KNOXVILLE, TENN. — The Tennessee Valley Authority recently announced that Bert Robinson has been appointed as the executive leader of the agency’s East Region, which focuses on serving customers and communities across East Tennessee as well as North Georgia, Western North Carolina and Southwest Virginia.
Robinson’s 16-year career at TVA includes achievements in strategic planning, incident management, talent development and strategic alliances. His diverse experience and expertise is regularly sought on issues related to policy initiatives, regulatory compliance, transmission right-of-way and asset strategy decisions.
Robinson most recently served as the East Region’s Director of Government & Community Relations, assembling and mentoring high-performing teams that provide guidance to TVA leaders on the nuanced political and stakeholder environment within which the agency operates.
“Our ability to deliver on TVA’s mission of service relies on partnerships, and very few people are better positioned to manage relationships that best serve our regional partners and customers than Bert Robinson,” TVA Senior Vice President of Regional Relations Dan Pratt said. “He’s passionate about TVA’s mission and possesses endearing humility. His gifts for building meaningful relationships, earning trust and developing effective strategies make him an invaluable asset to TVA. Bert is a great fit for this role.”
Born, raised and educated in TVA’s East Region, Robinson hails from Athens, Tennessee, and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He joined TVA in 2008 following stints in the nonprofit sphere and Capitol Hill, quickly demonstrating a talent for cultivating productive relationships. This most recent promotion illustrates the value of his guidance and stakeholder engagement effectiveness across the company.
“The opportunity to lead such an incredible and accomplished group of professionals is exciting,” Robinson said. “Every day, the East Region team demonstrates a commitment to our customers and stakeholders by living TVA’s values of safety, integrity, inclusion and service. Doing so helps us strengthen TVA’s partnerships with the communities we serve together.”
Robinson has built strong relationships with internal and external partners, including elected officials, local power companies, as well as influential leaders in business, government and media. Valley-wide, he has forged working partnerships with policymakers in government agencies, corporate executives and local chambers of commerce.
Those are talents honed while working in the Washington, D.C., office of Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. In that capacity, Robinson staffed the TVA Congressional Caucus and monitored utility issues, gaining valuable perspective that positioned him for his career at TVA.
In addition to earning his bachelor’s degree from UT, Robinson is a graduate of the TVA/Vanderbilt University Leadership and Management for Accelerated Performance program. He also graduated from the TVA Executive Candidate Leadership Program and completed both the three-year Public Affairs Institute and the Leadership Knoxville Flagship Program in 2017.
An Eagle Scout and active community volunteer, Robinson serves on the Board of the American Red Cross of East Tennessee, volunteers with Leadership Knoxville, sits on the board of the East Tennessee Economic Council and is also an institutional liaison to the Tennessee Valley Corridor.
Robinson holds a private pilot certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. He and his wife, Heather, have a daughter and son and call TVA’s East Region home.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering energy to 10 million people across seven southeastern states. TVA was established 90 years ago to serve this region and the nation by developing innovative solutions to solve complex challenges. TVA’s unique mission focuses on energy, environmental stewardship, and economic development. With one of the largest, most diverse, and cleanest energy systems — including nuclear, hydro, solar, gas, and advanced technologies — TVA is a leader in our nation’s drive toward a clean energy future.
TVA is a corporate agency of the United States, receiving no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system, and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.
Most Popular
Comments / 0