The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently named Black Business Association of Memphis President Mark Yates as its new vice-president of the West Region.
“I have been a part of the community for a long time,” said Yates. “I always want to help. I have been a life-long stakeholder in civic and non-profit sectors. From these experiences, I believe I bring to bear some very useful tools.”
TVA officials seem to agree.
Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice-president and chief external relations officer, feels Yates is the right choice for the job.
“The West Region will encompass the service territory in West Tennessee and Mississippi. Mark models the collaborative leadership, community engagement and strong partnership that TVA’s External Relations values,” Mills said.
According to a Jan. 7 press release, TVA said “one of its long-term, strategic priorities is strengthening the powerful partnerships” it deems critical to regional growth. The company’s External Relations division said it hopes to build on TVA’s relationship with customers, state and local governments, local power companies, and the communities they serve.
Yates, who has been on the job since last week, said he wants to continue to help build a strong, small business community in Memphis as a new regional VP.
“I have worked extensively with small businesses in Memphis,” said Yates. “But I had an incredible team supporting the work. And, this past week, I have discovered that TVA also has an excellent team in place as well. We will continue building relationships by channeling available resources where they are needed.”
It was not lost on Yates that he could be an effective mediator between TVA and MLGW as the local utility considers leaving TVA for another electricity provider. Memphis is the federal power company’s largest customer.
“I am hopeful and prayerful,” said Yates. “We want to be more intentional in using our resources to exceed the expectations of the community and our local utilities. I am excited about the division’s commitment, expertise, and energy, no pun intended.”
Yates’ career experience includes: CFO and chief of staff at LeMoyne-Owen College, senior vice-president for Rice Financial Products, senior vice-president of FTN Financial, vice-president for Morgan Keegan, and chief of staff for the offices of former U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr.
“There are so many positive things underway with TVA in the West region,” Yates said. “The expertise, potential resources, mission and long-standing experience will be represented in a meaningful way, I am confident.
“We plan to generate interest, growth and opportunity in Memphis and across the region, and we want community groups to play a more active role in TVA’s mission to improve the quality of life for the communities we serve.”
Mills said TVA excited to bring Mark’s local perspective and experience to the West region for greater community engagement.
Yates will be based in Memphis, consistent with TVA’s commitment to increase its presence in the city. Yates will spend his first few weeks meeting with and getting to know leaders across TVA and the West region.
