Earl R. Taylor was appointed to the Tennessee Public Utility Commission as Executive Director in 2012 by Governor Bill Haslam, House Speaker Beth Harwell, and Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and has been subsequently reappointed by the Commissioners.

Taylor received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and a Juris Doctor from the University of Memphis School of Law. He began his career as an attorney in his hometown of Johnson City.

Later professional endeavors included the development of WKXT-TV, the CBS Television affiliate in Knoxville, and the subsequent launch of the Warner Brothers affiliate in the same market. Most recently, Taylor has been a franchisee of Panera Bread, developing bakery-cafes in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.

Actively engaged in his community, he has served as a mentor in the Knoxville Fellows program, as a commissioner for the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, and on the Knoxville Young Life Committee. As Executive Director of the TPUC, he functions as the Commission’s Chief Operating Officer, responsible for the agency’s administrative duties and responsibilities. Mr. Taylor is married to Sheryl Dawson Taylor. They have four children and 12 grandchildren.

Executive Administrative Assistant: Ashlee Hatfield