July 1, 2003

NASHVILLE, TN - Tennessee Regulatory Authority (TRA) Director Deborah Taylor Tate assumes the role of the TRA Chairman on Tuesday July 1. The TRA Chairmanship rotates among the four TRA directors on an annual basis

A licensed attorney and Rule 31 approved mediator in the state of Tennessee, Tate was appointed to the TRA on February 1, 2002, and confirmed by the Tennessee General Assembly. She succeeds current TRA Chairman Sara Kyle.

A native of Murfreesboro, Tate received both a B.A. and J.D. from U.T.-Knoxville and also attended the Vanderbilt Law School. Prior to her appointment to the TRA, Tate served as director of the State and Policy Center at Vanderbilt University and on the senior staff of both Gov. Lamar Alexander and Gov. Don Sunquist.

Tate was recently appointed vice-chairman of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) Washington Action Committee, and serves on the NARUC Consumer Affairs Committee and the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

Her staff will include Senior Policy Advisor Mark Reineke, former Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development, and Executive Administrative Assistant Mary Ellen Tate.

An active member of the non-profit community, Tate is co-founder of Renewal House and vice-chair of Cornerstone, Inc. In addition, she has served on numerous other sate, local and national boards. She is married to William H. Tate partner in the law firm of Ruth, Howard, Tate & Sowell, and resides with their children, Will, Taylor, and Carlton Tate.