Gov. Phil Bredesen announced this morning that Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction George Little will resign his position at the end of the year.

Little, who was appointed commissioner in October 2005, is leaving to take a job in Memphis as the city's chief administrative officer under new Mayor A. C. Wharton.

The governor's office released the following statement on the resignation:

"Commissioner Little has guided the Department of Correction with a thoughtful, professional and steady hand, and I appreciate his service to the state of Tennessee. Over the past four years, he has led the department through a number of initiatives to keep our communities safe while fulfilling its mission to manage the state's correctional system.

"George has been a valuable member of my Cabinet and I wish him well in his future endeavors.

"We will immediately begin the process of identifying a highly-qualified candidate to succeed him in this important role. I am committed to continuing the progress he and his team have accomplished as we move through this transition and prepare to address the challenges that face the department and the state of Tennessee."

Little praised the department and the governor in his statement on his departure:

"It has been a pleasure to serve the citizens of Tennessee and Governor Bredesen as the Commissioner of Correction for the past four years. Under the Governor's leadership, the department has made tremendous progress in ensuring public safety and restoring the public's confidence in state government. I appreciate the opportunity to have been a part of this administration and to contribute to its accomplishments.

"I am honored to have worked alongside a talented and dedicated team of correctional system professionals. I know they will continue to efficiently manage the facilities and programs that house, supervise and rehabilitate convicted offenders in Tennessee."

Little has previously served as director of the Shelby County Division of Corrections and as an assistant to Gov. Lamar Alexander in the Office of State Planning. He has bachelor's degree in economic and business administration from Morehouse College and did graduate work in economics and urban and regional development at the University of Texas in Austin.