Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Whether it was Governor Bill Lee or Tennessee Baseball Coach Tony Vitello, the plight of those in Northeast Tennessee who have had their lives severely impacted by Hurricane Helene was very much on the minds of them and others attending GOVCON 2024.

Held for more than five decades and originally known as the Governor’s Conference on Economic and Community Development (ECD), this event that had more than 800 registrants was the largest ever, according to ECD Commissioner Stuart McWhorter. It opened with the “Governor’s Lunch” on Thursday at the Knoxville Convention Center and ends with the “Commissioner’s Lunch” on Friday.

If memory is correct, it was the first time the conference has been held in Knoxville. After the wildfires that devastated parts of Sevier County, the event was held for the first time ever in Gatlinburg. East Tennessee assets – from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory to local businesses like Axle Logistics, Denso, and Smith & Wesson – were spotlighted early and often.

“The volunteer spirit is alive and well in Tennessee,” Governor Lee said, a clear reference to those who are doing so much to help the residents of the counties impacted by the hurricane. “We have taken the challenge very seriously,” adding that he had visited the impacted communities on four occasions and plans more trips.

It was not a downbeat presentation, however, as Governor Lee celebrated the creation of 200,000 new jobs in the state in the last five years and the fact that Tennessee has the second fastest growing gross domestic product in the country.

He also celebrated the rebirth of the nuclear industry in the state, particularly Kairos Power, Type One Energy, and Orano USA. “It’s an opportunity for Tennessee to lead the country” in the nuclear renaissance, he said.

Governor Lee concluded his remarks by sharing a story about traveling the state six years ago during his first campaign for Governor in a motor home with his wife and remarking about the seven million “mailboxes” that dot the Volunteer State landscape.

“Let us not forget those seven million mailboxes” and the people who are depending on state and local leaders to do the right thing, he said. “We are the envy of many states.”

With that, he introduced Vitello who started his presentation by saying, “I’m the most immature person in the room.” Tennessee’s national championship baseball coach briefly touched on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, saying his players were shocked by the impact that they saw as they volunteered to help.

Vitello addressed what he called his “Italian Three” – standards, kicking the door down or standing out in the cold, and the delicate balance.

He noted that the standard set by Danny White for Tennessee Athletics is that “you work together,” something that Vitello said permeates the University is general. “Our standards have been raised.”

Using a Rubik’s Cube as a metaphor, he said that when he arrived, “No one respected us. (So), we (had) to either kick the door down or stand out in the cold.” That led to some of the swagger that characterized the baseball team.

At the same time, Vitello noted, “You have to respect each opponent; (that doesn’t mean) you don’t have to fear them.”

The final advice was the importance of a delicate balance – making sure that, when all is said and done, everything is well-balanced.

“I’m very blessed. I have no intention of going anywhere,” he said to a standing ovation.

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