Ronald Walter, of Memphis, on Tuesday became a member of the Tennessee Valley Authority board, taking the oath of office in a ceremony in Memphis. His term expires May 18, 2019.
Mr.
Walter, nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 9, was sworn in by Judge Bernice B. Donald of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit during a private ceremony.
“I am honored the president and Senate have confidence in my abilities and look forward to serving on the board,” Mr. Walter said. “During my tenure at Memphis Light, Gas and Water, I worked with TVA and I’m looking forward to my expanded role in working with the people of the Tennessee Valley.”
Director Walter lives in Memphis and is currently the president and general manager of WREG-TV, a position he has held since 2004. He has served in a variety of positions at the television station since 1987 including executive vice president and station manager and concurrently serving as vice president of Government and Cable Relations for the New York Times Broadcast Group, WREG-TV’s former parent company. Walter was vice president of Customer Relations for Memphis Light, Gas and Water from 1982 to 1987, and served as assistant to the president at MLGW from 1980 to 1982.
Mr. Walter received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree from Clark University and a Master’s of Science degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Mr. Walter is one of two newly-confirmed appointments to the TVA board of directors. Virginia Lodge, of Nashville, was also sworn in Tuesday. Ms. Lodge and Mr. Walter are filling the seats of board members Barbara Haskew of Chattanooga, and Bill Sansom, of Knoxville, whose terms expired in May. They will join TVA Board Chairman Joe Ritch, of Huntsville, and current members Marilyn A. Brown, of Atlanta; V. Lynn Evans, of Memphis.; Richard Howorth, of Oxford, Ms.; Peter Mahurin, of Bowling Green, Ky., and Michael McWherter of Jackson, Tn.
One vacancy remains on the nine-member board.