Meet the Staff
Dr. Charlie Hatcher, Commissioner
(615) 837-5100 | charles.hatcher@tn.gov
Dr. Charlie Hatcher was appointed by Governor Bill Lee and sworn in as Tennessee's 38th Commissioner of Agriculture in January 2019. Prior to becoming Commissioner, Hatcher served as the State Veterinarian for Tennessee for a decade. In that role, he protected the health and welfare of animals within the state and promoted the marketability of animals and animal products. Hatcher is a tenth generation American farmer and fifth generation Tennessee farmer. Read more
Jeff Aiken, Deputy Commissioner
(615) 837-5103 | jeff.aiken@tn.gov
Jeff Aiken oversees day-to-day operations for the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He collaborates on policy development and supports programs and services ranging from food safety, animal and plant health, pesticides and consumer protection to forestry and agricultural development. Before his post at TDA, Aiken led the Tennessee Farm Bureau as president for six years. Aiken and his wife, Carol, farm with family members and manage their more than 900-acre family operation in Telford, Tenn. Read more
Chris Eaton, Assistant Commissioner for Administration and Grants
(615) 837-5191 l chris.c.eaton@tn.gov
Chris Eaton serves as the chief financial officer for the department and is responsible for budgeting, forecasting, and analyzing, preparing, and reconciling financial statements. He works closely with members of Tennessee’s legislature and manages the department’s budget hearings. Before joining TDA, Eaton was Chief Financial Officer at the Tennessee Public Utility Commission and he previously served on the Fiscal Review Committee of the Tennessee General Assembly. Eaton and his wife, Meredith, live in Hermitage, Tenn. with two sons and five family pets. Read more
Carol Coley McDonald, Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Legislation
(615) 837-5172 | carol.mcdonald@tn.gov
Carol McDonald serves as the department's liaison to the Tennessee General Assembly and directs policy and program development in areas ranging from food safety, pesticides, and consumer protection to forestry and agricultural development. McDonald also works to support youth programs, career and technical education, beginning farmers, and rural health. Prior to joining the department in 2011, she served as an Extension agent in Smith County, coordinating 4-H activities. She has also worked in education and has extensive experience in agribusiness. Read more
Corinne Gould, Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs
(615) 837-5207 | corinne.gould@tn.gov
Corinne Gould oversees internal and external communications and provides administrative support for media relations, policy development and all agency programs. Gould has more than 10 years of experience as a television news producer in the broadcast industry and was recognized with a regional Emmy award and a national Emmy award nomination. She previously served the department as director of communications. Read more
David Arnold, State Forester and Assistant Commissioner for Forestry
(615) 837-5435 | david.arnold@tn.gov
David Arnold is responsible for directing the activities of the Division of Forestry in state forest management, wildfire prevention and suppression, reforestation, landowner assistance programs, forest health initiatives, urban forestry programs and forest inventory. A native of Franklin County, Tennessee, Arnold joined the agency in 1990 as an area forester in Union County. Read more
Dr. Samantha Beaty, State Veterinarian and Assistant Commissioner for Animal Health
(615) 837-5120| samantha.beaty@tn.gov
Dr. Samantha Beaty is responsible for monitoring and protecting animal health in Tennessee. She works with private veterinarians, animal pathologists, and a network of animal disease diagnostic laboratories to identify diseases and make a definitive diagnosis in cases of animal deaths. Dr. Beaty comes to the role with 18 years of veterinary medicine experience, joining TDA in 2016 as a staff veterinarian. Read more
Danny Sutton, Assistant Commissioner for Consumer and Industry Services
(615) 837-5534| danny.sutton@tn.gov
Danny Sutton is responsible for the administration and implementation of regulatory programs affecting consumer protection and safety. His responsibilities include food and dairy; weights and measures; petroleum quality; feed, seed and fertilizers; grain dealers and warehouses; pesticides; plant health; and prevention of youth access to tobacco. He previously served as the Dairy Administrator and has hands-on experience as a fuel quality and food safety inspector. Read more
Andy Holt, Assistant Commissioner for Business Development
(615) 837-5160 | andy.h.holt@tn.gov
Andy Holt is tasked with overseeing operations for the Business Development Division. Holt manages a team of Ag Business Consultants, multiple cost-share grant programs and the Market News & Livestock Grading Program. Prior to his post at the department, Holt was a member of the Tennessee General Assembly for 10 years representing House District 76, which included all of Weakley and portions of Carroll and Obion Counties. Holt and his wife, Ellie, own and operate a diversified farming operation outside of Dresden where they reside with their seven children. Read more
Jay Miller, General Counsel
(615) 837-5341 | jay.miller@tn.gov
Jay Miller directs provision of all legal services to the department for matters requiring representation or counsel, including matters related to licensing and enforcement; public records compliance; legislative and regulatory analysis; policy formation; and human resource functions. Miller also oversees the department’s Agricultural Crime Unit. He previously served as counsel to the department’s Division of Consumer and Industry Services and Assistant Attorney General in the Office of the Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter. Read more
Liz Sneed, Human Resources Business Partner
(615) 837-5115 | liz.sneed@tn.gov
Liz Sneed has served as the department's Human Resources Business Partner with oversight of all human resources functions since 2006. This includes benefits, classification/compensation, employee relations, payroll and HR transactions. Sneed holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. She has completed one year of graduate coursework at Middle Tennessee State University in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Read more