Walt Wood

Chief Executive Officer
Shelbyville-Bedford County Tennessee Chamber of Commerce

With over thirty years experience in economic development, Walt with the Chamber since 1998, has led the community team which initiated and continues to promote an existing industry retention & expansion program; works hard to expand the community’s tourism; and, has significantly increased Chamber membership to over 550 members. Bedford County’s economic development from 2003 through 2005, led by the Chamber’s Team, has resulted in 1,670 new jobs with an investment of $88,198,000 resulting in over 1,481,303 square feet of expansion. These numbers comprise 20 projects from 16 existing and 4 new companies. Also, in 2005 Bedford County was the first community in the State of Tennessee to be certified under the new Three Star Program by TnECD.

Walt earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer CEcD awarded by the American Economic Development Council (now the International Economic Development Council) on October 14, 2000. For the past five years he has served as a grader for the CEcD Exam.

Walt’s former experience includes serving as President of Economic Development Associates; District Development Director for Congressman Jim Cooper; and worked as Director of Economic Development for the South Central Tennessee Development District.

He holds current memberships in the Tennessee Economic Development Council (Secretary/Treasurer), the Southern Economic Development Council, the International Economic Development Council, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Southeast United States-Japan Association/the Tennessee Chapter of the Japan American Society, and the Tennessee Economic Partnership (Board Member).

Community Affairs currently include service as a Board Member of several organizations including the Bedford Rail Authority, Leadership Bedford, Tennessee Technology Center General Advisory Committee, Workforce Solutions, Bedford County Joint Economic Development Board, USAF/AEDC Arnold Community Council (President 2004-2005), Bedford County Medical Center, and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association. Recent activities have included serving as the Chairman of the Countywide Planning and Coordinating (Growth) Committee, and chaired for two years the United Way of Bedford County Campaign Committee.

A graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, Walt also holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.

Walt has lived most of his life in Bedford County, Tennessee, and is married to Sara McKay, who is a Principal at East Side Primary School. They have a son, Micah, who works for the City of Franklin as a Senior Planner.