Stephanie Cook honored at retirement reception
By Ken Lay
Stephanie Cook has spent nearly three decades as the City of Knoxville’s ADA coordinator, but she’s not going away.
“I’ve been here a long time, 29 years,” said Cook, who was hired by former Mayor Victor Ashe. “I’m going to take the summer off and then I will do some consulting and I have a couple of projects that I’m working on.
“Just because I’m retiring doesn’t mean that I’m going far away. Just because I’m leaving the city doesn’t mean the city is no longer interested in keeping this work going.”
She’ll retire from the City of Knoxville on June 30, but her career and accomplishments were honored at a retirement celebration on Wednesday afternoon at the Knoxville City Public Works Service Center.
Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon issued a proclamation declaring June 17, 2026, Stephanie Brewer Cook Day.
“Stephanie is a passionate champion for accessibility for all,” Kincannon said. “For three decades, she’s been the city’s leading advocate as we’ve worked community-wide, collaboratively to remove physical barriers and change perceptions.
“Because of Stephanie, Knoxville is a more welcoming, inviting and accessible city.”
Cook spoke briefly and recounted her experience helping make Knoxville Area Transit’s buses accessible.
“I was just helping KAT comply with federal (regulations),” she said. “And I noticed that when I was strapped in to the seat, that you didn’t have anything to hold on to.
“If you were in a regular seat, you could hold on to the top of the seat in front of you, and if you’re in your personal vehicle, you have the bar above your seat, and we all know what that’s called. I have this prop that KAT gave me, the Oh (Crap) Bar.”
Cook went to work for the city in the late 1990s and has been an advocate for accessibility.
Her accomplishments are numerous, and Kincannon vowed that the city would continue the work that Cook began.
“You can’t replace Stephanie, but we will continue to do her work,” Kincannon said.
Knox County ADA Coordinator Carly Pearson regards Cook as a mentor.
“I’ve been the ADA Coordinator for six years, and I’ll miss Stephanie and miss us rolling around the City-County Building. She’s always been willing to roll up there when she was needed.
“I’ve learned a lot from Stephanie.”
Cook will also be honored at Tuesday’s city council meeting.
