Lee Names Marshall Graves Workforce Board Chair
Gov. Bill Lee appointed Marshall Graves to lead the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board, succeeding Tim Berry.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in People
Gov. Bill Lee appointed Marshall Graves as chairman of the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board, replacing Tim Berry, who led the board for eight years. Graves previously served as the board's vice chairman.
Why it matters
The board provides strategic leadership for Tennessee's workforce development system and advises the governor and state labor department on workforce policies and training investments. The change in chairmanship shapes how education, job training and employment programs are aligned with business needs across the state.
The 33-member board is now chaired by Graves, who has served on it since 2019, following Tim Berry's eight years leading it. The extraction does not specify any changes to board size or structure under the new chair.
The players
Marshall Graves
Marshall Graves is a partner with Stone Door Group and serves as chairman of the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board.
Bill Lee
Bill Lee is the Governor of Tennessee who made the appointment of Marshall Graves as board chairman.
Tim Berry
Tim Berry led the Tennessee State Workforce Development Board for eight years before Graves succeeded him.
The details
Graves, a partner with Stone Door Group, an IT services and consulting firm based in Tennessee, was elevated from vice chairman to chairman by Gov. Bill Lee. He lives in Grundy County.
Timeline
2019: Graves joins the 33-person Tennessee State Workforce Development Board.
- 2026-11-09
Gov. Lee announces Graves's appointment as chairman.
Market Landscape
The Tennessee State Workforce Development Board coordinates the state's education, job training and employment programs with business needs. Leadership changes on the board shape how those programs are directed.
Workers and employers in Tennessee who rely on state job training and workforce programs may see the board's direction shift under new leadership. The extraction does not specify any immediate program changes.
The takeaway
Leadership changes on state workforce boards can reshape how job training connects to employers' needs over time. Readers tracking Tennessee's workforce policy should watch for stated priorities from the new chair.
Further reading
For more on the leaders shaping state policy, see People coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTVCFOX.
