The Tennessee Regulatory Authority directors today elected Sara Kyle as chairwoman.

She succeeds Chattanooga native Eddie Roberson, who served as interim chairman since former TRA Chairman Tre Hargett was appointed secretary of state in January.

Ms. Kyle, who has served on the TRA since 1996, will serve as the chief administrative officer of the agency responsible for regulating private utilities, including AT&T, Tennessee-America Water Co. and Chattanooga Gas Co.

Separately, the TRA also announced today that Dr. Kenneth C. Hill has joined the agency as director. Appointed by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and confirmed by the Tennessee General Assembly last month, Dr. Hill will serve the remainder of the term vacated by Mr. Hargett.

Dr. Hill has been active in communications and broadcasting for more than three decades in various aspects of television and radio. For the past 27 years, Dr. Hill has been affiliated with the Appalachian Educational Communication Corp., in Bristol, Tenn.