Butch Eley, who has been Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration (F&A) since 2020, has now been appointed Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Let's hear it for our new boss man! Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Commissioner Butch Eley on his first official day at #myTDOT, we're glad you're here! pic.twitter.com/0rQqd1CYvG
— myTDOT (@myTDOT) June 15, 2022
As Transportation Commissioner, Eley will “lead strategic infrastructure modernization to prepare the state for continued growth,” according to a press release by Governor Lee’s office.
I'm announcing the appointments of Deputy Governor Butch Eley to also serve as Commissioner of @myTDOT & Jim Bryson to serve as Commissioner of @TNDeptofFandAhttps://t.co/vBBUFKh3y2 pic.twitter.com/VTwwPC9FRD
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) May 5, 2022
“As Tennessee experiences unprecedented growth, we’re prioritizing record investments to modernize infrastructure and prepare our state for the future,” Governor Lee said in a statement. “Butch’s significant private sector experience and service as our chief financial officer make him well-positioned to lead the Department of Transportation during this critical time for Tennessee’s development.”
Eley is taking over for Joe Galbato, who was serving as the transportation department’s interim Commissioner.
Interim Commissioner Galbato, thank you for all the EPIC work you led the department to accomplish as our interim Commissioner, all while still managing your role as CFO.
We’re excited to welcome Butch Eley as TDOT’s new Commissioner. #myTDOT #WeAreEPIC pic.twitter.com/yaZezSwH6a
— myTDOT (@myTDOT) June 15, 2022
“We’re excited for Commissioner Eley to join the department and help us provide citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country,” TDOT wrote on social media. “EPIC things are coming.”
Join us in welcoming Butch Eley as TDOT’s new Commissioner! We’re excited for Commissioner Eley to join the department and help us provide citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country.
EPIC things are coming. #myTDOT #WeAreEPIC pic.twitter.com/3lx20lmDar
— myTDOT (@myTDOT) June 15, 2022
Jim Bryson will succeed Eley as commissioner of Finance and Administration. Bryson previously served as the deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Parks and Conservation for the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
F&A welcomes @JimBrysonTN to the F&A Team! We are sad 😥to see Commissioner Butch Eley go, but he is on the right road at @MyTDOT. We look forward to working with Commissioner Bryson as Tennessee greets the road ahead 🛣️. pic.twitter.com/osk6RB39AG
— TN Dept of F&A (@TNDeptofFandA) June 15, 2022
Butch Eley also currently serves as the deputy governor – being appointed by Governor Bill Lee back in February, as previously reported by The Tennessee Star. As deputy to the governor, Eley assists the governor in his day-to-day duties and acts as a liaison between the governor’s office, the legislature, and the various departments and agencies in state government.
Before joining Governor Lee’s administration, Eley was a founder and CEO of Infrastructure Corporation of America (ICA). Headquartered in Nashville, ICA was one of the nation’s premier infrastructure asset-maintenance management companies, with comprehensive asset management contracts throughout the country. Eley earned both a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Belmont University in Nashville.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
As long as he keeps those Williamson County roads silky smooth…
Sounds similar to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic as it sank.