Memphis accountant V. Lynn Evans was elected Thursday to chair the Tennessee Valley Authority this year as the utility’s board transitions from all Democrats to a majority of Republican directors under incoming President Donald Trump.
Evans, who was appointed to the TVA board four years ago after serving as chairwoman of TVA’s biggest customer, is the first African-American to serve as chairperson of TVA in its 83-year history. She is also the first female and first Memphis resident to chair the board.
“I am honored that my fellow board members have confidence in my abilities to serve as chair,” Evans said after the votes by the six-member board were tallied Thursday following notational balloting from the directors’ homes across the Tennessee Valley. “TVA has made great strides in the past four years to improve its financial and operational performance. I look forward to our continuous efforts to set strategic priorities and drive for strong results, which benefit all of the people of the Tennessee Valley.”
Evans succeeds Joe Ritch, a Huntsville attorney whose term on the board ended Jan. 3, along with directors Pete Mahurin, formerly chair of TVA’s finance, rates and portfolio committee, and Mike McWherter, chair of the external relations committee. The three Democrats were reappointed to the board last year by President Barack Obama, but the Republican-controlled Senate declined to confirm their appointments with a Republican administration coming into office today at the White House.
Evans could also soon be replaced on the TVA board. Her term expires May 18 along with that of director Marilyn Brown, although the two could serve the rest of the calendar year if no new appointment is made and confirmed before then.