Brian Clifford Appointed Deputy Commissioner for Bureau of Conservation

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner David W. Salyers has announced the appointment of Brian Clifford as Deputy Commissioner for the Bureau of Conservation.

A long-serving leader in the department, Clifford served most recently as the first-ever director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation and has been recognized for his guidance in the office’s formation in 2024 as a priority of Gov. Bill Lee. Since its creation, Clifford has helped build the Office of Outdoor Recreation into one of the strongest programs of its kind in the nation, with a particular focus on expanding access to the outdoors.

“Brian’s vision and execution have taken the Office of Outdoor Recreation from a concept on paper to a successful program that is helping more Tennesseans experience and benefit from being outdoors. His leadership and collaborative approach with his team and our partners have helped position Tennessee as a leader in outdoor recreation, economic development and conservation,” Commissioner Salyers said.

As an avid kayaker and mountain biker himself, Clifford has been instrumental in advancing BluewaysTN, an initiative to increase recreational waterways in Tennessee. He has played a key role in the department’s involvement with the Governor’s Annual Rural Opportunity Summit, helping highlight the importance of outdoor recreation, conservation, and natural resources as drivers of opportunity and quality of life in rural Tennessee. Clifford is also a founding member of the Tennessee Outdoor Partnership through which he has brought together public, private and nonprofit partners to support conservation, access, and outdoor recreation across the state.

“I am grateful for this opportunity to help our amazing team in the Bureau of Conservation further their vital work and advance the governor’s belief in the importance of our great outdoors for all Tennesseans,” Clifford said. “I have personally witnessed the impact access to the outdoors can make in a person’s life, and I am proud to help Tennessee continue to lead the nation in balancing conservation and economic growth.”

Clifford began his career at TDEC a decade ago as an attorney where he provided counsel for the Bureau of Conservation. Guided by his passion for the outdoors, he shifted to leadership roles focused on strategy and support of the bureau and Tennessee State Parks.

Before joining TDEC, Clifford was a practicing attorney in Nashville with the firms Littler and Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis LLP. He earned a bachelor's degree from Middle Tennessee State University and law degree from the University of Tennessee.