Administration
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Jeff Long
Safety & Homeland Security
Prior to being appointed Commissioner of the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Jeff Long was elected Sheriff of Williamson County in August 2008. He is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. He received a Doctorate of Jurisprudence Degree from Nashville School of Law. He has served in the criminal justice field for the past 46 years as an Assistant District Attorney for the 21st Judicial District, Special Agent in Charge with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Investigator for the 21st Judicial District, Arson Investigator with the Tennessee Fire Marshall’s Office, Captain with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Hospital Police Officer with the Veterans Administration Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
Throughout his career, Long has received special acknowledgements including the Task Force Against Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Award, John Marshall American Inns of Court, Master Hall of Fame Morris Heithcock Lodge 41 FOP award, and Commendation from FBI Director Williams S. Sessions. He was also awarded the Nashville Business Journal, Williamson County 2013 Impact Award, the 2013 Law Enforcement of the Year by the Williamson County Bar Association, the Sons of the American Revolution Law Enforcement Commendation Medal, and the 2013 Tennessee Sheriff of the Year Award.
Long also had the honor of serving on the Dignitary Protection Detail for Presidents Reagan, Clinton, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush and Princess Anne, daughter of Queen Elizabeth. He is past president of the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association, a current member of the National Sheriffs’ Association and current member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). In 2014, Governor Bill Haslam appointed Sheriff Long to the Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission.
Commissioner Long was appointed Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security by Governor Bill Lee and was sworn in immediately after the Governor in January 2019.
Commissioner Long resides in Williamson County with his wife, Dora. They have two children, Julie and Justin and five grandchildren.
Staff
Deputy Commissioner | Chief of Staff Les Dolente
Les Dolente was appointed Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff of the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security in April of 2022. As the Chief of Staff, Dolente oversees the daily operations within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and leads key strategic business initiatives. Before his promotion, he served three years as the Executive Officer to Commissioner Jeff Long.
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Deputy Commissioner | General Counsel Roger Hutto
Roger Hutto has been a dedicated and loyal state employee for over forty years. He began his career in state government working for the Department of General Services (1976-1983) as a purchasing agent administering various statewide contracts while attending law school. He graduated from law school in 1980; was licensed in 1981, and then transferred to the Department of Safety in 1983 as a staff attorney.
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Deputy Commissioner | Colonel Matt Perry
Matt Perry was promoted to Colonel in December 2020. Prior to his promotion, Perry served as Executive Officer to the Colonel where he oversaw the Support Services Division which includes Fleet and the Tennessee Advanced Communications Network (TACN).
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Assistant Commissioner of Driver Services | Michael Hogan
Michael Hogan was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of the Driver Services division in July of 2022. Prior to his promotion to Assistant Commissioner, he served as the Director of the Driver Services division where he was responsible for overseeing a statewide staff of 335 employees, 45 Driver Services centers and 46 County Clerk partners across the state.
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Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security | Gregory Mays
Gregory A. Mays was promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Homeland Security at the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security in August 2023. He was first appointed as the Director of the Office of Homeland Security in January 2020. Prior to his appointment, Mays had a distinguished career with the United States Secret Service, retiring as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAIC) of the Nashville Field Office.
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Assistant Commissioner of Administration | Russell Shoup
Russell Shoup was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Administration for the Tennessee Department of Safety & Homeland Security in January 2022. He oversees the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, as well as the Budget, Facilities Management, Communications, and Internal Audit units within the department.
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Director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office | Clyde "Buddy" Lewis
Clyde (Buddy) D. Lewis. Buddy was named director of the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) in October 2019. He is a native of Tipton County, Tennessee, has a long career in public service, which started immediately upon graduation from Byars Hall High School in Covington, Tennessee.
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Mission
To serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
Values
Integrity. Accountability. Respect. Professionalism. Partnership. Service. Innovative.