TEDC Names Matt Kisber Economic Development Professional of the Year

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) – The Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) has recognized Matt Kisber, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, as the 2008 Fred Harris Professional of the Year.  The honor was announced at the TEDC annual Fall Conference held in Jackson, TN.

“Commissioner Kisber led the way as Tennessee had another banner year attracting over $1.5 billion in new business investments and more than 12,000 new jobs,” noted Walt Wood, TEDC President and CEO of the Shelbyville-Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. “Matt Kisber has kept a consistent focus on developing business infrastructure in all parts of our state.”

Prior to his appointment in 2003 as Commissioner, Kisber served 20 years in the State Legislature where he was instrumental in crafting many of the programs and statues that currently define Economic Development for the State of Tennessee. In the Tennessee General Assembly, Kisber served as chairman of the Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the state’s $19.5 billion budget. He received state and national acclaim for his leadership, developing innovative solutions to a wide range of budgetary and business development challenges.

As Commissioner of the Tennessee Economic and Community Development Department, Kisber has worked to strengthen economic development partnerships both domestically and internationally. His keen focus on high-level customer service has proven successful when working with private industry, local governments, chambers of commerce and other economic development groups.

Under the direction of Governor Phil Bredesen , Commissioner Kisber’s department  developed  Tennessee’s FastTrack program, which provides timely responses and services to companies seeking to make an investment in Tennessee. FastTrack has quickly become recognized as one of the top economic development initiatives in the country.

 “Tennessee is fortunate to have such a skilled group of economic development professionals and a governor who is a highly effective leader in economic development,” said Kisber. “It is a sincere honor to receive this award from an organization that has done so much for the state of Tennessee.” 

The Fred Harris Professional of the Year Award was established in 2004.  Recipients of the award must be nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of past TEDC presidents from the field of nominees. TEDC is a statewide organization for both public and private sector professionals involved in economic development. TEDC provides professional development opportunities for its 340 members and works with state officials to maintain an attractive business environment in Tennessee.