Thursday Oct 15, 2026
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM CDT
$30 for members | $40 for future members
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 12, 11:55PM
**Cancelations made less than 24 hours notice and "NO SHOWS" will be billed**
Cassandra Fuller
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Our regional event series, "The Breakfast Club," is designed to bring together regional leaders and stakeholders to discuss topics vital to the enhancement and development of the West Tennessee region.
Speaker: Heidi Smith, Vice President of Economic Development, TVA
Topic: TVA Economic Development: Growth, Trends & Opportunities
Join us to hear an overview of economic development in the Tennessee Valley, highlighting the region’s economic growth and the industry trends shaping its future. The presentation will explore emerging opportunities across industry sectors and how TVA partners to support Valley communities.
About the Speaker:
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.
