The top officials in the Administration of Governor-elect are being named quickly. As expected, many are continuation of the Bill Lee Administration.
Keep in mind, many have been promised jobs during the course of the campaign and there are plenty of deputy commissioner positions that are highly paid that will be dispensed over the coming weeks in addition to the top jobs. However, some of the direct and implied promises of jobs will not be fulfilled, or will fall short of the expectations of those who acted in reliance upon real or imagined positions in the new administration. In the musical chair game that’s afoot, there are Blackburn supporters who will find themselves standing and disappointed when the music stops.
Among those who are not being disappointed are employees of Ward Baker and his company Baker Strategies. Baker has been appointed to lead Blackburn’s inaugural committee, meaning every dollar donated to promote and conduct that celebration will flow right through his hands.
Amy Pass, who oversaw fundraising for Blackburn is also on the inaugural committee leadership team. Melina Settles, who served as Blackburn’s finance director, and Anna White, a Communications director under Baker, and Mary Morgan Ketchel, Blackburn’s daughter, are also leading the inaugural committee.
There are, however, several other early winners in the formation of the Blackburn Administration. As noted previously, much of the staff at Baker Strategies have already been slotted into positions of power and influence. Some of them will end up working in the Governor’s office, while others will be dispatched to various departments and agencies.
Some of the early top jobs include:
Agriculture Commissioner Andy Holt, a former state legislator, will continue in his role.
Former Williamson County Commissioner and former senior executive at Williamson County based Brookdale Senior Living Centers has been selected to serve as Commissioner of Finance and Administration.
Mark Ezell, previously appointed by Bill Lee in 2019 to serve as Commissioner of Tourism, will continue in that role under Governor Blackburn. He previously held senior leadership positions at Purity Dairies and Dean Foods.
Blackburn has tapped Russell Thomas, the outgoing Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) Director, to serve as her chief legal counsel.
Other announcements from the Blackburn transition team are expected over the next week.
Steve Gill is editor and publisher of TriStar Daily.
