NASHVILLE – Gov. Phil Bredesen today named state Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely to serve as deputy governor effective Oct. 1.
Niceley replaces John Morgan, who on Friday was named as the next chancellor of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of higher education.
In a news release, Bredesen called Nicely “a strong leader who knows the operation of state government and knows how to manage large organizations and complex issues.”
He noted Nicely has served in several executive roles during his tenure in public office and “he’s the right person to help me during the remainder of my time as governor.”
In addition to serving as transportation commissioner, Nicely took over as interim commissioner of the Safety Department when the then-scandal plagued agency was in crisis. He previously worked for Bredesen when he was Nashville’s mayor.
Nicely said he will work to implement education reforms currently under way “as well as keeping our momentum in creating jobs and recruiting businesses to Tennessee.”