Governance
TVA is governed by the bylaws of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Board Practices and Committee Charters. These form the framework for the governance of TVA laid forth in the TVA Act. The addition of five working committees concerning risk and regulation, external relations, finances and rates, nuclear oversight, and people and performance help the Board of Directors fulfill its responsibilities.
These three documents form the backbone of TVA’s governance.
Ethics
The best interests of TVA take precedence over the interests of a director or any TVA employee. The board expects individual directors, as well as officers and employees of TVA, to act ethically at all times. Sherry Quirk, TVA’s General Counsel, is the agency’s designated ethics official, responsible for the administration of TVA’s agency-wide ethics program.
Committees
The TVA Board has established five committees to help fulfill its responsibilities.
Audit, Risk, and Regulation Committee
Overseeing financial reporting, regulatory policies for distributors, risk management, compliance and ethics, this committee works in conjunction with the TVA Inspector General to ensure that TVA investigates and reports transparently about its financial and legal obligations.
John Ryder, Chair
Kenny Allen
Gina Lodge
Skip Thompson
Audit, Risk, and Regulation Committee Charter (PDF)
External Relations Committee
Steering the public-facing side of TVA, this committee oversees relationships with our customers and members of the public. In addition, the External Relations Committee involves itself in TVA’s environmental stewardship, economic development, government relations and corporate citizenship efforts.
Richard Howorth, Chair
A.D. Frazier
John Ryder
Jeff Smith
External Relations Committee Charter (PDF)
Finance, Rates, and Portfolio Committee
This committee focuses on TVA’s financial health, electricity rates and energy resource portfolio planning. Its duties include overseeing, reviewing and making recommendations about items ranging from TVA’s annual budget to important contracts not delegated to TVA management.
Ron Walter, Chair
A.D. Frazier, Chair-Elect
Richard Howorth
William Kilbride
Finance, Rates, and Portfolio Committee Charter (PDF)
Nuclear Oversight Committee
To ensure the utmost safety of TVA’s nuclear program, the Nuclear Oversight Committee oversees its operational and financial performance in conjunction with independent nuclear experts.
Jeff Smith, Chair
Kenny Allen
A.D. Frazier
William Kilbride
Nuclear Oversight Committee Charter (PDF)
People and Performance Committee
The People and Performance Committee helps the TVA Board with labor relations, safety, compensation, human resources issues, performance targets and succession planning.
Gina Lodge, Chair
Kenny Allen, Chair-Elect
Skip Thompson
Ron Walter