Tennessee Names First Female State Architect

Earlier this year, the State Building Commission voted unanimously to appoint Ann McGauran as Tennessee State Architect. With the appointment, McGauran becomes the first woman to serve the state in this capacity since the position was first created in 1955.

McGauran is a senior architect with more than 25 years of architectural and project management experience. Since 2014, she has worked at the Tennessee Department of General Services, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Business Operations. McGauran has substantial experience as an architect in the private sector, including with Vanderbilt Medical Center, where she worked as a project manager and in other capacities.

The State Architect and staff serve as support for the functions of the State Building Commission and also provide oversight for all capital projects and real estate transactions that are under authority of the State Building Commission.

The motion to appoint McGauran as State Architect was made by House Speaker Beth Harwell, who currently serves as the first female Speaker of the House in Tennessee history.