ETEC - Heidi Smith, VP of Economic Development, TVA
Friday, September 18, 2026 (7:30 AM - 8:30 AM) (EDT)
Description
Join the East Tennessee Economic Council for our September 18th meeting, in-person, or virtually, featuring Heidi Smith, Vice President of Economic Development at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Smith leads TVA’s economic development efforts, working with communities and business leaders across the Tennessee Valley to attract investment, create jobs, and support long-term economic growth.
During the meeting, Smith will share insights into TVA’s economic development priorities, the opportunities shaping the Tennessee Valley, and what continued investment means for the future of East Tennessee. Attendees will gain perspective on the region’s competitive landscape and the partnerships helping drive economic growth across the Valley.
No registration is necessary for in-person attendance.
Register in advance for the ETEC meeting virtually: https://tennessee.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUrd-CgrDMiHNTsDsHqH0FyubCh2ys57LzH#/registration
For more information about ETEC’s weekly meetings, click here.
Visit the Find Us page for the meeting location, address, and map.
Heidi Smith
Vice President of Economic Development
Tennessee Valley Authority
Heidi Smith serves as Vice President of Economic Development for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), where she leads initiatives aimed at fostering job creation and attracting investment across the seven-state TVA service region. Smith leads global business and economic incentives programs and specialists, furthering TVA’s mission of service through economic growth.
Since joining TVA in 2002, Smith has been instrumental in the development and implementation of strategic recruitment, community development programs, in-depth site development initiatives, and customized workforce development strategies. Her efforts focus on preparing communities to be in a more marketable position for economic growth opportunities. Programs and initiatives developed under Smith’s leadership include InvestPrep, InvestReady, Workforce Invest, Rural Leadership Institute, and Workforce Institute.
Smith works closely with state, regional, and local economic development and local power company partners in the areas of business recruitment, project management, and community development. Smith is also a certified facilitator for Facilitative Selling and Proposing to Win training.
Before joining TVA, Smith worked for Forcum Lannom Construction Company as vice president of business development and marketing. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications from the University of Arkansas, is a recipient of the Tennessee Economic Development Council Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award and is listed in Southern Business and Development’s Southern Economic Development Hall of Fame. She enjoys spending time with family and resides in Nashville.
Special thanks to Paschal Solutions, Inc. for sponsoring all
ETEC Friday Morning Meetings in September.
Images
1201 Oak Ridge Turnpike
Oak Ridge, TN 37830 United States
If you want to bring a guest please register them here.
Click here to register for the VIRTUAL version of the meeting.
Complimentary coffee, bagels, muffins, and pastries will be available before the meeting.
The meeting will be held at the University of Tennessee Outreach Center, located at the back corner of the building on the Applebee's side. The entrance faces the Quality Inn and Applebee's. Look for the awning and sign marked University of Tennessee Outreach Center.
Please note: The main entrance to the ETEC office will be locked.
Directions
From Knoxville via S. Illinois Avenue (TN-62 W):
- Turn right onto S. Rutgers Avenue.
- Continue to the intersection of Rice Road and Rider Road, across from ORNL Corporate Headquarters.
- After passing the Quality Inn, turn left onto Rider Road.
- The University of Tennessee Outreach Center will be on your right.
Alternate Route from Knoxville via S. Illinois Avenue (TN-62 W):
- Take the sharp right onto Lafayette Drive.
- Turn left onto W. Gettysburg Avenue.
- Turn right onto Manhattan Avenue.
- Continue straight across S. Rutgers Avenue onto Rice Road.
- At the intersection of Rice Road and Rider Road, turn right onto Rider Road.
- The University of Tennessee Outreach Center will be on your right.
* Weather Policy * |
ETEC prioritizes the safety of our meeting attendees during weather conditions. If inclement weather is expected on a Friday morning, and we decide to move to an ALL-VIRTUAL Zoom format, we will notify members by 5:00 p.m. the evening before. Newsletter subscribers will receive an email, and notices will be posted on the ETEC homepage and the calendar event page. We encourage all attendees to check for updates and use the Zoom registration link to join virtually if necessary. If you do not receive an email and there are no notices on the website, we will proceed with the in-person (hybrid) meeting as planned, but we advise everyone to use their own judgment based on road conditions in their areas. |