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TVA names Bert Robinson of East Tennessee as Eastern Region Manager

story April 9, 2024
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Bert Robinson is a people person and has been fascinated by the Tennessee Valley Authority since he was a child watching the cooling towers of the Watts Bar Nuclear Power Plant.

The combination makes him ideal for his newest job at TVA. After 16 years with the federal utility, Robinson became executive director of the TVA East Region on April 8. In this role, he will oversee relationships with TVA customers, community partners and elected officials throughout East Tennessee.

The Eastern Region includes headquarters in Knoxville, a major operational hub in Chattanooga, and over 12,000 megawatts of power generation, including two nuclear power plants.

“I am excited about the opportunities to continue on this path of the regional model and have the customers, the elected officials and the community leaders all working together to achieve a common goal and make this a great place,” Robinson Knox said -News.

A native of East Tennessee, Robinson grew up in Athens and attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. After working on Capitol Hill and at a nonprofit, Robinson came home and joined TVA, the nation's largest public utility.

In addition to generating and selling electricity, TVA is a leader in economic development, attracting companies to the Tennessee Valley with relatively cheap industrial power. This makes it one of the most powerful partners of city administrations and chambers of commerce.

Robinson's predecessor as eastern regional director, Carol Elmers, worked in Chattanooga. Although he will be based in Knoxville, Robinson said he will travel throughout the region, including historically overlooked rural areas.

“I actually sit outside of my vehicle. I travel a lot,” Robinson said. “It will be a seamless transition for me.”

Robinson and his wife Heather have a daughter and a son. He is a board member of the American Red Cross of East Tennessee and the East Tennessee Economic Council and holds a private pilot certificate.

How big is TVA's East Region?

East Tennessee is TVA's home base and a large portion of its electric grid. The Eastern Region includes parts of Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.

The region is home to:

  • 4.2 million people
  • 39 local energy companies, including the Knoxville Utilities Board
  • 9 directly serve industrial customers, including the Department of Energy and Arconic
  • 7,800 employees
  • 11,200 retired employees
  • 10,000 contractors
  • Over 12,000 megawatts of electricity generation, including the Watts Bar and Sequoyah nuclear power plants and the Kingston Fossil Power Plant
  • Over 5,900 miles of Tennessee River shoreline are managed by TVA

Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focusing on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email [email protected].

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