UT CIS Celebrates New Class of Certified Economic Developers
The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) celebrated the 23rd graduating class of its Tennessee Certified Economic Developer (TCED) Program on April 15, bringing the total number of certified professionals statewide to 156.
This year’s graduates showcased a powerful mix of wins and forward-thinking strategies through their Capstone Projects, highlighting successes like business recruitment, tourism growth and cross-sector collaboration, while also tackling real challenges such as workforce participation, rural development, natural disasters and the “benefits cliff.”
“These projects really tell a story of both progress and possibility,” said TCED Program Director Tintin Czach. “We saw communities celebrating some big wins – new industry, stronger partnerships, creative growth strategies – while also taking an honest look at challenges like workforce gaps, rural access and long-term sustainability. What really stands out about this group is the range of topics they took on and how thoughtfully they approached them. They’re not just pointing out issues – they’re bringing forward real solutions that can move their communities forward.”
The graduation ceremony, held at the UT Institute for Public Service Training Center in Nashville, featured final presentations that reflected each graduate’s passion, creativity and commitment to their communities.
To earn the TCED certification, participants completed a week-long Basic Economic Development Course, six core courses and eight elective hours, totaling 92 hours of instruction. The program equips professionals with the tools, insights and connections needed to support thriving, competitive communities across Tennessee.
Meet the Spring 2026 TCED Graduates:
· Jackson Broadwell, Assistant Director of Research for the Tennessee Economic & Community Development
Capstone: “Self-Employment as a Tool for Improving Tennessee's Labor Force Participation Rate”
· Dawn Carlock, Director of Economic and Community Development with The Roane Alliance
Capstone: “Fueling the Future: Economic and Workforce Impacts of a Growing Nuclear Cluster in Oak Ridge and Roane County, Tennessee”
· Derek Driskill, Rural Fellow for the Tennessee Economic & Community Development
Capstone: “The Economic Impact of Natural Disasters: A Rural Appalachian Case Study”
· John C. Isbell, County Mayor of Sumner County
Capstone: “Strategic Revision of the Sumner County Joint Economic and Community Development Board”
· Cameron McAllister, Administrator of Economic & Community Development for the City of East Ridge
Capstone: “From Incentive to Impact: How Tennessee's Border Region Retail Tourism Development Act Fueled Tourism-Led Growth and Corridor Redevelopment in East Ridge, Tennessee”
· Madeline McLaughlin, Economic Development Coordinator for the Industrial Board of Coffee County
Capstone: “Cross-Sector Innovation in Coffee County, Tennessee: Multi-Agency Coordination & Grant-Leveraging to Recruit Little Leaf Farms”
· Beverly Murphy, Director of Tourism for the Clay County Chamber
Capstone: “The Benefits Cliff and the Role of Economic Development”
· Will Rice, Project Manager for the Wake County Economic Development
Capstone: “Broadband as a Catalyst: From Rural Electrification to a Cooperative-Led Development Strategy in Tennessee's Sequatchie Valley”
· Chantel Rucker, Rural Fellow for the Tennessee Economic & Community Development
Capstone: “Preparing the Next Generation: Workforce Development in Rural Haywood County”
· Alex West, Manager of Economic Development for the City of Goodlettsville
Capstone: “Relationships to Results: Advancing Workforce and Economic Development Through Collaboration”
As new members of the TCED Alumni Group, graduates will continue to build on their experience through ongoing education, collaboration and a strong statewide community of peers committed to advancing economic and community development.
Photo:
Top (Left to Right) – Mayor John Isbell, Alex West, Madeline McLaughlin, Derek Driskill, Jackson Broadwell
Bottom (Left to Right) – Chantel Rucker, Beverly Murphy, Cameron McAllister,
Dawn Carlock
(Not pictured: Will Rice)