Workforce Development Advisory Board
Content for this page is coming soon!
CONTENT FOR THIS PAGE COMING SOON
Performance Improvement
Performance Development Courses and Assessments
In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving business environment, the ability to improve performance and deliver exceptional results is more critical than ever. Our performance improvement courses equip professionals with the tools, insights and strategies needed to excel in their roles, drive organizational success and foster meaningful personal and professional growth.
Participants learn to:
- Enhance strategic planning with breakthrough tools.
- Deliver world-class customer service inspired by Disney principles.
- Deepen understanding of personality types with the MBTI Step II Assessment.
- Cultivate grit and perseverance.
Learn to use Hoshin Planning Tools to facilitate problem solving. These tools will ensure alignment with major strategies and goals. Through a series of structured activities, participants plan strategic activities that provide the best return for the resources invested.
- Four-to-eight-hour course or practical application
Excellent customer service is much more than smile training or implementing useful technology. It’s understanding what’s important to your customers and designing services to exceed their expectations.
Successful service delivery is an outcome of systems thinking, and no one does it better than Disney. With a stronger understanding of customer needs and defined service standards, service professionals will feel more comfortable delivering excellent service with the right tools and clear service expectations. Happy employees create happy customers, and the entire organization benefits.
- Five-hour course
Step II of MTBI brings a deeper understanding and more complete description of an individual’s MBTI type. Gain understanding of your personality type, learn about other personality types, and develop strategies to improve communication. Knowing your own preferences as well as your teammates can improve teamwork and compatibility.
- Four-hour course
Learn how MBTI type influences people’s perceptions of, and response to, emotions. Develop strategies for enhancing their emotional intelligence using the MBTI framework.
- Four-hour course
- Prerequisite: MBTI basic course or have taken the MBTI assessment
This course teaches participants about:
- Your own needs in the workplace.
- How teammates and others make behavioral choices.
- How social needs affect the group’s ability to work together.
- How the team can be more effective.
- Four-hour course
Storytelling and engagement go hand in hand. Focus on the benefits of using storytelling to create a compelling business narrative and inspire others to follow your lead. Learn important storytelling tools and use a template to help think through the development of your organizational or personal story.
- Four-hour course
This course is most useful with current or potential executives, managers and C-level teams interested in improving their performance. CPI helps participants identify their strengths and blind spots. Learn to capitalize on strengths, target areas for development, and plan action steps to increase leadership effectiveness.
- Two one-hour individual feedback sessions
Based on Angela Duckworth’s book Grit, participants will examine the components of passion and perseverance and why grit is important, as well as how they can grow grit for themselves and influence its development in others. An assessment of individuals’ grittiness is included in this course.
- Three-hour course
Tennessee Workforce Development Academy
As industries evolve and communities adapt to shifting labor market demands, the need for aligned, forward-thinking workforce solutions has never been greater.
Join us in Cookeville, March 3-5, 2026 for two-and-a-half days of expert instruction, peer learning, and strategic dialogue. Designed for professionals at all experience levels, the TNWFD Academy equips participants with the tools, knowledge and network to deliver effective workforce strategies.
Event Highlights:
- Expert Speakers: Learn from leading voices in economic and workforce development.
- Panel Discussions: Dive into critical workforce topics with experts and peers.
- Meaningful Connections: Build relationships with partners and potential collaborators.
- Real-World Solutions: Explore strategies to tackle workforce challenges.
Who Should Attend?
- Workforce development professionals
- Business and HR leaders
- Community stakeholders
- Economic development practitioners
March 3-5, 2026
Course Times:
- Onsite Check-In: 9:00 AM CST
- Day 1: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM CST
- Networking Reception: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM CST
- Day 2: 8:15 AM–5:15 PM CST
- Day 3: 8:15 AM–2:00 PM CST
Agenda:
View the 2026 Agenda
Location & Hotel:
Holiday Inn Cookeville | 1091 South Willow Avenue, Cookeville, TN 38501 (Group rate available in Hotel Accommodations below)
Registration $595 | Early Registration $545 (through February 9, 2026)
The registration fee includes course instruction. Course materials, lunch (Days 1-3), breakfast (Days 2-3), networking reception (Day 1) and refreshment breaks are complimentary.
Note: Registration does not include hotel accommodations or travel expenses.
Payment Policy: To confirm your registration, please remit payment no later than 10 business days prior to the course start date. Unpaid registrations may be canceled to accommodate individuals on the waitlist.
REGISTER HERE
Registration is limited to 50 participants and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the course is full, we will maintain a waitlist. Email Autumn Derrick directly if you wish to be added.
If you need assistance accessing your K@te account, please call (615)253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a completed course registration form via email.
Cancellations made at least 10 business days prior to the course start date are eligible for a full refund or credit.
Cancellations made less than 10 business days before the course start date are eligible for course credit only, minus a $100 non-refundable cancellation fee.
$595 | Early Registration $545 (By: February 9, 2026)
Notice: Please complete course payment no later than 10 days prior to the start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.
The registration fee covers course materials, instruction, lunch (days 1-3), breakfast (days 2-3) and one networking reception (day 1). It does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited to 50 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Holiday Inn Cookeville
1091 South Willow Avenue
Cookeville, TN 38501
A limited number of rooms will be reserved at a discounted rate of $110. Make your reservations by February 3, 2026, to receive the group rate. Please book early as the block can fill up. Reserve your room, and be sure to select the dates you need to stay for our group rate.
TNWFD Academy scholarships support rural leadership development and workforce collaboration by providing opportunities to participate in the Tennessee Workforce Development Academy.
Preference will be given to applicants who:
- Serve at-risk or distressed counties in Tennessee.
- Have limited access to professional development funding and would be unable to attend without scholarship support.
- Are new to the workforce development field or have fewer than five years of experience.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to workforce development and advancing rural development by applying the skills and knowledge gained through the TNWFD Academy.
Scholarship Applications
- Applications due: January 20, 2026
- A limited number of scholarships are available for participants from Tennessee.
- Scholarships do not cover hotel, travel or evening meals.
- Scholarships are non-transferable.
The attire for the course is business casual.
Contact Autumn Derrick, Workforce Development Consultant, for more information at autumn.derrick@tennessee.edu.
Follow UT CIS on Facebook, X and LinkedIn to get the latest news about this opportunity.
Rue Ramsey is the vice president of workforce and talent strategies at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, where she leads initiatives to strengthen workforce development across industries. A Tulsa native, she founded the award-winning NextGen Talent initiative and has held leadership roles in education and career readiness.
She serves on multiple boards, teaches with IEDC, and has earned recognition for her leadership, including City Year Tulsa’s Student Champion of Success. Rue holds a business administration degree from Oklahoma State University and enjoys supporting her four children alongside her husband, Sterling.
|
Tyler Asher Greg Lowe, TCEcD Brenna Baker Blake Markham Alex Beene Jennie McCabe Sabra Bledsoe Bruce Meck Joe Brooks, TCEcD Selina Moore Jennifer Brown E.L. Morton Randy Brown Victor Oakley Rebekah Brummett Johanna Owenby |
Vicki Bunch Maty Partin Dawn Carlock Brandon Phinx Jason Cecil Sally Porter Kelli Chaney Suzanne Roach Christi Chapman Lisa Samples, TCEcD Jeremy Colbert Dewayne Scott Brian Decker Danielle Seals Chrisi Eggert Jeff Sisk |
Matthew Gann, TCEcD Wesley Skinner Madison Gould Stacey Swann Rachel Grear Jennifer Thacker Kenyatta Head Kevin Treadway Bryan Houston William Watson Shannon Jackson Roderick Woody Damon Johnson Lorna Wright Robert Kennedy Alicia Zuidema |
Workforce Board Assessment & Certification
What is Board Assessment & Certification?
The Board Assessment & Certification Program is a structured approach that:
- Establishes consistency, professional practice and ethical standards.
- Outlines an accepted body of knowledge for workforce boards
- Provides targeted opportunities for professional development of boardmembers.
- Certifies adherence to best practices.
Program Details
The program is assessment-based and fosters high-performing boards by identifying strengths, opportunities for improvement, professional development options and best practices. The certification assessment is customized to align with the primary responsibilities of the board, for example, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
The Workforce Board Assessment approach evaluates the policies, procedures and performance of a workforce development board against two sets of criteria.
- Our nation’s highest standard for excellence, the Baldrige Criteria forPerformance Excellence, produced by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, under the U.S. Department of Commerce (https://www.nist.gov/baldrige/publications/baldrige-excellence-framework).
- The requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Benefits of Board Certification
- Provides formal recognition of achievement of board certification
- Develops systematic processes and essential skills
- Demonstrates credibility and commitment to excellence
- Validates that legal responsibilities of the board are integrated intoboard operations
- Promotes accountability
- Recognizes competence and expertise
- Establishes a model for committees and individuals who execute boarddecisions
- Identifies and prioritizes areas for improvement or innovation
TN Business Retention and Expansion
The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, selected meals and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please make payment for the course no later than 10 business days before the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the wait list.
Cancellations made 10 business days or more before the course start date will be eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 10 business days will be eligible for credit only, minus a $100 cancellation fee.
The hotel group rate provided on this page is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster. Reserve your room and select the dates you need to stay for the group rate. Please book early as the reserved block of rooms could fill up.
A limited number of scholarships are available to course participants from Tennessee. Scholarships do not include hotel, travel or meals.
If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the "Invoice" option. If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are non-transferable.
Download the Scholarship Application, or get more information about scholarships on our Scholarships webpage.
If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at 615-253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a Course Registration Form by email.
The attire for the course is business casual.
Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC)
The four-day Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course (TBEDC), accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), focuses on the fundamental concepts, strategies and tools needed to be successful in today's complex economic environment. Topics include a basic overview of these topics and more:
- Strategic planning
- Finance
- Workforce development
- Business retention and expansion
- Small business development and entrepreneurship
- Marketing and attraction
- Ethics
- Community development
Benefits of TBEDC
- Learn best practices in economic and community development.
- Explore new methods and programs to promote job growth and investment.
- Discuss emerging trends and factors that shape local and regional economies.
- Develop a valuable network of fellow economic development professionals and resources.
- Learn from top economic development experts from across the state and the nation.
Who should attend?
TBEDC is for community leaders and stakeholders who participate in community and economic development at local, regional, state and federal levels.
Typical conference attendees include chamber of commerce and economic and community development organization professionals, elected and appointed officials, government agency staff, community planners, utility personnel, bankers, business leaders, real estate brokers and developers, and community volunteers.
May 4–7, 2026
Course Times:
- Day 1: 10:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m. (Onsite check-in begins at 9:00 a.m.)
- Day 2: 8:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
- Day 3: 8:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
- Day 4: 8:00 a.m. –3:30 p.m.
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville Downtown
300 Korean Veterans Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37201
(Group rate available in Hotel Accomodations below)
2026 Agenda coming soon!
Registration $845 | Early Registration $795 (by April 13, 2026)
The registration fee covers course instruction. Course materials, IEDC Introduction to Economic Development Manual, Lunch (days 1-4), Breakfast (days 2-4), one evening reception, one offsite session, and refreshment breaks are complimentary. Registration does not cover hotel and other travel expenses. Registration is limited to 45 participants and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you need assistance accessing your account, please contact us at (615) 253-6371 or email us. You may also register by submitting a course registration form by email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please remit payment for the course no later than 15 business days prior to the course start date. If payment is not received, you risk having your registration cancelled to make room for those on the waitlist.
Cancellations made 15 business days or more before the course start date are eligible for a full refund or credit toward a future TCED course. Cancellations made less than 15 business days before the course start date are eligible for course credit only, minus a $200 non-refundable cancellation fee.
Drury Plaza Hotel Nashville: A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a discounted rate of $233. Reserve your room. Make your reservations by April 3, 2026 to receive the group rate.
Reservations can also be made by calling (800) 325-0720 and referring to the group number 10153628. Please book early as the block could fill up.
The group rate is available exclusively to registered course attendees. Reservations will be verified against the official course roster.
A limited number of scholarships are available to TBEDC participants from Tennessee. If applying for a scholarship, please register for the class to save a seat and choose the invoice option.
If a scholarship is not awarded, the participant may decide to keep the seat or withdraw at the time of notification with no penalty. Scholarships are limited and non-transferable.
Philip Trauernicht Memorial Scholarship for Rural Leaders
This scholarship is in memory of Philip Trauernicht, a long-time public servant to economic development, whose commitment to rural communities has made a lasting impact on Tennessee.
This annual scholarship provides full tuition to attend annual Tennessee Basic Economic Development Course and up to four nights’ lodging during the course. The award value is approximately $1,800. The recipient will be required to pay a $100 processing fee upon acceptance of the award. Applications must be received by January 9, 2026 to be considered.
Read more about Philip, scholarship qualifications and the application.
TBEDC General Scholarship
The TBEDC General Scholarship covers $595 of the $795 early bird course tuition cost. It does not include hotel, travel or meals. Scholarship recipients are required to pay $200 of the tuition cost which is non-refundable should the participant withdraw from the course after acceptance of the award.
Applications must be submitted by March 20, 2026. Read the submission instructions and application.
TBEDC is accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and counts toward the CEcD certification for professional economic developers.
Upon satisfactory completion of TBEDC, participants will receive a course certificate and will qualify for admission to other IEDC courses for advanced training. CEU credits are available through the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services.
Participants are required to be present at all classes to receive credit for the course. No excuses for absence shall be accepted, except those of illness, family emergency or business emergency.
If illness, immediate family emergency or business emergency forces a student to be absent for more than 10% of the course, it must be repeated for credit to be granted. Travel inconvenience is not considered an emergency.
The attire for TBEDC is business casual.
|
Lori Barton
|
Dave Duncan |
Rebecca Livingston
|
Scott Robertson |
|
Kristina Anderson
|
Cory Gearrin |
Anne Hosea
|
Josh Pickett |
|
Jojo Abreu
|
Justin Crice |
Blake Hopper
|
Chris Self |
|
Donald Anthony
|
Michael Foster |
Jeanette Jones
|
Jena Potter |
|
Kimberly Anderson
|
Aaron Frazier |
Nancy Litrocapes |
Jeffrey Taylor |
|
Sherry Alexander
|
Kristi Gentry |
Janis Kyser
|
Yvonne Pickering |
|
Aline Abderhalden
|
Mike Creasy |
Mai Khuu
|
Randy Rose |
|
Leah Bane |
Charlotte Darlene Ely |
Selina Moore |
Frank Tate |
|
Suzanne Akins |
Ryan Egly |
Janna Jahn |
Kathy Pierce |
FAQs
CONTENT FOR THIS PAGE COMING SOON
TCED Advisory Board
Amy Bunton (2028)
Pathway Lending
Brooxie Carlton (2027)
Tennessee Department of ECD
Kendrick Curtis, PhD (2028)
Middle TN Industrial Development Association
Nick Cunningham (2027)
Middle TN, Tennessee Valley Authority
Mark Farley, TCEcD (2027)
Upper Cumberland Development District
Bill Forrester, MPA, TCEcD (2027)
First Tennessee Development District
Mike Garland, TCEcD (2028)
City of South Pittsburg/Marion County IDB
Dave Kolzow, PhD (Standing)
Team Kolzow, Inc.
Dasha Lundy, PhD, TCEcD (2027)
Knox County Commission, District 1
Rena Purdy, TCEcD (2026)
Wayne County JECDB
Bob Rial, TCEcD (2026)
Dickson County
Justin Snow, TCEcD (2028)
The Roane Alliance
Jeff Taylor, TCEcD (2026)
Greene County Partnership
Mandy White (2028)
Jackson Chamber
Paul Jennings, PhD
Executive Director, UT Center for Industrial Services
193 Polk Avenue, Suite C
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 532-8657
Email: paul.jennings@tennessee.edu
Kim K. Denton, CEcD
Economic Development Director, UT Center for Industrial Services
1610 University Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: (865) 974-8464
Email: kim.denton@tennessee.edu
Tintin Czach, TCEcD
TCED Program Director, UT Center for Industrial Services
193 Polk Avenue, Suite C
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 532-4922
Email: tintin@tennessee.edu
Kendrick Curtis, Ph.D.
Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR)
TCED Alumni Group
The TCED Alumni Group (TAG) brings together Tennessee Certified Economic Developer (TCED) Program graduates who share a passion for serving and strengthening our communities. Through collaboration, networking, and lifelong learning, TAG offers opportunities to connect with fellow professionals, exchange ideas, and build lasting relationships - all while continuing to make a meaningful impact across Tennessee.
