Hill Named Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – State Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens today announced the appointment of Union City, Tenn. native Adam L. Hill as assistant commissioner for policy and legislation for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.    

 

“Adam is a great asset to our department and provides important leadership for us in dealing with a variety of budget, regulatory and legislative issues,” said Givens.  “He brings essential organizational skills to this position and has a wealth of experience in building relationships and working with many different groups and organizations.  We’re proud that he has taken on this additional responsibility.”

 

As assistant commissioner, Hill will serve as the department’s principal liaison to the Tennessee General Assembly and will direct policy and program development in areas ranging from food safety, pesticides, and business regulation to forestry and agricultural market development as well as supervise the Agricultural Crime Unit. 

 

Hill has been with the Department of Agriculture since 2004, where he has served as legislative liaison and budget coordinator.  In his former positions, he was responsible for strategic planning and guided the department’s successful transition to performance based budgeting. 

 

“As a West Tennessean, I have a deep appreciation for and an understanding of the importance of agriculture to our communities and our state,” said Hill.  “The department does so many things to improve the quality of life for all Tennesseans.  I’m excited about the opportunity to serve our citizens and this industry in this new role.” 

 

Prior to joining the department, Hill was a field director for Tennessee Democratic Party during the 2000 general election and has been employed in various agricultural roles over the past 15 years. 

 

Hill is a graduate of Union City High School and has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Murray State University’s School of Business and Public Affairs in Murray, Ky.  He has also studied abroad at King’s College in London. 

 

Hill’s appointment follows last year’s retirement of Patricia N. Clark, who was the first woman to serve as an assistant commissioner of agriculture in Tennessee.  Clark continues to serve the department part-time as a legislative liaison. 

Hill and his wife, Niketa Hailey-Hill of Mayfield, Ky., reside in Nashville where she works as a marketing account executive.