Diane was elected in 2004 to represent the 18th Senatorial District, which includes most of Sumner County and all of Robertson County. Prior to her election, she served three terms at a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, representing the 45th District.

Diane began working in health care after receiving an associate’s degree in nursing in 1971. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Belmont University in 1992. She has worked in emergency rooms and has taught at Volunteer State Community College as an assistant professor of allied health. She served as Executive Director of Sumner Regional Health Systems Foundation and development director for the Middle Tennessee YMCA.

Diane and her husband Dave live in Gallatin. Their daughters, Jill and Katie, live in Florida. Jill and her husband, Nick, are the parents of  two boys; Warren and Joseph. Katie and her husband Colt are blessed with two children; Easton and Gabriella. Their son Steve and his wife Tracy have two children, Dylan and Madison, and reside in Hendersonville. 

Diane enjoys traveling with Dave, participating in marathons, gardening, and bird watching.

Public Office:

• Senate member of the 104th, 105th, & 106th General Assembly
• House member of the 101st through 103rd General Assemblies
• Chairman, Senate Republican Caucus
• Member, Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee
• Member, Senate Judiciary Committee
• Member, Senate Finance Committee
• Member, TennCare Oversight Committee 
• Member, Select Committee on Children and Youth
• Member, Human Service & Public Safety Committee, Southern Legislative Conference

Community Involvement:

• Tennessee Center for Nursing, board member
• Volunteer State Community College Foundation, board member
• Children Are People, Inc., board member
• PEO, member
• Hendersonville Rotary Club, member and past president
• Hendersonville Rotary Foundation, president
• Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, Portland, Robertson County, Westmoreland, White House Chambers of Commerce, member
• Habitat for Humanity, past vice president
• Sumner County United Way, past chairman
• Sumner County YMCA, past board member
• Sumner County Chapter of American Cancer Society, past board member
• Sumner County Chapter of American Heart Association, past board member

Honors:

• Child Protection Investigative Team Leadership Award 2009
• Tennessee Association of Assessing Officers Legislator of the Year 2008
• American Heart Association Legislator of the Year 2008
• National Federation of Independent Business Guardian of Small Business Award 2008
• Tennessee Association of Homes & Services for the Aging Honorary Chair Award 2008
• Assisted Living Federation of America Champions for Seniors in Assisted Living Award 2008
• Emerging Political Leadership Program, Darden School of Business
• Tennessee Home Education Association Statesman Award 2008
• Farmers Insurance Group Outstanding Legislative & Community Service 2008
• The Junior Leagues of Tennessee Legislator of the Year Award 2008
• Recognized by the TN Organ Donor Registry 2008
• Tennessee Development District Association Legislator of the Year Award 2008
• The Arc of Tennessee Legislature Award 2008
• Recognized by TN Suicide Prevention Network 2007
• Emerging Leader Class of 2007
• Henry Toll Fellowship Program Class of 2007
• Sumner Ladies Delegation First Woman Senate Republican Caucus Chairman 2007
• American Diabetes Association State Public Policy Leadership Award 2007
• American Heart Association Advocate of the Year 2006
• County Officials Association of Tennessee Outstanding State Senator 2005
• Tennessee Nurse Association Legislator of the Year 2005
• Recognized by Sumner County Chapter 240 Vietnam Veterans 2005
• Tennessee Right to Life Legislator of the Year 2004
• American Cancer Society Legislator of the Year 2003
• Sumner County YMCA Volunteer of the Year 2001
• Leadership Sumner Distinguished Alumni 1998
• Rotarian of the Year by Hendersonville Rotary Club 1993