Bredesen Appoints Three to the Tennessee Board of Regents

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced three appointments to the Tennessee Board of Regents, which oversees a system of six state universities, 13 community colleges, and 26 technology centers with a combined annual enrollment of more than 200,000 students.

 

Named to the Tennessee Board of Regents today were Tom Griscom of Chattanooga, Emily J. Reynolds of Nashville, and Danni Varlan of Knoxville. They will fill positions created by the resignation of three members – Pamela P. Fansler, Judy T. Gooch, and J. Stanley Rogers – who volunteered to step down from their positions on the Board of Regents.

 

“I want to thank the three former members of the Board of Regents for their honorable service and their contributions to higher education and the state of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Pam, Judy and Stanley are true heroes, both for their service to the Board of Regents and for their willingness to help me reconcile issues that have been raised regarding the makeup of the Board. These three individuals have more than 20 years of combined service to the Board of Regents and have always acted in the best interests of the students and faculty of these institutions.”

 

Rogers was first appointed by Governor Ned McWherter and served on the Board of Regents for 16 years. During his tenure he held the position of vice chairman of the Board and helped govern the system during a period of significant enrollment growth. Rogers participated in the hiring of the majority of current presidents and directors at universities, community colleges and technology centers.

 

Fansler served on the board for three years and most recently served as chairman of the Finance and Business Operations Committee. Her responsibilities have included managing the Regents system budget during difficult economic times. She has also overseen the Board’s management of its capital budget and capital outlay priorities.

 

Gooch served on the Board for five years and devoted a significant portion of her service as an advocate for the state’s 26 Technology Centers. She served as chairman of the Technology Centers Committee and was a champion for increasing the awareness of the important role Technology Centers play in the state’s higher education system.

 

“I appreciate the willingness of those appointed today to serve the state in this important capacity,” Bredesen said. “These individuals will help the Board oversee the TBR system and direct our efforts to achieve the goals of the Complete College Tennessee Act.”

 

Tom Griscom recently resigned after 11 years as executive editor and publisher of the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper. Griscom’s previous experience includes serving as director of communications for President Ronald Reagan, press secretary for Senator Howard Baker, and he has taught at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Griscom graduated from the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.

 

Emily Reynolds served as secretary of the U.S. Senate, was chief of staff to Senator Bill Frist, and served as special assistant to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Howard H. Baker. Reynolds is currently Senior Vice President of Government Relations at TVA. Reynolds graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. 

Danni Varlan is president of East Tennesseans for Airfare Competition, which works to bring competitive air service to McGhee Tyson Airport. She has served as program director of Leadership Knoxville and is chairman of the board of directors of the Salvation Army and is on the board of directors of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and Habitat for Humanity. Varlan graduated from Georgia State University in Atlanta. 

 

Learn more about the Tennessee Board of Regents at http://www.tbr.state.tn.us/default.aspx.

 

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