On November 4, 2021, Joe Galbato was appointed Interim Commissioner of Transportation by Governor Bill Lee. He will head the agency that oversees a statewide transportation system, including highways, rail, airports, waterways, and transit.

Having been with the agency since 2011, Commissioner Galbato also serves as TDOT's Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the Chief of the Administrative Services Bureau. Responsibilities include financial oversight for the department, including budget preparation, budget management, and federal highway reimbursement. This position has responsibility for oversight of eight divisions. Functions include procurement oversight, general purchasing, fleet management, overweight and over-dimensional permitting; administration of Title VI, Affirmative Action and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programs; workforce recruiting, training, and retention; developing of agency goals and performance measures; audit and assurance services, and development of software and technology tools. A crucial role of this position is to provide direction, leadership, and policies on overall governance and fiscal accountability to help protect the financial integrity of the agency.

Galbato took over leadership of the entire agency after Governor Bill Lee appointed TDOT's 30th Commissioner Clay Bright to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee.