of the Whole meeting. That committee ultimately led to the selection of Coker. “Mr. Coker stood out as a great fit, and I’m delighted that he is bringing his strengths and expertise to our city. His involvement in developing our Downtown Master Plan before he went to work for the county is especially important. Mr. Coker will help us write the next great chapter in the Simpsonville story.”

Coker will be the successor of current Simpsonville City Administrator Dianna Gracely, who earlier this year announced her retirement after 33 years of public service, seven of which were spent with Simpsonville. Gracely said Coker’s unique experience, education and skillset will serve the Simpsonville community well.

Coker has a Master of Arts in City & Regional Planning, Clemson University (2010), a Master of Arts in History, Clemson University (2005), Bachelor of Arts in History, Furman University (2001), Magna cum Laude.

“Mr. Coker has spent a large part of his career elevating cities throughout the region and Greenville County and can now focus his talents on continuing to enhance Simpsonville’s quality of life and business environment,” said Gracely, whose tenure ending June 30 will run concurrently with Coker’s once his contract goes into effect May 19. 

Coker and Gracely will work together this spring to ensure a smooth transition as the fiscal year ends. 

According to Ward 5 City Councilman Tim Pinkerton, " The immediate challenges he will face will be the future streetscape project that will disrupt traffic and businesses during construction. That along with the potential sale and development of the old city hall property will change the landscape and future development of downtown Simpsonville. He will also have to get up to speed on the City’s major operations including Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Fire Department and Police Department.

I look forward to working with Mr. Coker on Simpsonville’s growth and enhancements of infrastructure needs that the City requires to operate safely and efficiently".

Chad O'Rear, Ward 1 Councilman offered these comments, " Growth and infrastructure are the two main concerns. I’d like to see him work with Council to assure any growth in Simpsonville is “smart” and in the best interests for the citizens of Simpsonville. For me, I would like see transparency in all he does (to the extent that law allows) and I believe he will be that kind of leader".●