Jim Shulman has served the State of Tennessee for almost thirty years in a variety of different roles, both in the Executive and Legislative branches. A graduate of Vanderbilt Law School, Shulman started with the State as lead legal counsel for the Department of Finance and Administration under Governor Ned McWherter. He then spent six years as Chief of Staff for then- Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh.
In 1999, Shulman ran for and was elected to Nashville’s Metro Council, representing the 25th District. He was re-elected in 2003. During his initial term on the Council, Shulman chaired the City’s Budget Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Public Works Committee. He pushed through major zoning changes, helped lead the fight for more accountability in city funding, and worked on emergency preparedness concerns.
Shulman now serves as the Executive Director of the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. In that role, Shulman has focused on using data to drive performance. Specific areas of focus have included senior meals and senior hunger; senior transportation, and efficiencies in home care services
After sitting out eight years due to term limits, Shulman ran for an At-Large seat on the Metropolitan Council and was elected in 2015. In 2018, Shulman ran and was elected to the role of Vice Mayor of Nashville and Davidson County. He was re-elected in 2019 and currently holds that seat.
He is married to Lori and they have two daughters and one granddaughter.