Q&A with Chris Davis, TVPPA’s New Board Chairman

With more than four decades of service at Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (CEMC), Chris Davis brings a wealth of industry insight and leadership experience, along with a strong belief in the power of collaboration, to his new role as Chairman of TVPPA’s Board of Directors.

Davis, who began his career at CEMC in 1984 and became CEO in 2018, has witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing local power companies across the Valley. From accelerating load growth and evolving customer expectations to major shifts in TVA’s generation landscape, Davis applies his expertise to his role in guiding TVPPA as our organization supports the membership in facing these and other challenges. In this interview, he shares his vision for the year ahead, the value of TVPPA membership, and why the public power model remains more relevant than ever.

Q: Congratulations on being named Chairman of the Board. What does this role mean to you?

A: Thank you — it’s an honor. I’ve been involved with TVPPA for many years, and I’ve always believed in the strength of this organization and the people in it. When I think about this role, I think about service. That’s really what public power is about. My job as chairman is to help our members navigate a fast-changing landscape, support TVA in meeting the Valley’s growing energy needs, and make sure local power companies have a strong, unified voice. Everyone in the Valley is facing similar challenges, and being able to work together on solutions is important to me.

Q: As you begin your term, what are your priorities for the year ahead?

A: Collaboration is at the top of the list. The issues in front of us, like load growth, economic development, electrification, and the need for new generation, aren’t challenges any one LPC can solve alone. We need to be aligned and working together. That includes continued collaboration between municipal systems and cooperatives, because we’re tied together in so many ways under the public power model. We’re often neighbors, and when something benefits a co-op or a muni — whether it’s new technology, committee work, or operational ideas — it usually benefits the other. One of the strengths of TVPPA is that our committees bring both munis and co-ops together, which is exactly how it should be when you have 153 LPCs facing similar needs. I also see the importance of keeping communication with TVA open and transparent so they understand what our members are seeing on the ground. And of course, a big priority is continuing the great work TVPPA is already doing in training, workforce development, and policy engagement.

Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing LPCs and TVA right now?

A: Load growth is the biggest one — the numbers are unlike anything we’ve seen in decades. Between data centers, industrial recruitment, and population growth, demand is rising fast. That brings pressure on TVA to add generation and on LPCs to maintain and upgrade distribution systems. It’s a good challenge, because it shows the Valley is thriving, but it’s a challenge nonetheless. Another issue is timing. We need generation added quickly, and we need clear communication about what TVA is planning and when. Our members also face customer expectations that continue to evolve. People want more information, more reliability, and more innovation.

Q: How does TVPPA help members navigate these challenges?

A: TVPPA’s role is critical. It gives LPCs a place to compare notes, share ideas, and find out what’s working for others. When you’re dealing with rapid growth or complicated policy issues, it helps to know you’re not alone. TVPPA also provides training that’s second to none… and not just for lineworkers, but for engineers, operations staff, leadership teams, everyone. And just as important is advocacy. TVPPA helps communicate our needs to TVA and works in Washington, D.C., to shine a light on important issues that matter to LPCs and the communities we serve. It’s a true partnership.

Q: With increasing pressure on TVA to add generation, what’s your perspective on where things stand today?

A: TVA has a tough job ahead of it, and I think they’re taking it seriously. They’ve been clear that they have to add generation — both traditional and new resources — to keep up with demand. From the LPC perspective, what we need is transparency, communication, and a plan we can count on. Most of us understand the magnitude of what TVA is dealing with, but we also know our communities are counting on us to deliver reliable power every day. That’s why having open dialogue is so important.

Q: In some regions served by investor-owned utilities, residential rates have increased to cover the infrastructure demands created by new data centers. Is that something LPCs in the Valley should be concerned about? And if so, how should we address it with our customers?

A: Yes, it’s something we need to pay attention to. In my view, any infrastructure required to serve large AI or data center loads should be paid for upfront by the companies themselves. Our members or customers shouldn’t bear those capital costs. There’s also ongoing discussion with TVA about creating a separate rate class for AIdriven businesses, so that their costs are recovered through their own rate rather than being spread across the system. That’s something we’ll have to work through with TVA and with the companies that want to locate here, but I feel strongly that our residential and small-commercial customers shouldn’t be subsidizing those expenses.

Q: Why do you believe the public power model remains strong and relevant today?

A: Because it puts the community first. That’s what makes public power different from investor-owned utilities: our members and customers are our owners. Every decision we make is about serving the people who live, work, and raise families in our communities. When storms hit, when outages happen, when growth brings new challenges, LPCs respond because they care about their neighbors. That model has worked for decades, and it’s going to carry us through the challenges ahead. The Valley is strong because of the commitment of LPC employees, board members, and leaders who genuinely want the best for their communities.

Q: What gives you the most confidence as you look ahead?

A: The people. I’ve been in this industry for more than 40 years, and I’ve never seen a group more dedicated than the folks who work for LPCs, TVPPA, or TVA. Whether you’re talking about lineworkers, engineers, accountants, customer service representatives, general managers, or Doug, Danette, or any of the TVPPA staff — they all take pride in what they do. And across the Valley, our communities are growing. That means opportunity. If we stay focused, communicate openly, and work together, I think the future looks bright for all of us.