Knoxville, Tenn. (May 1, 2025) – The Technology-Enhanced Advanced Mobility in Tennessee (TEAM TN) initiative has officially announced its inaugural board of directors, marking a major milestone in Tennessee’s path to becoming a global leader in mobility innovation and technology. 

TEAM TN is a first-of-its-kind coalition bringing together more than 200 public and private stakeholders—including universities, national laboratories, startups, economic and community development agencies, and employers—to drive economic growth, innovation and workforce development through mobility-focused innovation. Funded in part by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Development Engines program, TEAM TN is led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and builds on the state’s historic strengths in transportation, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

The coalition’s ten-year vision is centered on electrification and automation in mobility, with an emphasis on developing ten AI-inspired information and communication technologies (ICT). Advances in ICT, and especially AI, are driving disruptive innovation in the mobility market. This means leveraging digital innovation to enhance the performance, safety, and efficiency of modern transportation systems. TEAM TN’s broader impacts include the sustained diversification and growth of Tennessee’s innovation economy and the creation of mutual and reciprocal benefits for businesses, communities, and residents of the state.

“It’s hard to overstate the opportunity in front of us. Tennessee has the potential to not only become a global destination for the future of automotive manufacturing, but for R&D as well. The relationships we are building and the investments we’re making right now to build up the state’s innovation, workforce development, and infrastructure will pay dividends for generations to come,” said University of Tennessee, Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman.

“As Tennessee navigates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead in AI-enabled Information and Communication Technologies and drive innovation-based growth in advanced mobility, our coalition has mobilized to develop an integrated strategic implementation plan that promises a transformative impact on our economy and declares Tennessee as a global competitor across a range of industry sectors,” said Marc Gibson, Interim CEO of TEAM TN and Associate Vice Chancellor of Partnerships and Economic Development at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

The newly appointed board of directors represents stakeholders from across Tennessee’s mobility innovation ecosystem, including:

• Brandon Bruce, General Partner, Market Square Ventures
• Gale Jones Carson, President, Memphis Urban League
• Industry Partner Rotators (two seats available)
• Maha Krishnamurthy, President, University of Tennessee Research Foundation
• Vonda McDaniel, President, Central Labor Council of Nashville and Middle Tennessee
• Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
• Donde Plowman, Chancellor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Commissioner David Salyers, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation
• Commissioner Deneice Thomas, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Michael Torrence, President and CEO, Motlow State Community College
• Flora Tydings, Chancellor, Tennessee Board of Regents
• Grady Vanderhoofven, Founder & CEO, Three Roots Capital
• Robert Wagner, Associate Laboratory Director, Energy Science and Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

QUOTES

“TEAM TN’s elevation of Tennessee as a place for world-class talent, leading research institutions, exceptional quality of life and business-friendly climate highlights key points that TNECD utilizes for company recruitment to the state. On behalf of the department, we are excited to support this extremely talented coalition of partners in an effort to make Tennessee a national hub for innovation and R&D investment.” Commissioner Stuart C. McWhorter, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

“TEAM TN’s mission to advance Tennessee’s workforce through technology and innovation in the fields of electrification and automation in mobility aligns seamlessly with the department’s mission. This coalition will have a tremendous impact on the state’s effort to build the most skilled workforce in the nation.” Commissioner Deneice Thomas, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

“Co-creation is a huge part of how we work. It’s critical that we partner with other industry leaders to combine our areas of expertise to drive true breakthrough innovation and value. TEAM TN is based on the idea of collaboration and co-creation, and we’re proud to be a part of it. We want to help foster a sustainable mobility ecosystem, and that starts right here in the state that is home to our Americas headquarters and a large portion of our U.S.-based manufacturing footprint.” Mark Metoki, Director, Consumer Replacement-Infrastructure Building, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions

“The diverse partners in TEAM TN will help us support the research and development needed to incorporate advanced mobility into the extensive intermodal transportation network across Tennessee. This is critical to our continued economic growth in urban, suburban, and rural communities.” Joel Murdock, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships, FedEx 

“TEAM TN is shaping a future where innovation, mobility, and equity intersect to power Tennessee’s economic transformation. At Motlow State, we are proud to co-lead this movement—building workforce pathways that center emerging technologies, empower communities, and position our state as a global force in automation, AI, and advanced manufacturing. This is how we build prosperity now—and for generations to come.” Michael Torrence, Ph.D., President and CEO, Motlow State Community College 

About TEAM TN

TEAM TN is an NSF Regional Innovation Development Engine led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. With over 200 stakeholder organizations, TEAM TN aims to position Tennessee as a global leader in advanced mobility. To learn more and get involved, visit www.teamtn.org.