ECD Commissioner to Take Unpaid Leave Of Absence

Hagerty to serve on Romney readiness team through November election
 
NASHVILLE – Gov. Bill Haslam today announced that Commissioner of Economic and Community Development Bill Hagerty will take a temporary leave of absence to volunteer as a member of the Romney/Ryan presidential readiness team in Washington, D.C.
 
Hagerty’s unpaid leave will run from Monday, September 17 through Tuesday, November 6.  Despite the scheduled time away, he will be in Nashville October 18 and 19 to oversee the Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development.
The presidential readiness team is led by former Gov. Mike Leavitt of Utah.  Hagerty served in a similar role for the 2008 presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
 
“Bill’s background makes him a logical choice to serve in this role,” Haslam said.  “He will do a great job.”
 
Deputy to the Governor Claude Ramsey will assume oversight of the department during Hagerty’s leave of absence.
 
“Creating and growing Tennessee jobs is a top priority for our administration, and I appreciate Claude for his willingness to serve in this capacity in the upcoming weeks,” Haslam continued.  “His experience will be an asset to the department as we continue to focus on new jobs in Tennessee.”
 
Hagerty will return to the department on Wednesday, November 7.