NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Gov. Bill Lee has announced a new interim commissioner to oversee the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Lee, a Republican, said in a Monday news release that Deputy Commissioner Tony Mathews will serve as the temporary head of the agency until a permanent commissioner is named.
Mathews replaces former Commissioner Danielle Barnes, who announced her resignation earlier this year. Barnes has worked in state government for 16 years.
She will be leaving the department for the private sector. Former Gov. Bill Haslam initially appointed Barnes to her post in 2017 and Lee retained her last year.
