Kim Thau Yap is Assistant Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Human Resources (DOHR), where he leads the Compensation, Agency Resource Center, and HR Business Solutions teams. Since joining DOHR in 2015, and serving as Assistant Commissioner since 2016, Kim has helped advance a more strategic, responsive, and service-focused approach to human resources across Tennessee state government.

Kim’s work connects workforce strategy with practical execution. Key areas of focus include compensation strategy and modernization, enterprise HR operations, process improvement, and strong partnerships with state agencies. He also leads efforts to strengthen service delivery, use data to inform decisions, and align HR operations with broader organizational priorities.

As Director of HR & Talent Management, Kim established the HR Business Solutions team, which provides direct HR services for DOHR, the Governor’s Office, the Tennessee State Museum, and several boards and commissions. Previously, as Director of Human Resources for the Department of Children’s Services, he helped establish a network of regional HR business partners to improve customer-focused service delivery.

Kim brings nearly 30 years of experience in public- and private-sector organizations, including finance, engineering, sales, and manufacturing. His areas of success include talent management, organizational change, leadership development, performance management, employee relations, and operational leadership. Kim holds a master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Western Kentucky University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Central Florida.