Jim Hall, who served as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board from 1994-2001 and in the cabinet of former Tennessee Gov. Ned McWherter, qualified on Monday to run for the state Senate seat being vacated by David Fowler (R–Signal Mountain).
Mr. Hall, a Democrat, said he seeks the votes of both Democrats and Republicans and would carry out his duties in a bipartisan fashion.
He said, “My primary purpose in running is to serve the citizens of the 11th senatorial district. One of the reasons I think I can serve them well is working with Gov. Bredesen in his last term as governor to increase funding for education and jobs in Southeast Tennessee.
“Economic development initiatives such as Enterprise South are vital to our community and I will work hard to ensure that the administration supports education and job initiatives in our region.”
As chairman of the NTSB, Mr. Hall "worked tirelessly to improve safety in all modes of transportation. He oversaw a period of unprecedented activity as the NTSB investigated numerous major aviation, rail, pipeline and maritime accidents in the U.S. and assisted in many international investigations," his campaign said.
Mr. Hall served as director of the State of Tennessee’s Planning Office from 1987 until 1992, during which time he oversaw the development of the Drug Free Tennessee program and the Tennessee State Games. In 1992, he took a leave of absence from the McWherter cabinet to manage Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in Tennessee.
Mr. Hall is currently managing director of Hall & Associates, a transportation safety and security consulting firm with offices in Washington, D.C., and Chattanooga. He is a member of the Chattanooga Airport Board and chairman of the Chattanooga Enterprise Center. He is a member of the Civitan Club, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served as a commissioned officer in Vietnam from 1967 to 1973, receiving the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in 1969.
Mr. Hall graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1967 with a baccalaureate of legal letters degree.
Mr. Hall and his wife, Annie, have lived on Signal Mountain since 1975. They are members of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church.