A field representative for U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander for more than a decade is joining Chattanooga's EPB as the utility's director of government relations.
Evann Freeman, a Chattanooga native who has worked since 2009 in Nashville on legislative and public policy issues for Sen. Alexander, will fill the vacancy at EPB created when former governmental affairs executive Hodgen Mainda left EPB in September.
Mainda, who had worked at EPB for nearly three years, joined Gov. Bill Lee's cabinet as state commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Insurance.
Evann Freeman / Contributed photoFreeman most recently served as the senior liaison in Middle Tennessee working closely with local, state, and federal stakeholders for Sen. Alexander, who plans to retire from the U.S. Senate after his current term ends next year.
In his new role effective Dec. 17, Freeman will lead EPB's government relations and economic development efforts.
David Wade, president an CEO of EPB, said Freeman's experience positions him to coordinate EPB's engagement with elected leaders.
"Over the last 10 years, Evann has demonstrated his ability to work with leaders at all levels of government," Wade said in an announcement today. "His experience is well aligned with EPB's efforts to help the Chattanooga area grow and prosper."
Prior to working for Sen. Alexander, Freeman was an assistant general manager for Hilton Worldwide for more than two years and previously served as a field marshal for the Tennessee Republican Party.
"EPB is that rare kind of company that combines a great tradition of serving the community with the groundbreaking ability to innovate," Freeman said. "I look forward to joining the EPB team and contributing to the effort to help our community realize its full potential."