NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) — Governor Bill Lee announced Friday that Deputy Governor and Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) Butch Eley is stepping away from his role in the third quarter of 2025 after nearly seven years of leadership.

Eley has been a key figure in advancing infrastructure, financial stewardship and government modernization across the state, according to a news release.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve Governor Lee and the people of Tennessee,” Eley said in the release. “From building long-term systems that better serve Tennesseans, to navigating some of our state’s toughest challenges, I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished. This moment marks not an end, but a pause—a chance to ensure a smooth transition and reflect on how I

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