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ECD Commissioner Matthew Kisber

Commissioner Kisber

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Matthew H. Kisber serves as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD). Appointed January 18, 2003, Commissioner Kisber has led Tennessee’s efforts that resulted in four $1 billion dollar projects within a one-year timeframe: German automaker Volkswagen in Chattanooga, polycrystalline silicon manufacturers Hemlock in Clarksville and Wacker Chemie in Cleveland and Japanese automaker Nissan in Smyrna.

Under Commissioner Kisber’s leadership, 49 corporate headquarters have located in Tennessee, including Nissan North America, International Paper, Louisiana Pacific, Clarcor, Service Master, Asurion and others. Since his appointment as commissioner, Tennessee has seen more than $32 billion in new capital investment and more than 184,173 new jobs created. In May 2008, Site Selection magazine recognized the state’s accomplishments by naming Tennessee the most competitive state in the country for economic development.

Prior to his appointment as commissioner, Kisber served 10 consecutive terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives and as vice president of Business Development for First Tennessee Bank. In the Tennessee General Assembly, Kisber served as chairman of the powerful Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the state's budget.

Kisber received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and was one of 36 state legislators from 21 states to successfully complete the inaugural Program for Emerging Political Leaders at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. In 1989, Kisber received a scholarship from the Southern Legislative Conference to attend the Leadership Development Program conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership and later that year was selected as one of 32 state leaders to participate in a Toll Fellowship Program by the Council of State Governments.

Personal Accomplishments of Matthew H. Kisber:

  • Appointed January 18, 2003 to serves as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD).
  • Led Tennessee's efforts that resulted in four $1 billion dollar projects within an one-year timeframe: German automaker Volkswagen in Chattanooga, polycrystalline silicon manufacturers Hemlock in Clarksville and Wacker Chemie in Cleveland and Japanese automaker Nissan in Smyrna.
  • Recruited 49 corporate headquarters to locate in Tennessee since his appointment, including Nissan North America, International Paper, Louisiana Pacific, Clarcor, Service Master, Asurion and others.
  • Seen more than $32 billion in new capital investment and more than 184,000 new jobs created in Tennessee since his appointment as commissioner.
  • Earned recognition for Tennessee from Site Selection magazine in May 2008 as the most competitive state in the country for economic development.
  • Prior to his appointment as commissioner, served 10 consecutive terms in the Tennessee House of Representatives, serving as chairman of the powerful Finance, Ways and Means Committee, which is responsible for the state's budget.
  • Served as vice president of Business Development for First Tennessee Bank.
  • Began his career as a successful small businessman in Jackson, Tenn.
  • Was first exposed to business when he began working at Kisber's Department Stores, Inc., his family's business, at the age of 12.
  • Received his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
  • One of 36 state legislators from 21 states to successfully complete the inaugural Program for Emerging Political Leaders at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.
  • In 1989, received a scholarship from the Southern Legislative Conference to attend the Leadership Development Program conducted by the Center for Creative Leadership and
  • Later that year was selected as one of 32 state leaders to participate in a Toll Fellowship Program by the Council of State Governments.
  • Also active in various civic and cultural causes, including service on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Tennessee Tomorrow, Inc., WestStar Leadership Program, Miss Tennessee Scholarship Pageant and the Tennessee State Museum Foundation.