Karla Davis
Karla Davis is a former Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development. She was first appointed to the position by Governor Bill Haslam on January 14, 2011[1] and resigned on March 18, 2013.[2]
Biography
Prior to her appointment as Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, Davis was Director of Urban Strategies Memphis HOPE.[1] Davis previously worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for 16 years.[1]
Education
- B.S., Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago
Political career
Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development (2011-2013)
Davis was first appointed to the position by Governor Bill Haslam on January 14, 2011.[1]
Davis abruptly resigned the post on March 18, 2013, citing family reasons. Deputy Commissioner Alisa Malone also resigned the same day. While Gov. Bill Haslam's press secretary suggested that there were no other reasons for the resignations, the department had been a source of controversy under their leadership.[3]
In fall 2012, Don Ingram, a former longtime departmental administrator, filed suit against Davis, alleging she fired or forced out many longtime employees, himself included. Ingram's complaint implied racism, stating that "virtually every one of the employees who were terminated or forced out" was "Caucasian" while "virtually all of their replacements were of African-American descent."[4] Ingram also cited the controversial hiring of Turner Nashe as assistant Administrator of the Division of Employment Security. Ingram said he first raised concerns over Nashe, who was under indictment in Ohio, when Nashe began to work part time for the department. Nashe joined the staff full time around the same time the charges were dismissed in November 2011. Nashe also resigned his position.[5]
Appointments
2011
Davis was first appointed as the Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development by Governor Bill Haslam on January 14, 2011.[1] Haslam said of Davis, "Her focus on helping to revive communities and families shows her commitment to making our state a better place, and I’m honored she is a part of the team.”[6]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Davis and her husband, Terence, live in Memphis, Tennessee.[1]
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Tennessee Commission of Labor and Workforce Development, "Davis Biography" accessed November 23, 2012
- ↑ The Tennessean, "TN Labor chief Karla Davis, two others step down," March 19, 2013
- ↑ The Commercial Appeal, "Top two officials in Tennessee Department of Labor resign," March 18, 2013
- ↑ Times Free Press, "Karla Davis quits Tennessee labor post," March 19, 2013
- ↑ The Tennessean, "TN Labor chief Karla Davis, two others step down," March 19, 2013
- ↑ Chattanoogan, "Haslam Names Karla Davis Labor And Workforce Development Commissioner," January 14, 2011
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by ' |
Tennessee Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development 2011-2013 |
Succeeded by Burns Phillips |
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