Russell Thomas is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission. He is a strong believer that good alcohol public policy can both promote public health and allow businesses to flourish. Prior to his appointment to the TABC, he practiced law in Nashville. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which represents the highest ranking given to a lawyer by his peers for both professional excellence and ethical conduct and is an experienced litigator with over a decade of trial experience as both an assistant district attorney and in private practice. He is a member of the Tennessee, Nashville, and American Bar Associations. He formerly chaired the Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Committee of the Nashville Bar Association. Russell is married to Mary Beth Thomas and they have three young children. He and his family are active in Westminster Presbyterian Church, enjoy being outdoors on the weekends, and love to cheer on the Tennessee Vols.