KTA Representative
Debbie Helsley - At Large Seat B
210 Ailsie Dr
Knoxville, TN 37920
865-789-8875
[email protected]
Term ends: December 2027

Debbie Helsley is a South Knoxville native who served as the first president of the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association. She retired from Bell South/AT&T after 32 years of employment in a variety of positions. She served as president of the Communications Workers of America Local 3805 for over 15 years and served as vice president of the Tennessee AFL-CIO. 

Appointed by Mayor Madeline Rogero, Debbie served on the Civil Service Merit Board for 10 years. A graduate of both Leadership Knoxville (2007) and CAC Community Leadership (2009), Debbie served six years on the United Way Board of Directors, where she served three years on the executive committee and twice as chair of the labor participation committee. 

In 2022, Debbie was the Democratic nominee for Knox County Mayor. In 2023, Debbie was elected to represent the City of Knoxville At-Large with 71% of the vote.

Debbie remains involved with the South Woodlawn Neighborhood Association, Knoxville SOUP, and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through the Knoxville-Knox County CAC.

Debbie Helsley was sworn in as a City Council member on December 16, 2023.

She is the current City Council Representative on the Knoxville Transportation Authority Board.

Swearing in ceremony of Debbie Helsley on December 16, 2023.