Tenn. Code § 7-5-106
The board shall appoint a port authority manager who shall be the chief executive and administrative officer of the authority, and shall enter into a contract with the manager establishing such port authority manager's salary and term of office. The manager shall appoint, subject to the approval of the board, all other officers and other employees subject to any civil service plan adopted by the board. The port authority manager shall prepare an annual operating budget of the authority and submit the budget to the board for approval at least sixty (60) days prior to the beginning of the fiscal year. If the budget shall not have been acted upon by the board on the first day of the fiscal year, it shall then automatically go into effect. The manager shall also submit periodic reports to the board as the board may direct. The manager shall attend all meetings of the board.
T.C.A. § 7-5-106