NASHVILLE (AP) - Gov. Bill Haslam has named Robert E. Oglesby to become the new commissioner of the state Department of General Services.
Oglesby, who currently serves as state architect, will replace Steve Cates, who is leaving the Cabinet on Aug. 20 to return to private business.
The state architect heads the staff of the State Building Commission and is responsible for supervising development projects for public building and land. Oglesby was previously the president of Nashville-based EOA Architects.
Cates has faced criticism during his 2 1/2 years as commissioner, first for his role in evicting Occupy Nashville protesters and more recently for overseeing a plan to outsource management of most state offices.
The $38 million management contract went to Chicago-based Jones Lang LaSalle, the same firm that recommended the change.