Tennessee Gov.-elect Bill Lee told a faith-oriented luncheon in Murfreesboro on Wednesday that he hopes to focus on criminal justice reform as governor.

"We need to be tough on crime and smart on crime," Lee told about 200 people during the Faith, Family and Freedom Luncheon hosted by state Sen. Shane Reeves, R-Murfreesboro.

"I want to work with leaders for sentencing reform, judicial reform, intake reform, re-entry reform," Lee said.

A portion of the proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the Boys and Girls Club.

In his opening remarks, Reeves, who beat Democrat Gayle Jordan for the District 14 state Senate seat in November, said serving as a senator has been "one of the greatest honors of his life."

In a question-and-answer style session hosted by Reeves, Lee spoke about his passion for helping male inmates transition back into society once they leave prison and his experience mentoring jailed men. Inmates from the county jail attended the lunch.

The governor-elect also said he had contacted the Bush family and offered his condolences on the recent death of former President George H.W. Bush, whose funeral took place in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Lee said he hopes to focus on technical and vocational training in Tennessee high schools, citing how about four out of 10 graduates won't attend college.

In assembling his team as he prepares to take office, Lee said he has received more than 1,000 resumes and spoke about appointing Middle Tennessee graduate Charlie Hatcher to agriculture commissioner. Hatcher is a managing partner at his family's Hatcher Family Dairy.

"My hope is to engage people like Charlie to a place of leadership that understand my vision for the state," Lee said.

When asked if he planned to appoint Murfreesboro residents, Lee told The Daily News Journal he was considering people from every part of the state.

Lee, elected to his first position in public office Nov. 6, announced this week that he was in the process of stepping away from Lee Company, the Franklin-based HVAC, electrical and plumbing business his grandfather founded in 1944. Currently, Lee serves as chairman of the company.

On the business front, Lee said he hopes to stimulate the rural economy.

"I have a real desire to use the giftings in my own life and to engage with leaders and others," Lee said, addressing the crowd. "I promise you that I'll do everything I can to not disappoint you."

Reach Brinley Hineman at bhineman@gannett.com and on Twitter @brinleyhineman.

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