NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty announced key appointments today to the Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission (TFEMC). 

 

Bob Raines, who was most recently serving as interim executive director, is now the executive director. Music industry veteran Hank Adam Locklin will fill the newly created role of director of music and business development.  

 

“The vibrant entertainment industry found in Tennessee is unlike any other in the country and can be an important tool for economic development and expansion,” Hagerty said. “We have a solid team in place at the Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission that is working to cultivate an entertainment sector that is both long term and sustainable.” 

 

When Gov. Haslam’s Jobs4TN economic development plan was unveiled in the spring, the entertainment industry was identified as one of the key clusters in which the state has a clear competitive advantage. The TFEMC will fall under the supervision of Will Alexander, assistant commissioner of Strategy and Innovation, as the TFEMC staff works to capitalize on Tennessee’s current entertainment assets and explores opportunities for the industry’s expansion and job creation.

 

“I look forward to working closely with Bob and Hank along with the nine members of the Tennessee Film Entertainment and Music Commission as we develop strategies that will allow our state’s entertainment industry to thrive,” Alexander said. “The wealth of experience and unique perspectives the TFEMC Commission members and staff offer will help us continue to grow the entertainment sector and forge new paths as we move forward.”

 

Raines has been with the TFEMC since 2002, and has developed extensive relationships with members of the entertainment industry and local communities and organizations throughout the state. In his previous TFEMC roles, he has administered the state's film and TV incentive program, successfully negotiated film, television and music projects, and marketed the unique aspects of doing business in Tennessee to companies throughout the country and around the world. 

 

Active in several entertainment and community organizations, Raines serves on the boards of Film Nashville and the Nashville Film Festival. He also volunteers with the Nashville Screenwriters Conference and served as an official festival judge for the 2011 Southern Appalachian International Film Festival. 

 

Raines holds a degree in Business Administration from East Tennessee State University and an accreditation with the International Association for Management Education. 

 

In his role as director of music and business development, Locklin will identify and strengthen partnerships with Tennessee’s one-of-a-kind music industry. A key objective of the TFEMC going forward will be recruiting entertainment companies to relocate jobs to Tennessee and Locklin will lead the state's efforts in this area as well.  Most recently Locklin was interim executive director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame where he still serves as chairman of the board. He was previously senior manager of Membership and Industry Relations for the Country Music Association, where he was responsible for developing CMA membership and other forms of outreach designed to formulate relationships in and out of the music industry. 

 

Locklin currently serves as vice chairman of the Metro Nashville Tourism and Convention Commission and is a board member of the Women’s Music Business Association. A University of Alabama undergrad and law school graduate, Locklin has previous experience in artist management with Loretta Lynn and Billy Yates and has produced two critically acclaimed albums for his late father, country music star Hank Locklin. 

 

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.

 

###