TN job gains

More information will be out today from the State Funding Board, but this TFP report on state officials' views indicate we've regained about half the jobs lost in the Recession and it will take a couple more years to pullback even. Comptroller Justin Wilson expresses more confidence. The TFP reports.

Haslam names Revenue chief

Gov.-Elect Bill Haslam this afternoon announced he's named Richard Roberts (left), a lawyer and corporate securities expert, a director of auto parts supplier Miller Industries, and a former SVP with ForwardAir among other transportation-industry roles, to be the new Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Roberts' Forbes profile says he was a keyman for Friends of [former US Senator) Fred Thompson. His bachelor's, MBA and J.D. are all from University of Tennessee. Haslam also recently named former Bridgestone Americas Chairman and CEO Mark Emkes to head Finance & Administration, succeeding Gov. Bredesen's David Goetz, who joined tech contractor Ingenix. Let's see, that's Bill Haslam from the Pilot fuel-services area, Roberts with auto aftermarket and logistics experience and Emkes from Bridgestone. Could there possibly be an Auto/Logistics relocation candidate with whom these three couldn't speak with some authority?

The Bill Haslam Cabinet Watch

Gov.-Elect Bill Haslam has made a number of interesting Cabinet appointments, but has not yet announced -- and, our hunch, is holding for greatest pre-Inaugural effect -- his plans for Revenue and Economic-Community Development. Under Gov. Phil Bredesen, those posts have held great sway in crafting incentives and tax deals to attract companies' investement in Tennessee and jobs-formation. With the General Assembly now somewhat gathered, candidates for the posts can easily be shopped among legislators and caucuses. With the Inaugural just 8 Days away, perhaps the next Governor will release those linchpin Cabinet names, soon..say, somewhere between tonight and the moment the Governor finishes his Inaugural Address.

TNInvestco boosts VC forum

Tech2020's annual Venture Forum gets an added boost this year, with the prospect of an additional pool of TNInvestco funding. The story's here. Y'know TNInvestco's a hit when you have the TN Department of Revenue sporting such a spiffy logo and slogan.