NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee House on Tuesday voted 90-0 for a resolution honoring Chattanooga Times Free Press Publisher and Executive Editor Tom Griscom, who is leaving the newspaper June 30.
In House Resolution 449, sponsored by Rep. Gerald McCormick, R-Chattanooga, lawmakers commend Mr. Griscom "on his extraordinary career and tenure as the publisher and executive editor of the Chattanooga Times Free Press and extend to him our heartfelt wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement and every continued success in his future endeavors."
Mr. Griscom became executive editor of the Times Free Press in 1999 after the Chattanooga Free Press and The Chattanooga Times merged under the ownership of Walter Hussman. Mr. Hussman later named him publisher.
Mr. Griscom, a 1971 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga graduate, worked as a political reporter for the Chattanooga News-Free Press, covering the state Capitol.
He served as U.S. Sen. Howard Baker's press secretary and as White House director of communications when Sen. Baker was chief of staff for President Ronald Reagan.
Mr. Griscom worked in public relations for several prominent firms and was the first holder of the West Chair of Excellence in Communication at UTC.
He also has served as chairman of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and president of the Tennessee Press Association.