This month, Roane County Executive Wade Creswell facilitated a regional leadership visit to Huntsville, Alabama, bringing together elected officials and community leaders from the Oak Ridge area to explore new strategies in economic development, innovation, and long-term regional growth.
The delegation composed of Wade Creswell (Roane County Executive), Terry Frank (Anderson County Mayor), Randy Hemann (Oak Ridge City Manager), Tom Pessemier (City of Oak Ridge), Alan Lowe (American Museum of Science and Energy), and Mike Magill (Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation) spent two days in Huntsville meeting with public and private sector leaders to examine the city’s approach to sustained economic success.
The visit included key sessions with:
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Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle
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Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong
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Chamber President Chip Cherry and senior Chamber staff
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Wes Kelley, CEO of Huntsville Utilities
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Shane Davis and Jim McGuffey of the Urban and Economic Development Department
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Dennis Madsen, Urban & Long-Range Planning
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Lucia Cape, Chamber SVP for Economic Development and Workforce
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Brenda Perez, CEO of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center
The trip featured discussions on regional collaboration, energy infrastructure, urban planning, workforce development, and community partnerships. The delegation also toured the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, gaining insight into how Huntsville leverages STEM education and tourism as part of its economic strategy.
“This visit was about learning from a region that shares many of our assets such as proximity to national labs, federal investment, and a skilled workforce and has successfully translated those assets into sustained, smart growth,” said Executive Creswell. “It was an incredible opportunity to deepen relationships and bring back ideas that can help strengthen our region.”
The initiative reflects a growing spirit of regionalism between Roane County, Oak Ridge, and surrounding areas, one that embraces innovation, cross-county collaboration, and strategic planning to support long-term prosperity.
Published: July 25, 2025