Robin Bennett named to Tennessee Regulatory Authority

Arkansas-Tennessee Live Blog

NASHVILLE - A Chattanooga businesswoman has been named by House Speaker Beth Harwell to fill a vacant director position on the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.

Robin Bennett currently serves as a vice president and financial center manager for First Tennessee and, according to Harwell, brings to the agency experience in customer relations, business management and federal and regulatory compliance.

Bennett replaces Sara Kyle, who resigned from the TRA in March. The agency regulates investor-owned water and electric utilities, as well as some telephone services.

The mission of the TRA is to promote the public interest by balancing the interests of consumers and monopoly utilities.

"We are pleased to have Robin on the board," said TRA Chairman James Allison in a news release. "Her professional accomplishments, background and particular skill set will be of great value as Tennessee moves to a more competitive environment."

Bennett said she is honored to serve on the agency's five-member, part-time board. The four other directors are all men.

"I'm looking forward to this opportunity to use my experience with consumers to assist the citizens of Tennessee that are served by the TRA," Bennett said.

She becomes the first TRA director with Chattanooga ties since then-Chairman Eddie Roberson, who grew up in Chattanooga but spent decades working in Nashville, stepped down in October 2011.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and the Southeastern School of Banking, Bennett has an extensive background in banking and finance and is licensed to sell securities as well as life and health insurance.

She has served on local boards including the South Broad Redevelopment Group, Junior League of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce's Southside Council. Bennett is also a member of the Chattanooga Bar Association Auxiliary.

Bennett is also a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga.

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