State finance, business leaders take seats on Music City Convention Center board

In a move that has drawn opposition from Mayor John Cooper and Democratic leaders, three prominent Tennessee business and finance officials have joined Nashville's Convention Center Authority to oversee downtown tourism investment and growth.

Gov. Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 648 into law on May 11, appointing State Comptroller of the Treasury Jason E. Mumpower, State Treasurer David H. Lillard Jr., and Secretary of State Tre Hargett as ex-officio, non-voting members who will join the existing nine-member board appointed by Cooper.

Music City Center President and CEO Charles Starks said the convention center is in the process of scheduling meetings with the newcomers.

"I do know all three of them are well-respected in their fields, just like our existing board members," Starks said. "I've got to believe there's a learning curve for them and us. I think it will enhance the richness of the discussions and what decisions we come to. But I don't think there's any question about the value we bring."

The Convention Center Authority was established with oversight by the Nashville mayor to manage the development and operation of Music City Center, as well as any related investments or projects. The 2.1 million-square-foot convention center is a tourism-industry juggernaut that collected $150 million in downtown hospitality taxes in this fiscal year. Much of those funds will be needed for operations, maintenance and expansion, but Metro Nashville has sought more general operational support from the fund in recent years.

This board change comes amid a series of contentious legislative actions between state Republicans and Democrats, particularly those in Nashville.

Last week, Lee signed House Bill 1197, which reorganizes the Metropolitan Sports Authority board overseeing Nissan Stadium, Bridgestone Arena, and other major sports venues. Nashville's mayor will now appoint seven members of the 13-member board, with state officials appointing six. The governor, House speaker and Senate speaker, each will have two appointments.

The bills affecting the Sports Authority and Convention Center Authority take effect immediately, as per the legislation.

A bill to give the state the majority of the board appointments to the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Nashville and Davidson County has not yet been signed by the governor but has received legislative support. The bill creates a new eight-member board with the governor, House speaker, Senate speaker and mayor each getting two appointments.

State leaders said they anticipate increased investment in Nashville International Airport and other downtown venues, including the new NFL stadium that received $500 million in state bond funding.

House sponsor Rep. Johnny Garrett, R-Goodlettsville, said during an April hearing his support for the airport bill is based on the state's growing investment in the facility.

“The state sees this as a critical investment for the state,” Garrett said. “This has become an authority funded by every Tennessean across the state. It’s important they have a voice on how it’s managed.”

Unlike on the airport and sports authorities, the mayor of Nashville retains all Convention Center Authority board appointments. But the new non-voting members will still wield influence.

Mumpower has served as state comptroller since 2021 and previously represented Sullivan and Johnson counties in the state House of Representatives. Lillard has been state treasurer since 2009, and Hargett has served as Tennessee secretary of state for 14 years.

The appointees can designate a representative to attend meetings on their behalf.

Each board member brings unique expertise to the group, including legal, finance, leadership and hospitality skills.

The Convention Center Authority oversees lucrative tourism taxes and supports the Omni Hotel and other hospitality-industry necessities.

"A great deal of the funding that we get is the state's portion so I think for them to put three people on the board to understand how we're investing and spending money is good," Starks said, adding that he is eager to study expansion as Nashville's tourism star rises.

"If COVID hadn't occurred we were going to do a study and get expansion done. We're back on our feet so I expect we'll have some discussions soon."

Sandy Mazza can be reached via email at smazza@tennessean.com, by calling 615-726-5962, or on Twitter @SandyMazza.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: State finance leaders take seats on Music City Convention Center board