Greeneville businessman Scott Niswonger has been named president/chairman of the newly-formed Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Foundation.

The announcement was made Monday in a news release by Bill Gibbons, commissioner of the state Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Gibbons also announced the formation of the foundation on Monday.

In 2012, the General Assembly passed legislation authorizing the department to enter into a partnership with the independent, non-profit foundation to help further the mission of the department.

"As part of our top-to-bottom review of the department, we determined that we needed a stronger partnership with the private sector," Gibbons said in a news release.

"Many law enforcement agencies have developed such strong partnerships through creation of private foundations, ranging from the New York Police Department in New York City to various law enforcement agencies here in Tennessee.

"We believe this is a great opportunity to advance the department's mission," Gibbons also said in the release.

The foundation's charter states it will seek public and private funds to support the goals and objectives of the department, including law enforcement, safety education, motorist services, disaster preparedness and prevention, and marketing opportunities.

The foundation is governed by a board of 23 directors from across Tennessee who met in January in Nashville.

The board selected its executive officers, including Niswonger, at the initial meeting.

The board will meet quarterly in Nashville. The foundation requires the department to apply for funding for projects, programs, or equipment to support its mission.

The board of directors has the discretion to approve or deny any requests from the department for funding.

Niswonger, the Greeneville businessman and philanthropist, is president, chairman and the founder of Landair Transport, Inc., in Greeneville.

Board members include two Johnson City residents: Mitch Cox, founder and CEO of the Mitch Cox Companies; and K. Newton Raff, retired chairman and CEO of First Tennessee Bank.

Also on the board is Robert T. Summers, president of Summers Taylor, Inc., of Elizabethton.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's mission "is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently," Gibbons said.

The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services.

For more information, go to: http://www.TN.Gov/safety