Bellsouth Economic Development Center
333 Commerce Street
Nashville TN 37201

Joe W. Barker

Joe W. Barker, Executive Director of Tennessee Tomorrow, has a unique and successful background in Economic and Community Development in Tennessee. Joe began his career in public service when he was elected to the Savannah, Tennessee City Commission in 1975. He also served four years as the mayor of Savannah. During his tenure as mayor, Savannah was recognized as the "Most Improved City in the State."

After his tenure in city government, Joe was elected to two four-year terms as Hardin County Mayor. Hardin County experienced significant progress during these eight years which included a 22% increase in jobs, increased teachers pay and expansion and renovation of the high school, locating a branch of Jackson State Community College in Savannah, building a state of the art library, and recruitment of the NAIA Collegiate Football National Championship Game.

In 2003, Joe was appointed an Assistant Commissioner in the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. Under his leadership, the Tennessee Three-Star Program was redesigned to become a national best practice model for Community Development.

Joe also owned and operated a small business for 22 years. He has served on many boards and commissions which include the Tennessee Municipal League, Tennessee County Services, Appalachian Regional Commission, Delta Regional Authority, and Southern Growth Policies Board.

Dr. David Kolzow

Dr. David Kolzow, one of the nation’s most respected experts in the economic and community development arena, serves as the TLC’s Executive Director. Dr. Kolzow offers Tennessee’s community leaders the benefit of his more than 30 years of experience serving in a wide range number of key economic development roles - as a site consultant to major industries in the U.S. and around the world, as a consultant to communities and state leaders across the nation, and as an educator and head of a leading economic and community development institute.

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams serves as the TLC's Associate Director, coordinating training and working closely with Dr. Kolzow in the development and dissemination of training tools and materials for community leaders who utilize TLC's services.