The Tennessee State Workforce Development Board on Tuesday heard details of Tennessee Works, a consultant-led strategy that recommends creating an interagency coordination hub to centralize employer engagement, data and program alignment across state agencies. The board’s staff and outside consultants told members the hub would serve as a one-touch point for employers, consolidate metrics and support targeted initiatives to attract jobs to Tennessee.

The presentation, delivered by consultant Jenny Brinkman with project lead Charlie Terrell and stakeholder lead Mary Beth Eichard, said the team interviewed more than 42 stakeholders representing over 100 employers and identified 62 state positions that now serve employers. “We had 12 weeks working hand in hand across three agencies with the vision front and center for Tennessee to be number one in the country for economic success,” Terrell said during the presentation.

Board members were shown a roadmap that maps shared vision, capabilities, technology needs and performance metrics. The consultants recommended an executive-led hub with six core functions: workforce strategy and insights; centralized employer engagement for priority industries; a shared data/technology platform; coordination and strategy activation; funding and braided resource allocation; and outcome tracking. Commissioner Denise Thomas and other officials framed the hub as a way to reduce duplication across agencies and provide a single “quarterback” for workforce and economic development activities.

Presenters emphasized that Tennessee’s strengths—strong leadership, clear KPIs and skilled teams—create a base for the hub while challenges include fragmented employer contacts, duplicated programs and uneven data integration. TVA and site selectors were repeatedly cited as important external stakeholders that helped shape recommendations. Consultants said the hub could also support recruitment by building a coordinated brand for Tennessee Works and by streamlining the path for employers and job seekers.

Board members asked clarifying questions; several members who participated in a prior day’s strategic session said the recommendation aligned with that work. Executive Director Amy Mayberry told members the board will continue plotting its strategic agenda and that the new Tennessee Works website will publicize the board’s plans, notice opportunities and host strategic material. No formal vote was taken on the hub; the presentation functioned as a briefing and a request for further implementation planning and coordination with the governor’s budget team.

Board members said they expect more details about staffing, funding and performance metrics as planning moves from concept to implementation. The consultants and staff said next steps include defining the hub’s operating model, confirming required IT capabilities and proposing an executive director role to lead day-to-day coordination.

The presentation is part of a broader push by the board—endorsed in recent strategy sessions—to better align workforce programs with economic development activity across state agencies and to position Tennessee to attract and retain high-quality employers.