Former ECD director reportedly to be announced as Trump's pick

Bill Hagerty, the former commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, is reportedly President-elect Donald Trump's pick to become the U.S. ambassador to Japan.

Hagerty was the Tennessee finance chairman of Trump's Victory Committee and has served as director of presidential appointments for Trump's transition team since November. Japan's Nikkei news service first reported the appointment, which is expected to be officially announced later today.

It is unclear what Hagerty's appointment means for his involvement in the push for Nashville to land a Major League Soccer team. In additioin, his name has been floated as a likely 2018 gubernatorial candidate; an ambassadorship seems likely to end those rumors.

Hagerty will not be the first Tennessee ambassador to Japan. Former Secretary of State Howard Baker served in the same role during George W. Bush's presidency from 2001 to 2005.