Professional of the Year

2023 Professional of the Year Award

Pictured left to right: Presenter Tintin Czach, Transportation Manager for SIA and Economic Development; Professional of the Year Danielle Hagewood, Region 3 Program Projects Manager, TDOT

Click to read the full press release.

The Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award is presented annually to a member of the Tennessee Economic Development Council for outstanding achievement in economic development. It is given in recognition of the contributions the recipient has made to his or her own community as well as to the State of Tennessee. Given in Honor of Fred Harris, nationally recognized economic development professional.

About the Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award 

Fred H. Harris began his career in Economic Development in 1960. He became one of the first members of the Tennessee Industrial Development Council in the mid-1960’s and later held the offices of Secretary-Treasurer, Legislative Chairman and Vice President. He assumed the role of TIDC President in 1971.

During his illustrious career in Economic Development, Fred served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, Executive Director of the West Tennessee Industrial Association and past Director of the Executive Committee of the Southern Industrial Development Council.

He retired in 2002 as the Senior Vice President of Economic Development for the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.

In 1996, Fred was awarded the first annual “Outstanding Tennessee Economic Development Award” by TIDC for his outstanding achievement in economic development. In his honor, the award is now known as the “Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award."

It is presented annually to a member of the Tennessee Economic Development Council in recognition of the contributions the recipient has made to his or her own community as well as to the State of Tennessee.
 

Nominations

To Nominate someone for the Fred H. Harris Professional of the Year Award, please download and fill out the form, then email it to Suzie Lusk. Nomination deadline is August 1, 2023.

NOMINATION APPLICATION
 

Past Winners