Bredesen Names Charles L. Harrison Special Assistant for Recovery Act Administration
Monday, March 09, 2009 | 06:44am
NASHVILLE - Governor Phil Bredesen today named Charles L. Harrison, CPA, CGFM, as Special Assistant to the Governor for Recovery Act Administration. Harrison will lead the state’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“I am extremely pleased to have someone of Charles Harrison’s experience and qualifications to lead our implementation of this important Act,” said Bredesen. “The financial and project management expertise he brings to our efforts will help ensure the funds that come to Tennessee are used to their full potential and that we are complying with the rigorous requirements of the Act for accountability and transparency in its implementation.”
Harrison, who is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Tennessee and is a Certified Government Financial Manager, has served as the assistant to the state’s Comptroller of the Treasury since 1985. In that position he was directly involved with the financial management of state project and contracts, provided accounting, budgeting, information systems and human resources support to the Office of the Comptroller, and advised state departments regarding procurement and contracting issues.
“Charles is uniquely qualified for this role,” said Deputy to the Governor John Morgan, who served as Comptroller of the Treasury from 1999 to January of this year. “His management skills and familiarity with Tennessee state government will allow him to move with the expedience that Governor Bredesen and the federal government expect in implementing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.”
Harrison began his career in state service in 1969, serving in various audit positions in the Office of the Comptroller including legislative auditor, legislative audit manager for financial and compliance audits, and the first chief of the operational audit unit. A graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, he was appointed in 2008 as the state constitutional officers’ representative to the UT Foundations Study Committee and serves on the Metropolitan Nashville District Energy System Advisory Board.
“I appreciate the confidence Governor Bredesen has placed in me to help implement an Act that will speed our economic recovery, create and save jobs, and provide services to Tennesseans affected by the recession,” Harrison said. “It is a great responsibility and a great honor to have the opportunity to continue my career in public service in this new role.”
Harrison will lead a state ARRA task force that includes representatives of Finance and Administration’s budget and information resources divisions, the Office of State Policy and Planning, and designated representatives from state agencies involved in implementation of the Act.