Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty
Born	William Francis Hagerty IV 8/14/1959
Birthplace	Gallatin, Tennessee, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, businessman, diplomat
Known for	U.S. Senator from Tennessee; 30th U.S. Ambassador to Japan
Education	Vanderbilt University (BA, JD)
Children	4
Website	Official Senate website

William Francis Hagerty IV (born August 14, 1959) is an American politician, businessman, and diplomat who's served as the junior United States senator from Tennessee since January 3, 2021. He's a Republican. Before taking his current seat, Hagerty worked as the 30th United States Ambassador to Japan from 2017 to 2019 under President Donald Trump. His background in private equity included co-founding Hagerty Peterson & Company, a Nashville-based investment firm. From 2011 to 2014, he served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development under Governor Bill Haslam, where he worked to attract business investment to Tennessee and, notably, spearheaded the effort to bring a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville. In 2020, he won the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by retiring Senator Lamar Alexander, defeating Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw. In the Senate, he serves on the Banking Committee and has focused on economic policy, financial regulation, and foreign affairs. Throughout his political career, he's remained close to Donald Trump, having served on Trump's presidential transition team before being nominated as ambassador to Japan.

Early Life

William Francis Hagerty IV was born August 14, 1959, in Gallatin, Tennessee, a city in Sumner County northeast of Nashville. He grew up there and eventually made Nashville his home, where he'd later establish himself in business and public service.

Education

Hagerty earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He then attended Vanderbilt University Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor in 1984. His legal training at Vanderbilt would set the stage for everything that followed. Finance, policy, public service. All of it built on that foundation.

Career

Private Equity

After graduating, Hagerty entered the private equity world. He co-founded Hagerty Peterson & Company, a Nashville-based private equity firm, and served as its managing director. The firm gave him direct experience in business investment and corporate management, skills that would prove valuable when he moved into government roles and economic development.

His early career also included involvement in Republican politics. During President George H. W. Bush's administration, he worked in government service, a detail reflected in Bush-era records.

Tennessee Commissioner of Economic and Community Development

Governor Bill Haslam appointed Hagerty as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development on February 14, 2011, replacing Matt Kisber in the position. He oversaw the state's economic development strategy, including attracting business investment, recruiting companies, and creating jobs.

His tenure lasted until June 6, 2014. During those years, Hagerty focused on making Tennessee an attractive destination for corporate investment. Randy Boyd succeeded him.

One accomplishment stands out. His work bringing a Major League Soccer franchise to Nashville involved coordinating with state and local officials, business leaders, and the MLS itself. When state legislation in support of the bid came up in December 2016, it focused on stadium development questions. Then in December 2017, Nashville got its MLS expansion team. The process had taken years, but Hagerty had been instrumental from the start. Business media gave him significant credit for the win, with one headline reading "Don't bet against Bill Hagerty."

Trump Presidential Transition Team

As the 2016 presidential race heated up, Hagerty got involved in Republican politics at the national level. He was named to a delegate slate for Jeb Bush during the primary in October 2015. When Trump won in November 2016, Hagerty took on a key role on the Trump presidential transition team. Other Tennessee political figures also joined the transition effort, including an aide to Senator Bob Corker.

United States Ambassador to Japan

On March 27, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Hagerty to serve as United States Ambassador to Japan. Trump had actually indicated this choice back in January 2017.

The Senate confirmed his nomination on July 13, 2017, in an 86-12 vote. Broad bipartisan support. Reuters covered the confirmation, noting his business background and role in the Trump transition.

He took the oath as the 30th United States Ambassador to Japan on July 27, 2017. He officially assumed his duties on August 31, 2017, following Caroline Kennedy, who'd served as ambassador under President Barack Obama.

As ambassador, he managed the U.S.-Japan relationship during a tense period. North Korea's nuclear program. Trade negotiations. Hagerty was at the center of it all. In October 2017, Japanese media covered his work as ambassador, documenting his engagement with officials and the Japanese public.

He stayed in the role until July 22, 2019, when he resigned. The post remained empty for years. Rahm Emanuel didn't get confirmed as his successor until 2022.

2020 U.S. Senate Campaign

In September 2019, Hagerty formally launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat that Senator Lamar Alexander was vacating. Alexander had announced he wouldn't seek reelection in 2020. Hagerty entered with Trump's endorsement, which mattered in the Republican primary.

He won the primary and faced Democratic nominee Marquita Bradshaw in the general election. Tennessee had been trending Republican for years. The state favored Hagerty. He won.

U.S. Senate Tenure

On January 3, 2021, Hagerty was sworn in as the junior United States senator from Tennessee, replacing Lamar Alexander. He serves with senior Senator Marsha Blackburn, also a Republican.

His committee assignments reflect his experience in business and foreign policy. The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. He's used his Banking Committee seat to advance legislation on financial regulation and community banking.

Legislative Activity

In November 2025, Hagerty co-introduced the Main Street Depositor Protection Act with Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), a bipartisan measure developed through the Banking Committee. To support the bill, he and United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent co-authored an opinion piece about strengthening community banks.

Consumer privacy matters have also caught his attention. In early 2026, he filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission against Verizon, demanding the company take responsibility for disclosing his Senate phone data.

Economic Policy and Constituent Engagement

In February 2026, Hagerty visited Kingsport, Tennessee, where he spoke at the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce's Federal Legislative Brunch at the Cattails Ballroom in the MeadowView Marriott Conference Resort & Convention Center. He talked about economic growth and regional prosperity. He also toured Eastman Chemical Company's molecular recycling facility in the area, discussing their innovation work.

Later that month, Hagerty appeared on CNBC's Squawk Box to discuss the economy and back Kevin Warsh, President Trump's nominee for Federal Reserve Chair. He called Warsh "the man for the moment."

Personal Life

Hagerty lives in Tennessee with his wife and their four children. He earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Vanderbilt University and has stayed connected to the Nashville community throughout his career in business and politics.

Recognition

The Nashville business community recognized Hagerty's role in bringing Major League Soccer to the city. The Nashville Business Journal credited his efforts as instrumental in securing the expansion franchise in December 2017.

His confirmation as U.S. Ambassador to Japan came with an 86-12 vote. Strong bipartisan support. That reflected confidence in his qualifications for the diplomatic post. Vanderbilt University Law School publicly acknowledged his appointment, noting his status as a distinguished alumnus from the class of 1984.