TEDC Board Meeting Minutes

February 12, 2003, Tennessee Chamber Offices
Nashville, Tennessee

Members Present: Roger Sigler, Bob Grimes, Kim Denton, Mark Herbison, Kyle Spurgeon, Steve Hiatt, Rhonda Rice

Others Present: Wayne Scharber, Suzie Lusk, Leslie Cooper

Roger Sigler called the meeting to order.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Mr. Herbison, second by Mr. Hiatt, appropriately approved and passed.

Approval of Financials: Motion by Mr. Hiatt, second by Mr. Herbison, appropriately approved and passed showing an account balance of $96,633.33.

New Members approved at the February 12th meeting: Motion by Mr. Sigler, second by Mr. Spurgeon, appropriately approved and passed.

Bryan Quinsey, Greene County Partnership
Mike Sparks, City of Bristol, TN
Timothy Haggard, Civil & Environmental Consultants
April Eads, Bristol TN Electric
R. Michael Browder, Bristol TN Electric
Trevor Hamilton, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce
Billie Queen, TVA
Wesley Weeks, Boult Cummings Conners & Berry
David Rutler, Boult Cummings Conners & Berry
James Murphy, Boult Cummings Conners & Berry
Joseph Gibbs, Boult Cummings Conners & Berry
Jim Apple, Memphis Regional Chamber
Marshall Shumate, Solomon Builders
Shannon Elliott, Rose Integrated Services

Spring Conference 2003: John Bradley and Matt Kisber have been invited to speak. Eric Canada is available for $3200 plus expenses. It was unanimously decided to engage Mr. Canada. It was agreed to get the word out early in order to boost attendance. Any suggestions are to be emailed to Mr. Herbison.

Fall Conference 2003: Memphis has volunteered to host the conference. The second week in September was discussed, possibly September 17-19. Potential hotels were suggested including the Peabody, Marriott and Radisson. Suggestions for the conference were requested. Mr. Ronnie Rainey offered assistance in helping plan the event.

Communications: Updated TEDC information including brochures, pamphlets and membership information needs to be ready for the Spring Conference. TEDC scholarship availability needs to be included in the next newsletter. Sponsorship levels have been set: White-$750, Red-$1200 and Blue-$2500. There was some discussion regarding sponsors on the website and rotating ads.

Criteria for the Professional of the Year was discussed. At the summer board meeting, criteria will be established and revealed to the membership. The award concept will be presented at the Fall 2003 Conference, and the actual award will be presented at the Spring Conference.

Old Business: None.

New Business: Interim TCCI President, Wayne Scharber, addressed the board, giving his perspective from traveling throughout the state, getting to know people and informing them about TCCI. TCCI is currently seeking a new president, with a goal to have the position hired by July 1, 2003.

The TCCI Annual Membership Meeting will be held March 11, 2003. Proposed changes have been outlined to the TCCI Governing Board. The Board of Governor’s meeting will also be held March 11, 2003. The TEDC President and President-Elect are invited to attend. Governor Bredesen has been invited to speak at the luncheon. Mr. Scharber discussed other sessions and events, encouraging TEDC Board members to attend.

Mr. Spurgeon is continuing work on regional seminars.

Legislative Update: There was discussion concerning the agenda for the luncheon with Commissioner Kisber. Topics suggested include the history of TEDC (started in Memphis) and new TEDC initiatives such as legislative assistance, professional development and TEDC as an ECD advocate. It should be asked how TEDC can help with any issues ECD may have. How are projects handled? What policies are in place?

Adjourn: The meeting was adjourned.

Meeting minutes by Kim Denton, 2002-2003 TEDC Secretary-Treasurer