I’m honored to appear before you today and be considered as a member of this new nine member TVA Board. I want to thank Senator Bill Frist and Senator Lamar Alexander for their support and encouragement.

I appreciate President Bush recommending me as one of the new board members to your committee and the Senate.

I think you have made a wise decision to change the board structure, and I’ll do all I can to make that a right decision for you and the TVA customers. I’ll support TVA’s missions including providing reliable, competitive and environmentally clean electricity to the people in this region.

I’ve dredged sand and gravel and operated towboats on the Tennessee River, plus done a lot of water skiing on the TVA lakes. I recognize the navigation requirements, the need to protect the environment, provide flood prevention, and effectively use our water resources.

I look forward to helping set up this new board and providing leadership and strategic direction for TVA.

I think this board can be thoughtful, objective, inquiring and deliberate about issues facing TVA today, and I look forward to working with you and your goals for TVA and making intelligent business decisions.

Thank you for this opportunity to appear before you today and your consideration