NASHVILLE, TN — Global Action Platform (GAP) is pleased to announce the launch of the Tennessee Leaders Action Platform (TLAP), a new statewide leadership and action initiative designed to strengthen Tennessee’s long-term competitiveness through place-based economic development, innovation hub formation and shared prosperity.

At the center of TLAP is the Inaugural 2026 Porter Development Initiative (PDI) Leaders Academy which brings together highly engaged senior leaders from across Tennessee to study regional competitiveness, analyze economic clusters, and translate insight into coordinated, region-specific action.

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A Statewide, Place-Based Economic Leadership Model

TLAP is organized around eight regional economic cluster zones that together span the full geography of Tennessee. Each region is led by a distinguished Regional Steering Committee and Committee Chairs, reflecting the cross-sector leadership required to address complex economic and social challenges and opportunities.

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Regional Steering Committee Chairs

Cluster Zone 1:  Tri-Cities Anchor

• Brian Noland, President, East Tennessee State University

Cluster Zone 2:  Knoxville–Oak Ridge Anchor

• Donde Plowman, Chancellor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Tammy White, President, Leadership Knoxville

Cluster Zone 3:  Chattanooga Anchor

• Tim Kelly, Mayor, Chattanooga

Cluster Zone 4:  Cookeville–Crossville Anchor

• Mark Farley, President, Upper Cumberland Development District

Cluster Zone 5:  Nashville-Murfreesboro Anchor

• Bob Higgins, Chairman, Barge Design Solutions
• Nick Zeppos, Chancellor Emeritus, Vanderbilt University

Cluster Zone 6:  Clarksville-Fort Campbell anchor

• Buck Dellinger, President, Clarksville Economic Development Corporation
• Jeff Truitt, President, Servpro Southeast

Cluster Zone 7:  Jackson–Martin Anchor

• Yancy Freeman, Chancellor, University of Tennessee at Martin
• Matt Marshall, President, United Way of West Tennessee

Cluster Zone 8:  Memphis Anchor

• Bill Hardgrave, President, University of Memphis
• Anna McQuiston, Executive Director, MidSouth Development District

The 2026 PDI Leaders Academy

The inaugural Academy will convene approximately 100–140 leaders, nominated by the eight Regional Steering Committees. Participants will study Harvard case materials on effective cluster strategies, Tennessee-specific cluster and competitiveness data, and peer learning across regions—culminating in action plans tailored to each region’s economic footprint.

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Advancing Competitiveness and Shared Prosperity

Through TLAP and the PDI Leaders Academy, GAP is building a durable, nonpartisan infrastructure for statewide place-based economic stewardship—one that strengthens regional leadership capacity, deepens collaboration across sectors, and ensures that economic growth translates into opportunity and improved quality of life for communities across Tennessee.

Further announcements regarding the 2026 Academy, regional delegations, and participation opportunities will be shared in the coming months.

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