Sharry Dedman-Beard

With over 30 years with the federal government, primarily with the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, Sharry Dedman-Beard was named the Executive Director of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) in November 2022.

Sharry came to TACP with a broad range of experience in conference planning; public affairs; budget management; working with state and federal grants; drafting policies and procedures; and program management and administration. As Law Enforcement Coordinator and Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee, she worked extensively with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the largest federal district in Tennessee, as well as served on many statewide and national working groups and planning committees. She helped coordinate many high-level dignitary visits as well as local and national media events for both the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

Sharry is a native of Lebanon, Tennessee, and has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Middle Tennessee State University, paralegal certificate from Southeastern Paralegal Institute and additional legal studies from the Nashville School of Law.