Matthew Wade, Assistant Commissioner for Business Development

Matthew Wade serves as Assistant Commissioner for Business Development. In this role, he oversees advancement activities, including opportunities, incentives, and promotions for Tennessee farmers, forest land owners, and agribusinesses to boost rural economies and increase operation income. He and his staff are charged with engaging new industries and growing existing agricultural and forestry businesses.

Wade joined TDA in February 2024 after retiring from Middle Tennessee State University. During his 28 years of service at MTSU, Matthew served in many different roles, spending the last 10 years as Director of the MTSU Farm Laboratories. In that role, he was instrumental in creating the bottling operation for the MTSU Creamery, making their famous chocolate milk available to the public for the first time.

Wade earned a Master’s in Business Administration from Middle Tennessee State University (2007) and a B.S. degree in Agricultural Business with a minor in Marketing from Middle Tennessee State University (1993).

He is originally from Tennessee City, about which he says, “You can’t get any more Tennessee than me.” He now resides on a small beef cattle farm in Bell Buckle with his wife of more than 30 years, Krista. They have two sons who were very active in 4-H and are now married and pursuing careers in aviation and concrete.