Nashville Community Oversight Staff

Jill Fitcheard serves as the Executive Director of the Metro Nashville Community Oversight and began her working career as a Police Officer with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. While there, she worked in various roles with assignments in Patrol, Narcotics and Special Investigations, and Special Operations. After moving to Nashville in 1996, Jill enrolled at Tennessee State University where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice and minor in Psychology.

Jill has served the Nashville Community for many years and has held multiple positions that allowed her to engage and connect with the city’s residents in many different capacities. She has worked for the Private Sector, the City of Nashville, and the State of Tennessee where she was able to hone her skills of the Criminal Justice System. She has held leadership roles during her career and has had positions as a Case Manager, Probation/Parole Officer, Chief Criminal Investigator and Criminal Justice College Instructor. Jill loves animals, all water-related activities, spending time with her family, and can be found at a museum or art gallery in her spare time.

Gavin Crowell-Williamson joined MNCO as a research analyst in August of 2021. Prior to his current role, he worked for Metro Nashville’s Office of Arts and Culture, where he was a research and evaluation coordinator. He received his Master of Education in Community Development and Action from Vanderbilt University in May of 2021. His thesis investigated the ‘Restorative Arts’ programming occurring in the Davidson County Juvenile Detention Center. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Knox College in 2016, after which he worked at the University of Washington, studying the prevention of addiction-related suicide.

A native of Chicago, Gavin has great pride in his hometown. Outside of work, he is usually playing or watching sports, cooking, or exploring East Nashville.

Vernon Johnson was born and raised in Maryland and moved to Nashville after serving seven years in the U.S. Army, where he obtained the rank of Sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1997. That same year Vernon was hired by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, where he served on the Flex and Crime Suppression Units before being promoted to Sergeant. After 13 years with the police department, Vernon worked for the United States Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan protecting U.S. personnel abroad. Vernon received his B.A. in Management and M.B.A. from Trevecca Nazarene University. Vernon is also a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership at Trevecca.

Vernon enjoys spending time with his family; he is an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and collects football cards as a hobby.

Marian Pinson joins the MNCO as the new administrative assistant. She is a native Nashvillian who has spent her entire career working to serve the Nashville community. She previously worked for the State of Tennessee for many years and in the Non-profit sector, with positions at the Greater Nashville Regional Council on Aging & Disability, and The Next Door. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Studies from American Baptist College and graduated cum laude. She earned a Master of Divinity from Vanderbilt University and obtained a graduate certificate with honors in Non-profit Management from Tennessee State University.

She enjoys traveling, attending church, spending time with family and friends, and helping others through community service engagements.

Amy Simmons is a native of Mississippi, but Nashville has been her home since 2006. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Master of Science degree in Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix. After moving to Nashville, Amy worked with the State of Tennessee Board of Probation & Parole as a Pre-Sentence Investigator. Amy has also worked with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department as a Police Officer Coordinator and with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Prior to joining MNCO Amy worked with the State of Tennessee, Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities as an Investigator.

April Williams is currently an investigator for Metro Nashville Community Oversight. Born and raised in Nashville, April currently resides in the North Nashville area. April knew early on her purpose in life was a career in criminal justice. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and her Master of Education in Special Education from Tennessee State University. After graduation, she gained employment with the State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services, working with at-risk youth in various program areas such as Juvenile Justice.

April enjoys spending quality time with her teenage daughter, working in her church, and working on community service projects through her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, INC.