Image Credit: Lee Beaman / Facebook; The White House / Facebook & Canva
Tennessee Conservative News Staff –
President Trump has nominated a Nashville businessman and Republican supporter for a seat on the Tennessee Valley Authority board for the second time in a year.
Trump is asking the U.S. Senate to confirm former Nashville-area car dealership owner Lee Beaman as a part-time director for TVA, the largest public utility in the country.
In 2025, Beaman was nominated to replace Joe Ritch, who was fired by Trump in April at the same time as two other directors. The board, which usually had nine members, was unable to conduct business until December when the Senate confirmed four of Trump’s nominees: Arthur Graham, Mitch Graves, Jeff Hagood and Randall Jones.
With his first nomination, Beaman faced opposition from Democrats in the Senate, who questioned him about his affiliation with U.S. Representative Andy Ogles.
They also raised questions about two rowhouses he owns in Washington, D.C., which are leased to a non-profit run by his pastor Steve Berger for $1 per year. The organization, Ambassador Services International, rents those homes to members of Congress, including Ogles and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Beaman countered that he never agreed to serve as campaign treasurer for Ogles, despite previously stating that he only served for four months. He also denied any involvement in deciding who is allowed to sublet his D.C. homes.
The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works postponed a vote to confirm Beaman before the end of 2025, effectively removing him from the nomination process.
Trump took advantage of the start of the new year to nominate Beaman for a second time. He would have to make it through the same committee before being brought before the full Senate.
If confirmed, Beaman’s term would go through May 2030.
