Tenn. Code Ann. § 63-8-105: Appointments to the board

(a) The members of the board shall be appointed by the governor. Members may be appointed from lists of qualified nominees submitted by interested optometric groups, including, but not limited to, the Tennessee Association of Optometric Physicians. The governor shall consult with such interested groups to determine qualified persons to fill the positions.

(b) A member shall continue to serve until that member's successor is appointed. A vacancy created by the death, resignation or removal of a member shall be temporarily filled by the board after thirty (30) days. The person filling such vacancy shall serve until the governor makes the appointment as provided in this section. An appointment shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term.