The Election Commission, after lengthy interviews on Monday, chose Kerry Steelman as the new election administrator.
He replaces Charlotte Mullis-Morgan, who is retiring in early February.
The vote was 4-0. Commissioner Kelvin Scott had left early.
Chairman Mike Walden said, "We had eight outstanding finalists. At the end of the day, we agreed that Kerry Steelman was the best choice.
"We believe he will continue our policy of conducting a fair and impartial election process and serving both the citizens and the candidates."
Mr. Steelman currently works in the office of Congressman Chuck Fleischmann.
He previously worked for former Congressman Zach Wamp.
The election administrator by law makes 90 percent of the salary of the assessor of property.
Mr. Steelman is the son of former Red Bank Baptist Church pastor Dr. Fred Steelman and the brother of Criminal Judge Barry Steelman.