William HagertyNASHVILLE - Tennessee's top business recruiter, Bill Hagerty, is leaving the administration of Gov. Bill Haslam to return to the private sector.
Hagerty, the commissioner for the Department of Economic and Community Development, the former head of a Nashville merchant bank and business associate of Mitt Romney,
"Bill has done an incredible job leading our state's business recruitment efforts for the past four years," Haslam said in a news release. "Our goal has been to make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs, and Bill has been key to the successes we've had in attracting new investment into the state as well as continued growth of our existing businesses."
Haslam, who will be sworn in for a second term in January, also said Hargerty will serve as co-chair of his 2015 Inaugural Committee. The governor will name a successor for Hagerty at a later date.
The governor's office says Hagerty, a private equity investment banker, has led a
"landmark recruitment efforts for the state, with Tennessee being recognized this year as the State of the Year in economic development."
Tennessee was recognized last month as the No. 1 state in the nation for job commitments through foreign direct investment.
Under Hagrety's leadership, the governor's office says the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission refocused its efforts to better leverage all three industries and improve industry incentives.
That resulted in the state's recruitment of the ABC television series "Nashville." The television show airs in more than 50 countries and touches millions of viewers every week.
In the news release, Hagerty said it was a "distinct honor" to serve Haslam "on behalf of the people of Tennessee. The exceptional team we assembled executed one of the most aggressive economic development programs in the world."
Hagerty's name is often mentioned as a possible Republican candidate for governor in 2018.