The Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors has selected Director Mitch Graves to serve as chair of the board through April 1, 2027, and named Director Jeff Hagood as chair-elect for the following term.
The leadership selections were announced Thursday by the federal utility, which provides electricity to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states.
The Tennessee Valley Authority supplies electricity to local utilities serving communities across North Alabama, including Huntsville Utilities, Decatur Utilities and the Tennessee Valley Electric Cooperative. TVA’s leadership decisions often shape power generation investments, reliability planning and economic development efforts that affect the region’s growing technology, defense and manufacturing sectors.
Hagood will assume the chair position at the conclusion of Graves’ term and is scheduled to serve through May 18, 2029.
“Over the last few months, Directors Graves and Hagood have been tremendous advocates for TVA as we work together to unleash American energy,” said TVA President and CEO Don Moul. “Director Graves has served on the Board and Chair of TVA’s largest customer – MLGW – and Director Hagood, a prominent lawyer, has demonstrated experience growing and running successful businesses. With these experienced leaders, in addition to the rest of the Board of Directors and TVA’s dedicated and talented employees, TVA is well positioned to power opportunity in the Valley.”
Graves, a Memphis resident and CEO of West Cancer Center & Research Institute, brings more than 30 years of healthcare leadership experience to the role. He previously served on the Memphis Light Gas and Water Board for nearly a decade, including time as chair and interim CEO.
“I am honored to be selected by my fellow directors to serve as Chair of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors,” said Graves. “This is an exciting moment for our region as we work together to build generation, keep rates affordable and deliver the reliable energy that powers homes and businesses.”
Hagood, a Knoxville attorney and businessman, has spent decades providing legal counsel to leaders across the Tennessee Valley in business, sports, politics and community life. He has also built a diverse portfolio of business ventures and provides strategic counsel on numerous charitable boards.
“TVA has long been part of my family’s history, and I am grateful to my fellow Board members for the opportunity to serve in an expanded way,” said Hagood. “As we meet growing energy demand, our focus will remain on reliability, affordability and attracting jobs to the Valley.”
Board members of the Tennessee Valley Authority are appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. The board selects one of its members to serve as chair.
The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation’s largest public power supplier, delivering electricity through a diverse generation portfolio that includes nuclear, hydroelectric, solar and natural gas resources.
TVA receives no taxpayer funding and derives most of its revenue from electricity sales while also supporting flood control, navigation and economic development throughout the Tennessee River system.
Sherri Blevins is a reporter for 256 Today.
