NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Gov. Haslam announced the appointment of Marie Williams as commissioner of
the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
effective October 22. Williams will replace Commissioner Doug Varney who
announced his retirement last week.
 
Williams, 51, started with the department in 2000 and has served as deputy
commissioner since 2011.  As deputy commissioner, Williams has overseen a
transformation in the mental health system in east Tennessee 

She also helped create the department’s Prescription for Success
multi-faceted strategy to tackle the prescription drug epidemic in
Tennessee.
 
“Marie’s passion for helping the mentally ill, the homeless and those with
drug and alcohol addictions inspires her to create innovative, high-impact
programs that make a difference,” Haslam said.
 
Prior to her appointment as deputy commissioner, Williams served as
assistant commissioner of mental health services. 
 
“I am honored and grateful that Governor Haslam asked me to join his team
as Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Services and look forward to continuing the transformative work that
started under his and Commissioner Varney's leadership,” Williams said.
 
A licensed clinical social worker, Williams has a master’s degree in
social work from the University of Tennessee and a bachelor’s degree in
psychology from Austin Peay State University