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.

FIND YOUR SITE

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

AAON Inc. To Establish Operations in Memphis, Tennessee

AAON, Inc., a leading HVAC manufacturer, announced plans to establish operations in Memphis, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 828 new jobs and investing $238 million in the company’s Shelby County facility. Economic development partners include Memphis Light, Gas and Water, the Greater Memphis Chamber, and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development….

Avail Enclosure Systems Announces Plans to Expand in Hamilton County

Avail Enclosure Systems, a global infrastructure company, announced plans to expand operations in Hamilton County. Plans for the project include creating 82 new jobs and investing more than $10 million at its Chattanooga facility. Economic development partners include EPB, the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, City of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and the Chattanooga…

DENSO Announces Plans to Expand Operations in Athens, Tennessee

DENSO, a global automotive supplier, announced plans to expand operations in Athens, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 200 new jobs and investing $100 million to increase the production of products that support cleaner mobility. Economic development partners include Athens Utilities Board, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development and the McMinn County Economic…