UT alumnus Larry Martin has been named by Governor Bill Haslam as interim Finance and Administration Commissioner. He will take the helm of the state’s Department of F&A on Monday, June 1. Current Commissioner Mark Emkes retires May 31.
“Under Gov. Haslam, Tennessee has taken incredible steps toward making state government more responsive to its customers, the taxpayers, and I want to thank him for this new opportunity to serve the state,” Martin said.
Martin, 65, has served as an adviser to Haslam throughout his tenure as Mayor of Knoxville and as Governor. He will serve in the interim role until a replacement has been selected.
Prior to pursuing public service, Martin was an executive of First Horizon/First Tennessee Bank. He joined the company in 1969 and served in various capacities. He moved to Knoxville in 1987 when he was named president of First Tennessee Bank Knoxville. When he retired, he was serving as chief operating officer for First Tennessee Financial Services with responsibility for all Tennessee Regional Bank Markets; Merchant Services Processing; Hickory Venture Capital; and the Commercial, Corporate, and Middle Market Divisions of the bank.
A native of Jackson, Tenn., Martin received his bachelor of science from the University of Tennessee’s College of Business. Throughout the years, he has been involved in many community activities, including the University of Tennessee Foundation.
“I am grateful that Larry has agreed to step into this position and serve Tennessee taxpayers in this capacity,” Haslam said. “He has been critically important in helping us establish the systems and organizational structure to begin recruiting, attracting and retaining the best and brightest to serve in state government, and I look forward to continuing to work with him as interim commissioner of F&A.”
The search for a permanent replacement is ongoing.
Tags: Finance and Administration, Governor Bill Haslam, Larry Martin, Mark Emkes