Tim Gobble

NASHVILLE - Gov. Bill Haslam is expected to name Tim Gobble, deputy chief for corrections and security with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, to the Tennessee Board of Parole, sources said.

An announcement could come as early as today. Efforts to reach Gobble were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Gobble, a former Bradley County sheriff and East Ridge city manager, is expected to fill a vacancy on the seven-member board.

Bill Haslam

Board members evaluate parole requests for all eligible state inmates serving sentences of more than two years. They also review and make recommendations to the governor on all clemency requests.

The job pays $93,732 a year.

A Republican from Bradley County, Gobble has been in public service most of his adult life. He was a U.S. Secret Service agent and a Cleveland city councilman before he was elected sheriff. In 2010, he ran unsuccessfully for the 3rd Congressional District's GOP nomination.

He later worked as deputy chief for corrections and security with the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office before becoming East Ridge's city manager in spring of 2011. He left East Ridge in February.

City managers in East Ridge often have a short shelf life and Gobble found himself embroiled in several controversies there, including hiring a 19-year-old friend from his church at a $35,000 salary.

He said he was proud that he left the city in good financial shape, and that he implemented several successful programs.

Contact staff writer Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.