NASHVILLE - Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) announced the appointment of Edwena L. Crowe of Oak Ridge to the newly reconstituted Board of Judicial Conduct. The Board of Judicial Conduct was created by the Tennessee Legislature to investigate complaints against judges and ensure accountability and ethical conduct in the judiciary.

“Edwena Crowe is a pillar of this community and a woman of strong ethical character. The Board of Judicial Conduct needs citizens who are able to look at the evidence, make decisions and stand by them,” said Lt. Governor McNally. “Edwena is a highly skilled executive who understands how to make good decisions based on the evidence presented. The Board will be stronger with her contributions. I am confident she will do well.”

Edwena Crowe has served a variety of roles at the Y-12 Nuclear Complex. Currently, she serves as a Director at Consolidated Nuclear Security. Edwena volunteers as a tutor for at-risk youth, is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Heritage Club, and serves on several boards, including the Oak Ridge Playhouse, Oak Ridge Fund of Achieving Excellence Foundation Board, and Men of Tomorrow Foundation.

The current Board of Judicial Conduct was reconstituted by the Tennessee Legislature through Public Chapter 496, amending TN Code § 17-5-101 and went into effect on July 1, 2019. The composition of the board was shifted from a ratio of 10 judges and six public members to a balance of eight judges and eight public members. The change in composition allowed more citizen input while retaining involvement from those in the legal community.

The board now requires a unanimous vote, rather than just a majority vote, of an investigative panel to dismiss a complaint against a judge.

Lt. Governor McNally has four appointments in total to the newly reconstituted board. He also appointed Dan Springer of Memphis, Ben Purser of Brentwood and Judge William Koch of Nashville.