OUR TEAM

Meet Our Site Selection Specialists

We’re here to help you discover our region, access resources, and find the site that’s right for your business.

Find What You’re Looking For

Finding the right site is easier with the right people to guide you. Our team of economic developers and site selection specialists know the Valley region. We offer no-cost, confidential location assistance and tailored programs, services, and incentives to companies planning new or expanding facilities.

Corporate Managers

John Bradley

Senior Vice President

| Economic Development

Heidi Smith

Director

| Global Business

Stephen Surles

Director

| Economic Development Incentive Programs

Joseph Burchfield

Strategic Consultant

| ‏‏

Ginger Lawyer

Manager

| Economic Incentives

Harry Schmidt

Manager

| Field Operations

Bess Hubbard

Manager

| Economic Development Services

Thomas Buehler

Manager

| Economic Investments

Adam Murray

Manager

| Target Market Specialist

Target Market Specialists

Adam Murray

Aerospace & Defense

Tyler Chaffee

Food & Beverage, Industrial Technologies, Life Sciences

Will West

Automotive and EV, Information Systems & Securities

Meryl Harris

Clean Technologies

Product Development

Bill Adams

Senior Target Market Specialist

Josh Thornton

Senior Program Manager

Selecting the Perfect Site

The seven-state Valley region has a large and varied selection of sites and buildings for your consideration. Whether you’re looking for shovel-ready land, spec buildings, sustainable communities, or commercial or industrial properties, our interactive mapping tool can get your search started.

Area Representatives — Alabama

Warren Hicks

Consultant

Penny Townson

Consultant

Area Representatives — Kentucky

Emily Jones

Consultant

Danny Isaacs

Consultant

Area Representatives — Middle Tennessee

Neil MacDonald

Consultant

Courtney Robinson

Consultant

Nick Cunningham

Consultant

Area Representatives — Mississippi

Bryant Henley

Consultant

Chelsea Baulch

Consultant

Area Representatives — Northeast Valley

Derrick Collins

Consultant

Tim Tidwell

Consultant

Area Representatives — Southeast Valley

Scott Cooper

Consultant

Taylor Belcher

Consultant

Area Representatives — West Tennessee

Eugene Johnson

Consultant

Chuck Marquis

Consultant

  • Economic Development for me is not just a profession but a passion. I actually get paid to do something that I really love doing. It is so rewarding to watch a community, region or state create jobs and opportunities for its citizens.

    -Heidi Smith, TVA Economic Development Director of Global Business

  • I am grateful to be able to help communities in the Valley achieve their vision of economic success. This career allows me the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the residents of the communities which I serve.

    -Emily Jones, TVA Economic Development Regional Development Specialist

  • Nothing is more rewarding than being a part of a team who bands together to improve the quality of life in a community. As President Truman once said, ‘It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.’

    -Katrina Smith, TVA Economic Development Training & Development

In the News

SGB Enterprises, Inc., announces plans to establish operations in Maury County, Tennessee.

10/05/23 SGB Enterprises, Inc., announced plans to establish operations in Maury County. Plans for the project include creating 40 new jobs and investing $1.7 million in the company’s Columbia headquarters and manufacturing operations. Economic development partners include Columbia Power and Water Systems, the Maury Alliance, Middle Tennessee Industrial Development Association and the Tennessee Department of…

Malibu Boats, LLC, expands operations in Roane County, Tennessee

10/03/2023 Malibu Boats, LLC, a powerboat manufacturer, announced plans to expand operations in Roane County, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 770 new jobs and investing $75 million in the company’s second facility outside of its Loudon headquarters. Economic development partners include Lenoir City Utilities Board, Roane Alliance, East Tennessee Economic Development Agency and…

Dutch Tech, Inc., expands operations in Lobelville, Tennessee

10/02/2023 Dutch Tech, Inc., a manufacturer of laminated insulation products, announced plans to expand operations in Lobelville, TN. Plans for the project include creating 73 new jobs and investing $755,000 to expand operations at the company’s Perry County headquarters. Economic development partners include Meriwether Lewis Electric Cooperative, Perry County Government and the Tennessee Department of…