Skip to main content

Ted Townsend

Background​

  • President & CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber
  • Leads the largest economic development organization in the Memphis region
  • Oversees tri-state region (Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi) economic development
  • Chamber founded in 1838, one of the founding members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  • Region serves MSA of approximately 1.3 million people
  • Memphis is 28th largest city in the United States
  • Largest African-American population of any city in the country

Major Economic Achievements​

  • Secured XAI's $12 billion investment - world's largest supercomputer facility
    • Largest investment project in Tennessee's history
    • XAI is now second largest taxpayer in Tennessee (in less than a year)
  • Google's $10 billion investment in West Memphis, Arkansas (announced last week)
    • Represents 3X Arkansas's previous largest project
    • Located just across Mississippi River from Memphis

Key Industry Focus Areas​

  • Global Logistics Hub: Home to FedEx global headquarters and largest hub
    • FedEx employs 30,000 people in Memphis
    • Largest employer and taxpayer in Tennessee
    • Highest concentration of logistics professionals in the country
  • Medical Device Manufacturing: Attracted by distribution network
    • Medtronic and Stryker have significant operations
    • Can efficiently get raw materials in and products out
  • Tech & Advanced Manufacturing: Strategic plan focus
    • Successfully attracting major tech investments (XAI, Google)
    • Positioning Memphis among "lexicon of great global tech companies"

Notable Memphis Assets​

  • More Fortune 500 headquarters than Nashville
  • St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (10,000 employees downtown)
  • All transportation modalities available
  • Strategic location at intersection of three states

Policy Priorities​

  • Public Safety: Major focus area post-pandemic
    • Secured $175 million in recent legislative session for downtown metro safety
    • Memphis designated priority for public safety investments by state and federal government
    • Goal: Make Memphis "the safest city in America, if not the southeast"
  • Infrastructure: Won federal grant for new Interstate 55 bridge ($1 billion project)
  • Education: Focus on policies supporting workforce development
  • Business Climate: Holistic approach to making Memphis better for business

Working Style & Philosophy​

  • Takes "holistic approach" to economic development
  • Not afraid to address challenging issues (willing to discuss crime/safety)
  • Focuses on "intersection where chamber can position itself" effectively
  • Values coordination across three states
  • Emphasizes importance of advocacy through chamber structure

AI & Innovation Approach​

  • Uses Grok 3 daily (noted it's in his employment contract)
  • Chamber using AI for marketing to attract foreign direct investment
  • State forming business advisory board for AI policy
  • Recognizes importance of policy given Elon Musk's massive investments

Key Relationships​

  • Works closely with Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi governments
  • Connected to FedEx leadership (largest employer)
  • Relationship with XAI/Elon Musk organization
  • Google data center team
  • Medical device manufacturers (Medtronic, Stryker)

Notable Quotes​

  • "We want Memphis to be the safest city in America, if not the southeast"
  • "XAI's investment was $12 billion, not $165, like you were talking about. But still, for us, it's the largest investment project in the state of Tennessee's history"
  • "We're excited now that it's suddenly for us to just do the lexicon of great global tech companies"
  • "It's in my employment contract that I have to use Grok 3 every day"

Strategic Value​

  • Access to major corporate decision-makers (FedEx, XAI, Google)
  • Experience attracting and managing mega-projects
  • Understanding of tri-state regional dynamics
  • Bridge between traditional industries (logistics) and emerging tech
  • Proven track record of securing major investments
  • Direct connection to Memphis Superintendent - critical for education initiatives
  • Passionate about solving talent pipeline challenges

Education Vision & Priorities​

  • Recognizes Memphis public school system is "very challenged" and needs innovation
  • Wants to tell CEOs with confidence: "we have your workforce, not just now, but for decades"
  • Vision: "I want Memphis kids to realize they don't have to leave hometown to get a better education or to get the jobs that they dream of"
  • Interested in training students as "computational engineers and data scientists and AI entrepreneurs"
  • Committed to stopping talent export from Memphis
  • Believes in curating curriculum specific to employer needs

Alpha Schools Alignment​

  • Immediately interested in Alpha Schools model after hearing pitch
  • Understands connection between economic development and education innovation
  • Recognizes that companies now follow talent, not just incentives
  • Willing to host Alpha Schools team in Memphis
  • Open to sending Memphis representatives to June 14th Alpha event

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary
2025-05-29-ted-townsend-alpha-schools-discussion2025-05-29Ted Townsend - Alpha Schools Partnership Discussion
2025-05-29-texas-venture-forum-regional-innovation-panel2025-05-29Participated in panel discussion on regional innovation ecosystems, highlighting Memphis's transformation and major investments

Interactions​

  • 2025-05-29: Participated in Texas Venture Forum panel on regional innovation ecosystems. Discussed Memphis's transformation from logistics hub to tech center, highlighting recent wins with XAI ($12B) and Google ($10B) investments. Emphasized holistic approach including public safety, infrastructure, and education alongside business development.
  • 2025-05-29: 1:1 conversation with Gary Sheng about Alpha Schools. Expressed strong interest in bringing innovative K-12 education to Memphis to address challenged public school system. Discussed vision for preparing Memphis students for AI/tech jobs and stopping talent export. Committed to exploring partnership and potentially sending representatives to June 14th Alpha Schools event. Notable quote: "Education is the only thing we can do for each other."

Transcripts​

Transcript IDDateSummary