Josh Brown, President & CEO, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry

In an interview with Invest:, Josh Brown, president and CEO of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, discussed federal advocacy, workforce development, sector-specific councils, and infrastructure investment. “We want to make sure everyone feels they have a seat at the table and a shared stake in our success.”

What have been some recent successes for the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry?
Two achievements stand out. First, we wanted to give our members more opportunities to engage on federal issues. With significant activity under the new administration, including budget talks and efforts to renew major tax cuts and credits, we saw the need. So, in February, we launched a Federal Affairs Committee. To my knowledge, it’s the first time the Chamber has provided this kind of engagement.

The committee hosts monthly calls where members connect with our federal delegation to discuss national issues. It also allows us to advocate directly on their behalf. We’ve added quarterly roundtables with delegation members. Our first was with Congressman David Kustoff of the Ways and Means Committee. It was a valuable discussion, and we plan to continue these sessions.

Second, we’re launching Industry Advisory Councils to focus more intentionally on key sectors within Tennessee’s business community. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we want to create space for deeper dialogue around sector-specific needs.

We’re starting with councils on infrastructure and healthcare, with more to follow. These groups will help companies share challenges, best practices, and opportunities. We’re in the early stages of developing this structure, but it’s a strategic move forward.

We’re also seeing success this legislative session at the state Capitol. With about a quarter of the session left, we’ve made strong progress, advancing priorities and defending against legislation that could hurt the business climate. It has been a solid start overall.

What industries or sectors are showing the strongest growth potential in Tennessee and how is the chamber helping prepare for their expansion?
Three sectors stand out: energy, advanced manufacturing, and life sciences.

In energy, especially nuclear, there’s strong momentum. East Tennessee, particularly Oak Ridge, is seeing major investments. That area already has a deep-rooted history in the field, including Oak Ridge National Lab and the Manhattan Project. Companies like Orano and Ucore have announced significant plans, and the governor has allocated substantial funding to support this growth through incentives, recruitment, and infrastructure.

Advanced manufacturing remains vital. Tennessee has long been a manufacturing state — it’s the backbone of our economy. Every dollar spent in manufacturing generates $2.64 in broader economic impact, and each job supports an additional 4.8 jobs elsewhere.

At a recent manufacturing forum, we highlighted several key investments, including LG Chem’s electric vehicle battery plant in Clarksville and Ford’s BlueOval City in West Tennessee. Xai is also building a major facility near Memphis. Advanced manufacturing is thriving across the state.

Life sciences is another high-potential sector, though it’s less visible to the broader public. Coming from that industry, I’ve seen the wide range of activity, from startups to established firms. It includes pharmaceuticals, biotech, diagnostics, and medical devices. Tennessee is a growing hub for med tech, and this sector is gaining traction and investment fast.

How is the chamber helping address workforce challenges amid this growth?
Workforce remains a significant challenge. Tennessee has recognized the need to better prepare students and workers for today’s jobs, particularly through nontraditional education paths.

That includes skilled trades and technical colleges. The governor has prioritized workforce development, putting major funding into technical education. The Tennessee Works scholarships now offer free tuition, previously only available at community colleges, to students at technical colleges as well. It highlights how critical these pathways are to meeting labor demands.

The chamber strongly supports these efforts and works closely with the governor and legislature on workforce issues. We’re also focused on improving how we track whether students are successfully transitioning from education into real jobs.

To that end, we’re collaborating with third-party organizations and other business groups to better analyze outcomes. Tennessee has boosted K-12 and higher education funding over the last five years, and while that’s positive, we need to ensure those investments lead to a stronger workforce.

We also need to think more creatively about how we deliver training and education. The job landscape has changed — the types of companies coming to Tennessee today are very different from those a decade ago. We have to evolve with that shift.

What are some of the top challenges chamber members are facing, and how are those conversations shaping your priorities?
Two consistent concerns from our members are infrastructure and maintaining a pro-business climate.

On infrastructure, members emphasize the need to improve systems supporting our growth — not just roads, but also water, wastewater, and energy.

Some industries, such as data centers and advanced manufacturing, require enormous energy and water capacity. While the Tennessee Valley Authority has been a strong partner, we must continue expanding power generation to avoid turning today’s advantage into tomorrow’s liability.

To support this, we’re hosting an Infrastructure Summit this summer to bring together stakeholders statewide. We’ll explore what’s working, where gaps exist, and highlight public-private partnerships and policy ideas. We’re also launching an Infrastructure Advisory Council to keep the discussion active.

The other key issue is preserving Tennessee’s right-to-work status. It’s foundational to our business-friendly environment. Though it’s now in the state constitution, our members want to ensure we continue reinforcing its importance and proactively addressing unionization efforts that could disrupt business operations.

What role does the Chamber Foundation play in fostering long-term economic mobility and innovation across the state?
One key initiative is the ”Be Pro Be Proud” program, which the Chamber Foundation leads in Tennessee. Originally launched in other states, we’re proud to operate it here.

The goal is to introduce high-school students to skilled trades. An 18-wheeler outfitted with trade job simulations travels to schools across the state, giving students hands-on exposure to careers that are in demand and vital to Tennessee’s economy.

It’s a public-private partnership, funded by both the state and private sector, and facilitated by the chamber. For companies, it’s a chance to invest in the future workforce and show students real career opportunities.

The program has been highly successful, and we expect the partnership to continue. More broadly, the Foundation helps us highlight the great things happening across Tennessee, allowing companies to learn from each other, share best practices, and build a stronger, more connected workforce pipeline. That’s what the chamber does best: serve as a convener and connector.

What is your broader vision for how the chamber brings stakeholders together across the state?
One of my overarching goals in stepping into this role is to ensure we have true buy-in from stakeholders across Tennessee. That includes large and small companies, government officials, and local chambers throughout the state. Collaboration is key; it’s what has made Tennessee successful, and it’s what will keep us moving forward.

The Tennessee Chamber is uniquely positioned to be that statewide organization that serves as a central hub — a clearinghouse for ideas, solutions, and policies that support business growth. As we roll out new initiatives and ramp up our advocacy efforts, it’s vital that we’re doing so with the support and participation of those key stakeholders. We want to make sure everyone feels they have a seat at the table and a shared stake in our success.

That spirit of collaboration is a core part of my leadership approach and a driving force behind everything we’re doing at the chamber.