For Immediate Release
Contact
Winston Broks
931-247-1574
wbrooks@tullahomatn.gov
Beverly Lee, Board Member of Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation, Receives TEDC 2023 Volunteer of the Year Award
The Tennessee Economic Development Council (TEDC) has recognized Beverly Lee, Colonel, USAF (Retired) as the 2023 TEDC Volunteer of the Year. Lee has been honored with this award due to her dedication to volunteerism in economic development projects in her region.
As a volunteer board member of the Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation, Beverly Lee is a passionate proponent of the economic development of Tullahoma, TN. Thanks to her efforts, the Association of Defense Communities (ADC) named Tullahoma a Great American Defense Community. This award recognizes the community’s dedication to becoming more resilient and supporting the mission of Arnold Air Force Base. As a result, Tullahoma was highlighted in a workforce video released by the ADC, Colonel Lee was a panelist at the ADC conference, and the city gained a new source of funding through the Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Communities Cooperation.
Colonel Lee has accepted Awards of Excellence for several projects she has contributed to, including:
• Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse (2022) – a $1.2 million project redeveloping a WWII airport maintenance hangar.
• Economic Equity and Inclusion (2023) – a $16 million project to redevelop an 88-unit multi-family affordable housing complex.
• Innovation Programs and Initiatives (2023) – developing all materials and research to advocate for the Arnold Heritage and Innovation Center, which will provide space and programs for workforce development in the region.
Colonel Lee has spearheaded multiple other projects for the betterment of her region and regularly represents Tullahoma at economic development conferences across the country. In addition, her skills as a former intelligence officer and public affairs chief contribute to her talent for proposal writing, and this year, she has submitted two proposals for strategic projects worth $570,000.
“Colonel Beverly Lee’s leadership, passion, and time commitment to Tullahoma’s economic development deserves to be recognized and honored,” said Winston Brooks, Executive Director of the Tullahoma Area Economic Development Corporation. “In her time as a board member, she has provided the skills and leadership that have advanced the organization’s success and put our region in a better position for economic growth.”
The Jim Spradley Volunteer of the Year Award is granted to individuals who freely give their time and talent to further the economic progress of Tennessee. Their activities and accomplishments in the field of industrial and economic development extend far beyond those necessary to satisfy the requirements of the vocation for which they are compensated. It is given in honor of Jim Spradley, a good friend of TEDC.
TEDC is the statewide professional organization for people involved in economic development. Awards were presented in a ceremony during the TEDC Annual Fall Conference, which was held in Franklin, TN this year.
Pictured left to right: Presenter Winston Brooks, Executive Director Tullahoma Area Economic Development; Volunteer of the Year Beverly Lee, Colonel, USAF (Retired), Board Member of Tullahoma Area Economic Development
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