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federal Paycheck Protection Program between 2020 and 2021, all of which has been forgiven, according to SBA records. The company also borrowed more than $100,000 in an SBA economic injury disaster loan, which is not forgivable.

As of last year, Think Native also has several outstanding loans and accounts payable, including to lawyers, according to documents reviewed by The Tennessean and one investor.

‘In way over my head’

Villio started Think Native a few months after a sudden departure from a top post at the nationally known media ministry.

Villio joined e3 Partners – the multimedia nonprofit behind the I Am Second movement, which produces film content to inspire people to put Jesus Christ first in their lives – in May 2017.

As president of I Am Second, Villio was the highest compensated employee in the $15 million organization. He earned a salary of $126,000 per year, plus nearly $20,000 in other compensation, according to the nonprofit’s tax filings.

E3 Partners and I Am Second did not respond to email or telephone requests for comment about Villio’s departure. But Villio’s social media posts confirm that leaving the company was not his choice.

“A little over a year ago, I was unexpectedly let go of a job that I was extremely passionate about,” Villio wrote on Instagram in July 2020. According to LinkedIn, his job at I Am Second ended in December 2018.

“After several honest conversations with God, and seeking guidance from my heroes, I decided to start a software business to continue what was being stirred up while at my last gig,” he added. “Not being a software guy, I knew I was in way over my head, but that has always been the case for me.”

‘The right person to lead’

The governor’s office did not disclose how many other candidates were considered for the position to lead the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, when asked by The Tennessean.

“Governor Lee met with multiple qualified candidates, and based on Lance’s background and character, the Governor determined he was the right person to lead Faith Based & Community Initiatives for the administration,” Johnson, Lee’s spokesperson, told The Tennessean in an email.

“As with any recruitment process, it is standard practice to review resumes and call references, and the Governor’s

Office followed that process,” Johnson told The Tennessean in an email last year.

The governor’s office also declined to disclose what references or previous employers the governor’s staff contacted to determine Villio’s qualifications for the job.

If other applicants were considered, the governor’s office did not maintain a record of it. In response to a public records request, the governor’s records counsel indicated to The Tennessean the office does not possess a copy of Villio’s resume, cover letter, recommendation letters or any other application materials associated with Villio’s appointment to lead the office. Nor does the governor’s office possess any record of any other candidates considered for the position.

Tennessee Department of Human Resources also does not have an employee personnel record for Villio with any documentation regarding Villio’s previous employment, compensation, or other details.

Villio’s office is in the Tennessee Tower, a state office building, and he and staff use official state email addresses. But they are not employed by the state: their paychecks come from the separate faith-based nonprofit.

“As you know, the statue specifically allows for the foundation to partner with the Office, which is why this set-up is permissible,” Johnson said, citing the Governor’s Books From Birth program as a similar model.

For more than a year after Villio took over, the office also had trouble with its website and social media. For months, the website URL linked on the office’s social media redirected to a Malaysian Lottery website.

Only in October did the office launch a new website at faithandcommunity.org, which details the office’s mission and highlights the story about DCS and the beds for children in Shelby County. Since December, an Instagram account for the office has been active.

Recently, the office has begun hiring for positions funded by the $1.2 million allocated by the legislature. But onboarding issues continue to plague new staff: according to his emails to The Tennessean through Villio’s email account and his own, it took the office three full weeks after Lokkesmoe was hired as communications strategist for the office to provide him with access to an email account.

In the past, the office has functioned with six staff members supported entirely by private funding, according to annual reports.

Vivian Jones covers state government for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X at @Vivian_E_Jones.