Bill Lee is a businessman and seventh-generation Tennessean raised in Franklin, where he still resides today with his wife, Maria, on his family’s farm. He was elected as Tennessee’s 50th governor in 2018 and reelected in 2022.

The hallmark of Gov. Lee’s administration has been an unrelenting drive to expand opportunity, strengthen security, and safeguard freedom for every Tennessean – with a particular focus on the accelerated transformation of rural Tennessee. Under his stewardship, Tennessee has vaulted to #1 in the nation for business climate and been recognized for automotive manufacturing strength, cementing its reputation as the best place in America to live, work and raise a family.

Gov. Lee’s pro-growth agenda has delivered nearly 300,000 new jobs and $46 billion in capital investment since 2019 – ranking Tennessee as the fastest-growing economy of all 50 states. The state’s unemployment rate has repeatedly hit record lows, outpacing the national rate. Nearly half a million new residents have moved to Tennessee during his tenure, propelling the Volunteer State to a top state for net migration. Under Gov. Lee’s leadership, the state poverty rate dropped below the national poverty rate for the first time in state history.

Gov. Lee has made transformational investments to strategically plan for Tennessee’s continued growth, including modernizing road and bridge infrastructure and ensuring all Tennesseans have access to high-quality broadband. 

In education, Gov. Lee has engineered a generational leap forward. His $2.5 billion investment in K-12 includes the largest teacher pay raise in Tennessee history, propelling average salaries into the top half nationally. His landmark Education Freedom Act delivered universal school choice for Tennessee students, serving low-income families and creating generational opportunity across the state. The Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) Act and $1 billion TCAT Master Plan have expanded career and technical training to all 95 counties, cementing Tennessee’s reputation for workforce development.

Fiscal discipline and government efficiency define the Lee era. During the pandemic, Gov. Lee prioritized keeping the state open for business and protecting Tennesseans’ personal freedoms. During his service, Gov. Lee signed the largest tax cut in state history while maintaining AAA bond ratings from all three major agencies. Today, Tennessee’s Rainy Day Fund stands at an all-time high of more than $2 billion. Additionally, Gov. Lee has ensured fiscal responsibility and efficiency by reducing the total number of state employees during his service. 

Gov. Lee secured the nation’s first Medicaid block grant waiver, granting Tennessee unprecedented flexibility to innovate healthcare delivery. His nuclear energy recruitment strategy has positioned the state as the epicenter of next-generation power. To conserve the state, Gov. Lee has created the most Tennessee State Parks of any administration, while making significant investments to protect our state’s beauty and natural resources, from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Cumberland Plateau and Mississippi River.

Gov. Lee’s commitment to criminal justice reform, the Violent Crime Intervention Fund and key local partnerships have strengthened public safety statewide. The Governor’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative – created during his tenure – has driven innovative programming and mobilized thousands of volunteers, complementing First Lady Maria Lee’s Tennessee Serves initiative to support Tennesseans in need.

Gov. Lee is the father of four adult children and 11 grandchildren. He and First Lady Maria Lee are people of strong faith. They are active in numerous faith-based ministries, which have taken them all over the world to serve people in need, including to Africa, Haiti, Central America, and the Middle East. Together, they remain grounded in faith, family, and the firm belief that Tennessee’s best days are ahead.

The Belonging Co is a church based in Nashville, TN. Since its inception in 2014, the church has become known as a place to find freedom, breakthrough and healing through God’s word, His presence, and through worship. Known globally for songs including ‘Peace Be Still’, ‘Mighty Name of Jesus’ and ‘The Joy’, the heart of The Belonging Co is that every song released would empower both individuals and the collective body of Christ to encounter Jesus. For more information, visit www.thebelonging.co

Nicole C. Mullen has long been known as an undeniably talented artist who is unafraid to be vulnerable and transparent with her audience. She continues a legacy of sincerity and artistic integrity that in the past has been recognized with two Grammy® Award nominations and nine Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including two Female Vocalist of the Year honors, Song of Year for “Redeemer, and On My Knees”,the Urban Album of the Year for “Everyday People ”, Contemporary Song of the year (Call on Jesus), and the first African American female to win Songwriter of the Year for Redeemer.

Nicole, has been familiar with broken relationships. She can relate to those who have walked through abuse, betrayal, and heartache. She has learned to forgive and come out of a ‘night season’ stronger than she’s ever been before. Nicole is the mother of 3 beautiful grown children, one daughter in love and her 1st grandson. “I want people to be healed, released, empowered, and encouraged. I want them to see the power of Redemption and the relevancy of the Scriptures in our everyday living. I want to explore every avenue available to express this truth.”

A 2019, the former Host of Regis and Kathie Lee, and NBC’s The Today Show, Kathie Lee Gifford along with Nicole C. Mullen, recorded a song they had written together, entitled “The God Who Sees.” Gifford soon became one of Mullen’s biggest cheerleaders and personally spent close to a half of a million dollars to add a 60 piece orchestra to the song and shoot a twelve-minute film to their oratorio.

It solely features Nicole in the Holy land, speaking and singing of God’s loving interaction with broken and hurting Biblical characters, whose stories are relevant to our own. During the collaboration, Kathie wrote a considerable portion of the song’s lyrics:

While Nicole’s most significant contribution was writing the narration in between the singing. The majority of it came directly from the heart of a “Bible Nerd” (as she refers to herself) as Nicole stood behind the microphone. These are the stories later expressed by Nicole, before the cameras and Directed by Kathie Lee. The music film can be seen at www.GodWhoSees.com.

Mullen continues to tour around the globe, becoming a highly sought after speaker and singer. Her ministry and travels include France, Belize, England, Jamaica, many nations on the continent of Africa and throughout the USA. Although there is a buzz over what Nicole is currently doing, the conversation and request always include Redeemer.

The song Redeemer was released to the public in the year 2000. It has not waned in the response it has always received. The stories shared about its effects are countless, some even miraculous and it further confirms that although Nicole is the sole writer, it’s origin is timeless and from above. Nicole Started as a Background singer for Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Cece Winans, and The Newsboys. In the past, she frequently graced the stages of Dr. Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, and Women of Faith events. Nicole can now be seen speaking and singing on platforms which include governors, Heads of State, people in business, prisoners, women’s conferences, churches, and non-profits.

She has appeared on The Today Show, Table Talk on Daystar, Life Today with Shelia Walsh, multiple recordings On TBN Praise broadcasts of “Better Together” with Laurie Crouch, and other media outlets. Nicole is scheduled to be featured in a 2025 Release Film titled “The American Miracle” based on the Best Seller written by Michael Medved.