State Workforce Development Board Meeting - February 2026

February 27, 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm CST

Event

February 27, 2026

10:30 am to 12:30 pm CST


Location

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development PEARL Center 220 French Landing Drive Nashville, TN 37243

The State Workforce Development Board is scheduled to meet Friday, February 27, 2026. The meeting is 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues relevant to Tennessee’s Workforce Development System. The vision of the State Workforce Development Board is to increase the competitive position of Tennessee businesses and attract new businesses through the development of a highly skilled workforce.

Individuals with disabilities who wish to participate in these proceedings should contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to discuss any auxiliary aids or services needed to facilitate such participation. Such contact may be in person, by writing, telephone, or other means and should be made no less than ten days prior to the scheduled meeting date to allow time to provide such aid or service. Contact the Department of Labor and Workforce Development at telephone number (615) 741-0354. Hearing impaired callers may use TTY (615) 532-2879 or 800-848-0298. TDD (Voice) 800-848-0299.

Individuals who may need assistance and who wish to participate in these proceedings should contact Evelyn Gaines Guzman ten days prior to the meeting at evelyn.gaines.guzman@tn.gov, 615-253-1331.

Agenda

Welcome - 10:30 a.m.

Tim Berry, Chair

Roll Call - 10:32 a.m.

Iler Bradley, Workforce Systems Project Manager, Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Economic Development and Tennessee’s Workforce - 10:35 a.m.

Stuart C. McWhorter, Deputy Governor and Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

Strategic Goal: Coordinated Workforce System - 10:55 a.m

Early Childhood Education Pathways
Blair Taylor, President & CEO, Tennesseans for Quality Early Education

Consent Agenda (vote required) - 11:05 a.m.

Workforce System Updates - 11:10 a.m.

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Strategic Goal: Worker Mobility - 11:20 a.m.

Labor Market Intermediaries
Jon Shefner, Director, Community University Research Collaboration Initiative, University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Strategic Goal: Increasing Labor Force Participation - 11:40 a.m.

Advancing Careers Benefits Cliffs: Tennessee Data
Alexander Ruder, Assistant Vice President | Community & Economic Development

Committee Updates - 12 p.m.

Oversight Committee

Operations Committee

Innovation Committee (vote required)

Closing Remarks - 12:30 p.m.

Tim Berry, Chair