Tennessee Technology Development Corporation dba Launch Tennessee continues scouting to add a Memphis-based member to provide more regional balance to its board of directors.

LaunchTN CEO Lindsey Cox MBA today told Venture Nashville that finalization of the 501c3 nonprofit's board of directors awaits only the signature of Gov. Bill Lee upon authorizing legislation that will reduce its now-21-person board to 15 total seats.

Today, the 501c3 nonprofit currently has 19 board members seated, only one of whom -- Benjamin Orgel of Tower Ventures -- is based in the Memphis area.

During the LaunchTN board meeting April 23, the directors nominated five incumbent members of the existing board to join the reconstituted board.

LaunchTN management announced they were, for the time-being, refraining from making a sixth authorized recommendation while searching for a Memphis resident to fill that slot.

Some other current LaunchTN board members who wish to continue, but were not among candidates for the reconstituted board put forward by LaunchTN, might still be nominated by the Governor or the Speakers of the Tennessee House and Senate.

As in past years, going forward the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development--under which TTDC-LaunchTN acts as a subsidiary--will serve ex officio as a member of the board.

The TNECD commissioner is currently Stuart McWhorter, who is also Deputy to Gov. Bill Lee. 

Cox told VNC the LaunchTN's board's interest in reducing the number of its directors rose after hearing that one of the legislation's ultimate sponsors, Rep. Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville-89), had interest in such matters.

At this time, a smaller board would make it easier to achieve quorums of voting members for meetings of the full board, and could simplify other governance matters, said Cox.

The entire LaunchTN board of directors presentation deck provided here includes substantial information on multiple LaunchTN programs -- including the topline schedule for this fall's interrelated 3686 Festival, InvestTN Summit and other activities Sept. 14-17 in Nashville.

The four-day 3686 Festival is to be anchored at Brooklyn Bowl, in Nashville's Germantown area, with special activities at several other venues. VNC

. last edited 27 April 2026 1554h