Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) members are encouraged to bring a guest and hear from J. Edward (Ted) Townsend III, Chief of Staff for Commissioner Randy Boyd with the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) during the annual membership meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.

TAEBC member Bradley Arant Boult Cummings is hosting the annual meeting in Nashville. The annual meeting and networking reception are from 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM CT.

Townsend will talk to TAEBC members about Tennessee’s growing economy, why more businesses are choosing to locate to the Volunteer State and advanced energy’s role in making Tennessee the #1 state in the Southeast for high-quality jobs.

Prior to becoming chief of staff, Townsend was assistant commissioner of strategy where he oversaw all rural programs—including Select Tennessee, ThreeStar, Tennessee Main Street, Tennessee Downtowns and Retire Tennessee—along with federal grant programs that include Community Development Block Grants, the Delta Regional Authority and the Appalachian Regional Commission.  He has also served the department as TNECD regional director over the greater Memphis region comprised of Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton counties. Additionally, Governor Haslam has appointed Townsend his official designee to the federal programs affiliation with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the Delta Regional Authority.

The annual meeting is a great way for members and prospective members to learn about the value of TAEBC membership and how the organization champions advanced energy as an economic development job creation strategy so Tennessee can grab its more than fair share of the $1.3 trillion global advanced energy market.

The meeting also is an opportunity for members to provide feedback on projects/priorities that foster the growth of Tennessee’s advanced energy jobs, companies and technologies.

Stay tuned for program announcements and other guest speakers.

To register or for more information click here.