Cookeville business owner Cigi England and Kelly Parkison secured seats on the Cookeville City Council during Thursday night’s election, bringing backgrounds in local business and community service to the five-member board, joining Mayor-Elect Chad Gilbert, Vice Mayor Luke Eldridge and Ali Bagci. Cookeville City Council Member-elect Cigi England said the campaign process was a completely new experience that resulted in a mix of excitement and uncertainty. England said her background as a local business owner for 12 years and her work co-founding a nonprofit organization helped her connect with voters during the election cycle. England said she believes her history of investment in the town through various local nonprofits resonated with the community. Cookeville City Council Member-elect Kelly Parkison said she spent the campaign period acting as a student of the city to research internal government operations.