TCA § 4-3-1602 — Commissioner

The department of mental health and substance abuse services shall be in the charge of a commissioner, who shall be appointed by the governor in the same manner as are other commissioners and who shall have the same official status as other commissioners. The commissioner shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor, and the commissioner's compensation shall be fixed by the governor and paid from the appropriation available to such department. The commissioner shall be appointed without regard to residence on the basis of merit as measured by administrative abilities and a demonstrated quality of leadership, and must have a recognized graduate degree as a psychiatrist, doctor of medicine, behavioral scientist, social scientist, educator or other profession involved with human development, human welfare or human relations, with experience in public administration; and shall further have a professional background in the area of mental illness or serious emotional disturbance, and an understanding of the conditions of mental health, human development, human welfare and social services. No person shall be eligible to appointment as commissioner unless such person is at least thirty (30) years of age and has five (5) years of administrative experience, including at least three (3) years of full-time management experience in private enterprise, private practice or public service.