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 Program Manager, Industrial Development

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

Hyosung HICO to Expand Operations in Memphis, Tennessee

Hyosung HICO, a power transformer manufacturer, announced plans to expand operations in Memphis, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 120 new jobs and investing $51 million in the company’s U.S. manufacturing headquarters. Economic development partners include Memphis Light Gas and Water, the Greater Memphis Chamber, Memphis Shelby County EDGE and the Tennessee Department of…

GE Aerospace Announces Plans to Expand Operations in Batesville, Mississippi

GE Aerospace, an aerospace and defense company, announced plans to expand operations in Batesville, Mississippi. Plans for the project include creating 100 new jobs and investing $11 million as the company increases production at the Panola County site. Economic development partners include Tallahatchie Valley Electric Power Association, Panola Partnership, and the Mississippi Development Authority. This…

Troax Group to Locate Operations in Portland, Tennessee

Troax Group, a wire mesh safety solutions manufacturer, announced plans to locate operations in Portland, Tennessee. Plans for the project include creating 120 new jobs and investing $23 million in the company’s Robertson County operations. Economic development partners include Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation, the City of Portland, Robertson County and the Tennessee Department of Economic…