Haslam Announces Formation of Blind Trust

Trust Formed Before Taking Office

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam today announced the formation of a blind trust to hold the vast majority of his private investments in a step consistent with his stance during the campaign and his recent Executive Orders.

Waller Lansden Dortch and Davis PLLC attorney Bo Campbell will act as trustee, and the trust includes all of the governor’s holdings except for Pilot Corp. and a real estate investment outside of Tennessee.

Haslam formed the trust before taking office on January 15, and as he did as Mayor of Knoxville, he will not take a salary from the state while serving as governor.

“My Cabinet and I are dedicated to openness, transparency and ethical governing, and the formation of this trust was the next step in preparation for governing in such a manner,” Haslam said. “Tennesseans are very familiar with my relationship with Pilot and know that I’m committed to holding my administration to the highest ethical standards.”

The real estate investment outside of Tennessee was withheld from the trust because it is a property where ordinary tasks of property ownership such as upkeep can be more appropriately handled without involving a legal trustee.

The section on blind trusts from the Tennessee Code can be viewed here.