Bredesen Appoints Interim State Banking Chief 12/05/2005 Governor Phil Bredesen today appointed Greg Gonzales acting commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions. Gonzales will temporarily fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Kevin Lavender. The department regulates state-chartered banks, credit unions and a number of non-depository institutions. “We’ve made real progress at Financial Institutions, in part due to the work of Greg Gonzales in support of Commissioner Lavender,” Bredesen said. “I am pleased that Greg has agreed to step into this position so we can take time to find the right person to continue the work we’ve started.” Gonzales, a native of Baxter, Tenn., has been with the department for 19 years and currently serves as Assistant Commissioner and General Counsel. In this role, Gonzales is responsible for coordinating the provision of legal advice to the Commissioner and the Department. He also directs the budget, human resource and legislative functions for the Department. Lavender, 44, who was appointed Commissioner of Financial Institutions in January of 2003, announced last month he would leave his position to become a senior vice president at Fifth Third Bank, a national bank not regulated by the department.