Gov.-elect Bill Lee has named Texas educator Penny Schwinn to head the state Department of Education.

It is one of several cabinet appointments announced by the Lee team Thursday as Lee continues to round out his cabinet in advance of Saturday's inauguration.

Schwinn, who is chief deputy commissioner of education at the Texas Education Agency, replaces Candice McQueen. McQueen's four-year tenure in the job was marred by problems with the TNReady standardized testing program. 

In Texas, Schwinn has pursued a series of reforms that included replacing a failing state testing system there, according to a release from Lee. She also is credited with expanding statewide externships and pathway development initiatives to improve the career readiness of students.

"Penny leads with students at the forefront and I believe her experience is exactly what we need to continue improving on the gains we have made in the past few years," Lee said. "As a former teacher and seasoned administrator, she will help make Tennessee a leader in the nation on education."

Before going to Texas, Schwinn taught with Teach For America from 2004-2007, working in Baltimore Public Schools and in Los Angeles.

She also founded Capitol Collegiate Academy, a charter school for low-income students in South Sacramento, California.

The Dallas Morning News reported last fall that Schwinn was at the center of a potential conflict-of-interest controversy that caused the cancellation of a $4.4 million contract to collect data about special education students.

As education commissioner, Schwinn fills one of the most important roles in the incoming governor's cabinet. 

In addition to Schwinn, the Lee team announced three other cabinet appointments Thursday.

A West Tennessean, Dr. Lisa Piercey of Gibson County, will head the Department of Health.

Piercey is executive vice president of West Tennessee Healthcare. She oversees a group of rural hospitals, including those in Bolivar, Camden, Milan, Dyersburg and Martin.

She also is medical director for the Madison County Child Advocacy Center, and she is on the faculty of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Other cabinet appointments announced include Brad Turner of Rutherford County, who will head the Department of Intellectual and Development Disabilities, and Christi Branscom of Knox County, who will lead the Department of General Services.

Lee's transition team has a website, transition.billlee.com, where the public can submit resumes and find information about policy priorities. 

The release said more than 1,600 applicants have expressed interest through the site.