Tennessee is about to experience a leadership shift as Gov. Bill Lee has announced the appointment of Matt Van Epps as the new head of the Department of General Services, as reported on the governor's official website. Van Epps is set to take over the reins from Christi Branscom, who will be stepping down at the end of September after devoting nearly six years to serving the state.
Branscom, who began her journey with the Lee administration in January 2019, is credited with managing the DGS with an eye toward efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as she successfully reduced the State's real estate footprint and supervised various capital improvement projects including the historic John Sevier building renovations and the addition of new facilities at several Tennessee State Parks, she is leaving her post praised for her diligent stewardship and having recently received the Top Workplace Leadership Award for mid-sized organizations in Middle Tennessee, as detailed by the Tennessee Office of the Governor.
Her successor, Matt Van Epps, brings a diverse portfolio of public service to the table, including a history with the Tennessee Army National Guard and multiple roles within the Lee administration. As per the announcement on the Tennessee government's website, Gov. Lee expressed his confidence in Van Epps, highlighting his "significant track record of serving Tennesseans" and his readiness to lead the Department of General Services.
