Spencer Sessions

About Spencer Sessions

As Director of Economic Development Incentives at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Spencer Sessions leads the team responsible for managing TVA’s economic development investments programs, and incentives portfolio across the seven-state region. In this role, he directs strategies that help drive growth, capital investment, and quality job creation throughout the Valley—ensuring TVA’s resources continue to strengthen regional competitiveness and long-term prosperity. Previously, Spencer served as Director of Valley Alliances, where he supported TVA’s engagement with long-term partner companies, industry groups, and community organizations. Under his leadership, the Valley Alliances team advanced collaborative strategies that deepened TVA’s customer partnerships and expanded shared impact across the region’s utility and economic development network. Spencer brings more than 20 years of experience in business and economic development, building high-value partnerships at the federal, state, and utility levels. Earlier in his career, he served as Senior Manager of Economic Development Services, leading a team responsible for delivering comprehensive product development, technical, and research support to Valley communities and prospective companies. He also served as Senior Target Market Specialist, spearheading TVA’s recruitment strategies for data centers and mission-critical facilities—efforts that supported major investments from companies such as Google and Facebook. Spencer joined TVA in 2006 as a Senior Project Manager, supporting economic growth across Middle and West Tennessee following his role as Business Developer for the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Spencer holds a B.A. in International Studies from Baylor University and an M.B.A. from Union University, and he is a Gotham Fellow. He has served on the boards of the Tennessee Economic Development Council, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Institute for Faith and Work (NIFW), and the Nashville Adventure Science Center. Spencer lives in Franklin, Tennessee with his wife, Jenny, and their three children—Simon, Sullivan, and Sophie.

Experience

1. Director- Economic Development Incentives

   Tennessee Valley Authority

   Nov 2025 — Present

Education

• Baylor University

  Bachelor’s Degree, International Studies

  1996 — 2000

• Union University

  Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

  2009 — 2011

Skills

• Event Planning
• Research
• Public Speaking
• Workforce Development
• Public Relations
• Business Strategy
• Customer Service
• Energy
• Fundraising
• Marketing Strategy
• Policy
• Budgets
• Community Outreach
• Community Development
• Leadership
• Grant Writing
• Strategic Planning
• Government
• Nonprofits
• Public Policy
• Economic Development
• Program Management
• Project Planning