NASHVILLE – Three Democrats on the Tennessee Board of Regents have resigned, allowing Gov. Phil Bredesen today to name three Republicans, including former Chattanooga Times Free Press publisher Tom Griscom, to the higher education board.
Also named to the board was Emily J. Reynolds, a one-time chief of staff to former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. Reynolds is senior vice president of communications at the Tennessee Valley Authority.
The third appointee, Danni Varlan, is president of East Tennesseans for Airfare Competition, which works to bring competitive air service to McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville.
“I appreciate the willingness of those appointed today to serve the state in this important capacity,” said Bredesen, a Democrat.
The three replace Democrats J. Stanley Rogers, Judy Gooch and Pamela Fansler.
Griscom recently resigned after 11 years as executive editor and publisher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press. He previously worked as a director of communications for President Ronald Reagan and press secretary for former U.S. Sen. Howard Baker of Tennessee.
Bredesen has recently come under fire from legislative Republicans for failing to appoint Republicans to the board as required by law. Bredesen has said he was unaware of the provision and would correct it.