The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced that Sam Wills has been named Southeast Tennessee regional director. Mr. Wills will be responsible for leading the state’s economic development efforts in the area that serves Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, Polk, Rhea, McMinn, Meigs and Sequatchie counties.
“Sam will be a terrific addition to our TNECD Business Development team. He will help continue the positive economic development momentum prevailing in the Southeast Region,” Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “His leadership will be impactful in the area since he has worked with many of our incumbent industries throughout his career and has well-established relationships throughout the region.”
Mr. Wills will serve as the primary point of contact for existing industry expansions and will help attract new businesses, align workforce development strategies and support other regional economic and rural development initiatives.
Prior to joining TNECD, Wills served in several capacities over his 20 year career with EMJ Corporation, Inc., one of the nation’s leading construction management firms. Most recently he was the Director of Business Development assisting in the procurement of industrial projects for the company, including Volkswagen, Wacker Polysilicon, Occidental Chemical and others. Wills brings a vast amount of experience in working with other business sectors including health care, education, retail, hospitality, warehousing and distribution.
Mr. Wills is a graduate of Lee University in Cleveland, and acquired a Masters of Divinity degree from Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis.