Tennessee Code Title 33. Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities § 33-4-201

The commissioner shall designate an employee of the department whom courts may appoint, regardless of whether the employee resides in the same county as the ward, as legal guardian or conservator for a service recipient in a state facility under title 34, if the court determines that no other person or legally qualified organization will serve for the service recipient and that it is for the best interests of the service recipient that the person be appointed.