<p>NASHVILLE Gov. Bill Haslam appointed former IBM executive Greg Adams as state government's first chief operating officer, a new title that will at least for now replace the long-standing office of deputy to the governor.</p><p>Claude Ramsey is retiring as deputy to the governor Aug. 31 and returning to Chattanooga where he was Hamilton County mayor for more than 20 years.</p><p>Haslam said Tuesday the new COO will focus on "efficient and effective" operation of the 23 executive branch departments, and not on policy and politics that are the traditional domain of deputy to the governor.</p><p>Adams will "take the spot but a very different job," the governor said. "Now I've been here 2 years and I realize one of the things that's hardest for me about being governor is I can't spend the time I'd like to with each department."</p><p><a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/jun/25/tennessee-governor-names-former-ibm-exec-as/?CID=happeningnow">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.chattanoogan.com/2013/6/25/253951/Haslam-Announces-IBM-Executive-As-Chief.aspx">Haslam Announces IBM Executive As Chief Operating Officer</a> (The Chattanoogan)</p><p><a href="http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/851b63452dc3419bac6302855a899c96/TN--Haslam-Cabinet/">Gov. Haslam names former IBM executive Greg Adams to new COO position in ...</a> (Daily Journal)</p><p><a href="http://www.wate.com/story/22682791/gov-haslam-creates-new-coo-position-in-cabinet">Gov. Haslam creates new COO position in Cabinet</a> (WATE-TV)</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=d_LF0y0YdDNjCPMi9OKQLt0c8vJrM&ned=us">24 additional articles.</a></p>