Mildred Callaway Named TVA Regional Development Specialist in Tennessee

April 9, 2009

TUPELO, Miss. – Stephen Surles has been named regional development specialist with TVA’s economic development staff in the Mississippi district.

Surles will support local distributors of TVA power, the Mississippi Development Authority, and regional and local community economic development organizations. His responsibilities include assisting prospective or expanding industries, providing financial and technical services, and helping communities support and expand existing businesses.

Surles previously served as the lead economic developer for the Union County Development Association in New Albany, Miss. While there, he was instrumental in the location of many tier-one automotive suppliers and retail establishments.

Prior to working in Union County, Surles served as president and chief executive officer of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce and executive director of the Monroe County Council of Governments in Aberdeen and Amory, Miss.

During his tenure in Union and Monroe counties, Surles was recognized among an elite list of developers across the country as a result of achieving more than $650 million in capital investment and 1,500 new jobs.

He has a bachelor’s degree from Troy University, Troy, Alabama, and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. Surles serves on numerous boards both in North Mississippi and statewide including the Mississippi Economic Development Council and Three Rivers Planning Development District.

“Stephen Surles’ expertise and talents will be valuable to TVA and the Mississippi region as we continue to develop new business and assist existing ones,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley.

TVA, working with distributors of TVA power, Valley communities, and regional and state economic development partners, helped retain or attract almost 42,000 jobs in fiscal year 2008 and leveraged investments of $5.5 billion in the region during the same period. Economic development is a major part of TVA’s core mission. More information about TVA’s economic development effort is available at TVAed.com.

TVA is the nation’s largest public power provider and is completely self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve approximately 9 million consumers in seven southeastern states. TVA also manages the Tennessee River and its tributaries to provide multiple benefits, including flood damage reduction, navigation, water quality and recreation.

Media Contact

Jim Allen, Knoxville, (865) 632-7453
TVA News Bureau, Knoxville, (865) 632-6000

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