Bredesen Names John Morgan Deputy Governor
Friday, January 16, 2009 | 04:32am
NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today named John Morgan as Deputy to the Governor. Morgan replaces outgoing Deputy to the Governor Stuart Brunson, who announced plans to leave the administration earlier this month.
“John Morgan understands the organization and issues of state government as well as anyone I know,” said Bredesen. “He’s intelligent, well regarded and an outstanding leader. He will be a valuable addition to my team, and I’m very pleased he has agreed to continue his service to the state in this new role.”
Morgan is a 31-year veteran employee of the state of Tennessee. In 1999, he was elected Comptroller of the Treasury to replace retiring comptroller William R. Snodgrass and served five consecutive two-year terms as one of the state’s three constitutional officers.
“I’m extremely honored to have this opportunity to work with Governor Bredesen and to help him achieve his goals for Tennessee, particularly in this challenging economic climate,” said Morgan. “I can think of no better way to continue my career in public service than by helping him keep education as our number one priority and focus on job creation, and I look forward to joining his team as we address the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Morgan, 57, is an outspoken advocate for improvements in public education. Financial accountability, professionalism and integrity have been hallmarks of his career in public service. He is a member of the Association of Government Accountants and the American Society of Public Administration.
A Nashville native, Morgan is a graduate of Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. and did graduate work at Louisiana State University. He began his state service as a research assistant for the Legislative Fiscal Review Committee and was a research assistant in the Department of Finance and Administration. He was an administrative assistant to the State Treasurer before joining the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, first as an assistant director and then director of Bond Finance. Morgan was also vice president and director of Public Finance of Third National Bank before returning to state service as executive assistant to Comptroller of the Treasury in 1989 and his election as comptroller 10 years later.
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