Who We Are
The BRIDGE team is dedicated to promoting economic growth and prosperity throughout Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. With experience in traditional economic development, workforce development, housing development, research and marketing, and non-profit funding, we stand ready to assist communities, existing economic developers, and businesses.
Our Team
John Rose
Executive Director
John spent 20 years building residential, commercial, municipal and industrial projects throughout the region before founding his own company, which built homes and developed subdivisions. Most recently he served as Economic Development Director for Kingsport, Tennessee.
McKenzie Templeton
Development Director
McKenzie's background stretches across the region and covers areas like nonprofit programming, workforce attraction and retention, development initiatives, and social media marketing. She is a graduate of Leadership Tennessee NEXT and the organizer of TEDxJohnsonCity.
Rebecca Davis
Finance Director
Rebecca has 15 years of expertise in finances and an extensive background in organizational, community, and economic development that reaches across the region. Her biggest passion is working to build systems and partnerships that transform organizations and communities.
BRIDGE Board of Directors
Julie Bennett
Chair
Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary
Ballad Health
Brian Noland
Vice Chair
President
East Tennessee State University
Adrian Holt
Secretary/Treasurer
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Eastman
Cathy Ball
City Manager
Johnson City, Tennessee
Will Barrett
President & CEO
Bank of Tennessee
Jerry Caldwell
President & General Manager
Bristol Motor Speedway
Mark Costa
Chairman & CEO
Eastman
Joe Grandy
Mayor,
Washington County, Tennessee
Alan Levine
Chairman and CEO
Ballad Health
Paul Montgomery
Mayor
Kingsport, Tennessee
Richard Venable
Mayor
Sullivan County, Tennessee
MISSION
Cultivate economic growth and celebrate the unique quality of life in our region.
VISION
Be a driving force in uniting our communities to build prosperous, thriving areas that are recognized globally.
VALUES
We believe in working together to attract investments and form partnerships that benefit everyone in the region.
