Gov. Bill Lee announced Friday that veteran state leader and Deputy Gov. Butch Eley will step down in the third quarter after a nearly seven-year run in the Lee cabinet.

Butch Eley

According to a release, Eley said he wants to spend more time with family and is not describing the departure from the state as a retirement.

Relatedly, Eley will depart as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

The announcement of a successor will be made at a later date, with Eley to assist in the transition, the release notes.

Eley, 65, began his service in the Lee administration as chief operating officer, overseeing 23 state departments and 35,000 employees.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Eley served as the state’s chief financial officer with the title of commissioner of th

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