Bill Haslam

Bill Haslam, born on August 23, 1958, in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a prominent American businessman and politician. He served as the 49th governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019, representing the Republican Party. Before his gubernatorial tenure, Haslam was the 67th mayor of Knoxville, where he made significant contributions to the city's development.

Haslam's career began in the family business, Pilot Corporation, founded by his father, Jim Haslam. He rose to the position of president in the 1990s, following his brother Jimmy Haslam's ascension to CEO. His business acumen led him to serve as CEO of the e-commerce division at Saks Fifth Avenue from 1999 to 2001, after which he became a consultant and served on the board of directors at Harold's Stores, Inc.

In the political arena, Haslam was elected as Mayor of Knoxville in 2003, securing 52% of the vote, and was reelected in 2007 with an impressive 87%. His successful campaign for governor began in January 2009, culminating in a victory over U.S. Representative Zach Wamp and Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey in the Republican primary, followed by a decisive win against Democratic businessman Mike McWherter in the general election.

As of 2023, Haslam's net worth is estimated at five billion seven hundred million USD, making him one of the wealthiest elected officials in the nation. He is also known for his ownership of the Nashville Predators NHL franchise, which he acquired in July 2025, and for being a co-owner of the Tennessee Smokies minor league baseball team. In the fall of 2019, he transitioned to academia as a visiting professor of political science at Vanderbilt University.