Senate committee confirms four appointments, including Tennessee Wesleyan president

The Senate Energy, Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on a routine voice vote confirmed four gubernatorial appointments, advancing two to the calendar and approving two that appeared in person.

Tyler Forrest, president of Tennessee Wesleyan University in Athens, introduced himself and answered questions before the committee approved SJR0641 by roll call with nine ayes. Forrest described his higher-education background and his prior administrative experience at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Andrew 'Drew' Goddard, who described a 40-year legal career focused on environmental issues and long service on the Heritage Conservation Trust Fund board, appeared in person to discuss the trust fund’s role in preserving properties under development threat and in providing seed money for local preservation projects. The committee approved his appointment, SJR0643, by unanimous assent.

Two other nominees were considered by biography and voice vote. Committee members read a biography for a reappointment from West Tennessee and for Pete Clawson, chairman of Gulf & Ohio Railways, noting prior TVA and Smithsonian leadership roles; both measures were approved by recorded roll. Committee leadership said one additional appointment would not need to remain for the vote.

Chairman Reeves presided over the confirmations and thanked the nominees for their willingness to serve. The committee recorded the roll for each measure and moved the approved resolutions to the appropriate next step on the calendar.