Christi Branscom serves as the Commissioner of the Department of General Services (DGS) for the State of Tennessee. As commissioner, she oversees all divisions within DGS, including central procurement, which is responsible for all goods purchased and all services contracted by the State; document solutions, which consists of the State’s printing, graphic and web design, document scanning, photography, warehousing and distribution services; real estate asset management and capital project development; and vehicle and asset management, which includes the procurement, management, and disposal of motor vehicles and equipment utilized by the state. In this role, she is committed to transforming public sector general services through innovation, leadership, and best practices.

Branscom is a native of Knoxville, Tennessee, where she began her career in public service. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, Branscom enjoyed a successful career as COO/General Counsel and Principal Managing Real Estate Broker at Partners Development for 25 years before dedicating herself to the public sector. Most recently, she served on the City of Knoxville administration as the Senior Director of Public Works before being promoted to Deputy to the Mayor/Chief Operating Officer – making her the first female to be named to either position in Knoxville history.

While at the City of Knoxville, Branscom spearheaded a large number of visible and complex development projects, including negotiating the deal to transfer ownership of Lakeshore Park from the state to the city and preparing it for development; hammering out an agreement for Regal Entertainment Group to move its headquarters to the South Waterfront; and planning and overseeing construction of the city’s new Public Works Service Complex.

Before joining the City of Knoxville, Branscom established Grace Construction in 2003. The company was selected as the builder (and the first woman-owned company) for the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition production in Knoxville for the Watson Family and Restoration House, which resulted in a two-hour Thanksgiving Special that aired on ABC in November of 2012, and brought together a community of volunteers.

As part of her philanthropic commitment to give back to her community, Branscom has served on the governing boards of many non-profit agencies and arts organizations, including her long-term involvement and support of the Cancer Support Community (CSC). Branscom has raised $25,000 for the CSC by running marathons, and was a 2016 American Cancer Society Hope Gala honoree. Currently, she also serves on the University of Tennessee Haslam College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council, the Leadership Tennessee Advisory Council, the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) Executive Committee, and the Leaders Council for the Women Business Collaborative, Nashville Chapter.

Branscom attended the University of Tennessee, where she graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in finance, and went on to receive a juris doctorate from the University of Memphis. She is a Fellow of the Knoxville Bar Foundation, a recipient of the 2014 University of Tennessee Accomplished Alumni Award, a 2015 YWCA Tribute to Women honoree, and a 2011 Woman of Achievement for the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians. Branscom is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Knoxville and a 2017 graduate of Leadership Tennessee. Most recently, she was named by NASCA as one of five new female state chief administrators to watch.