Christine Lapps to Serve as Revenue Deputy Commissioner; Current Deputy to Retire in June

NASHVILLE - The Department of Revenue is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Lapps as its deputy commissioner. Lapps will begin working for the Department on April 22.

“Christine will bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to this position,” Revenue Commissioner David Gerregano said. “We’re pleased to welcome her back to the Revenue family.”

Lapps comes to the Department after working for the past 12 years in state and local taxation at Ernst & Young (EY). At EY, she focused on sales and use tax issues in the Southeast region and served clients in numerous industries, including manufacturing, technology, healthcare, and retail. Prior to EY, Lapps worked at the Department of Revenue in its Legal and Administrative Hearing Offices.  In addition, Lapps was previously a litigator in the Attorney General’s Office, arguing cases as high as the Tennessee Supreme Court.

“It’s an honor to be named deputy commissioner,” Lapps said. “I am very excited to return to the Department of Revenue.”

Lapps will serve for a two month period alongside current Deputy Commissioner Barbara Sampson, a 37-year veteran of the Department who will be retiring in June to spend more time with her family.

“I have been so fortunate to spend my career serving the citizens of Tennessee alongside the very talented and dedicated folks at the Department of Revenue,” Deputy Commissioner Sampson said. “This has been more than just a job; it’s been like family.”

Sampson started working in 1982 for the Department, where she has spent her entire working career. Prior to becoming the first female deputy commissioner in departmental history, Sampson served in numerous audit and executive positions.  

“Few have contributed as much to the overall success of this agency as Barbara Sampson,” Commissioner Gerregano said. “She is a natural leader who has been a mentor to many. We appreciate her selfless service.” 

The Department of Revenue is responsible for the administration of state tax laws and motor vehicle title and registration laws, as well as the collection of taxes and fees associated with those laws. The Department collects about 87 percent of total state revenue. During the 2018 fiscal year, it collected $14.5 billion in state taxes and fees and more than $2.8 billion in taxes and fees for local governments.  To learn more about the Department, visit www.tn.gov/revenue.