Photo courtesy Tennessee Department of Correction / Lisa HeltonGov. Bill Lee named Lisa Helton on Monday to serve as interim commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Correction.
She will take the reins at the department Wednesday until a permanent commissioner is named, according to a news release.
“Lisa is a committed public servant, and I am confident she will lead with integrity during this time of transition,” Lee said in the release. “I appreciate her continued service to Tennessee.”
Helton will fill in the slot vacated by former Commissioner Tony Parker, who announced his retirement earlier this year after 38 years of service.
(READ: Haslam names Parker to head Tennessee prison system)
Helton currently serves as the assistant commissioner for the Tennesee Department of Correction and has more than 25 years of experience in the criminal justice field. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University, both in Nashville.
(READ: Visitation suspended at Tennessee prisons due to rise in COVID-19 cases)
– Compiled by La Shawn Pagan