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The strength of TVA is its people. An experienced, talented and diverse workforce of nearly 10,000 women and men committed – each and every day – to improving the quality of life for the approximately 10 million we serve.
At TVA, our unique, long-standing mission of service drives and inspires our employees to continually pursue new ideas and innovative solutions that improve our service to our customers. This year, we faced a unique challenge: keeping the lights on while also keeping our teams safe and healthy during a global pandemic.
Our dedicated workforce overcame these challenges, delivering vital services and support across the region. Our employees are on the job every day generating power, controlling river flows, restoring power after storms, helping the economy recover and much more.
Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, our employees delivered for the customers and communities we proudly serve. We are committed to ensuring that our region continues to make a strong recovery from the pandemic.
Highlighting Our Employees
Our dedicated and talented employees are committed to TVA’s unique, long-standing mission of service. Through their efforts, TVA provides low-cost, reliable and clean energy; attracts businesses and jobs to the region and protects our natural resources through environmental stewardship. We are proud of their commitment of service to you. Below are highlights of a few of our employees.
Dr. Noelle Currey
In early 2020, Dr. Noelle Currey was awarded TVA’s highest engineering honor — Ike Zeringue Engineer of the Year — after being nominated by her peers and leaders based on criteria that include project performance, continuous improvement and a commitment to safety. Currey is a TVA project engineer in Transmission Power Supply & Support with eight years of service.
Currey received the award for a programming solution that checks electrical drawings with 100% accuracy to eliminate errors and rework. In under a minute, the program can evaluate thousands of wires contained in switch house panels — previously reviewed one at a time. The estimated cost savings for TVA is several million dollars. Her work helps TVA deliver 99.999% power reliability, as it has since 2000.
“TVA is built on the work of dedicated employees; and each year, we have the distinct pleasure of recognizing an individual who exemplifies excellence in the engineering field and commitment to TVA’s mission of service,” said TVA President and CEO Jeff Lyash. “Noelle’s innovation is helping TVA to continue to generate low-cost, reliable, clean energy — a key factor when companies choose to relocate or expand in our region.”
Each day, Currey makes sure TVA’s transmission power supply projects are completed on time and on budget, which keeps TVA power rates among some of the lowest in the nation.
“Noelle has distinguished herself as a leader who helps keep electricity flowing to our homes and businesses,” said Bob Dalrymple, TVA senior vice president, Transmission & Power Supply. “More importantly, her automated solution ensures the continued safety and high performance of TVA’s grid through lower production cost and error reduction.”
Currey is a graduate of the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Currey earned her master’s and doctorate degree in mechanical engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.
TVA’s top engineering award is named for O.J. “Ike” Zeringue, a former TVA president, chief operating officer and chief nuclear officer.
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Dawna Qualls
Senior Program Manager, Business Development + Renewables | Nashville, Tenn.
It sounds like something straight out of Star Wars: a quest to release the power of dark fiber. But in this case, the “dark side” could fundamentally shape TVA’s future electric grid and bring jobs and a better quality of life to people across the Tennessee Valley.
“There’s nothing sinister about dark fiber,” laughs Dawna Qualls, a senior program manager in TVA’s Business Development & Renewables group. “Fiber—a hair-thin strand of glass—is simply a conduit for information transmitted through pulses of refracted light. If a strand does not have light, it’s dark. Hence, the name ‘dark fiber.’”
Through a series of projects that began in 2017, TVA could install up to 3,500 miles of new fiber optic lines across the Tennessee Valley over the next decade to improve data transmission between TVA power plants, substations and customers. Qualls explains: “The expansion is vital as we add generation from solar and other small-scale power generation sources to our electric grid and move to data-driven power supply management.”
A New Hope
TVA’s primary objective is to “light” that fiber with TVA data. But if there is any remaining surplus fiber—it could provide other opportunities—that excites Qualls. “We’re expanding our fiber network to support the operation of our power system. But when extra dark fibers are not used for operations, TVA will evaluate opportunities to temporarily lease them to economic development and business partners. Local power companies, for example, might be uniquely positioned to help local communities that are currently struggling to get broadband connectivity.”
To Qualls, TVA’s business partners have a chance to do something like what TVA did for rural communities in the 1930s.
“When TVA was created, electricity was only available in populated areas,” she says. “Private utility companies claimed it was too expensive to string electric lines to rural farms. But hydropower generated at TVA dams brought lights, refrigerators and radios into rural homes and attracted business and industry, which, in turn, created jobs and improved the quality of life for generations to come.”
It’s much the same with broadband service today, according to Qualls: “TVA is not getting into the broadband business; however, we hope the availability of fiber on TVA’s fiber network will make it more affordable for local power companies, municipalities and others in the broadband business to consider helping rural areas obtain the broadband services and telecommunication connections they need to attract and retain jobs, offer modern schools and libraries, and even provide quality medical care.”
That could be a game changer for those communities, says Qualls. “It has the potential to change lives.”
Entrepreneurial Spirit
Qualls couldn’t be better suited for the job of leveraging TVA’s expanded fiber network for the greater good. “My dad defined the word ‘entrepreneur,’ and I think I inherited my entrepreneurial mindset from him. I’m always looking for ways to innovate and capitalize on existing opportunities, and I’m drawn to innovation and new value creation. I don’t believe in no-win scenarios.”
But she could never have dreamed fiber would be her life’s work.
“My husband, A.C., is a carpenter and has a residential remodeling business. That’s what brought us to Nashville in 1994. By chance, I got a job at TVA as a secretary in the group that managed TVA’s fiber program.”
With the support of her manager, Qualls later attended Belmont University, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Administration degree with a focus in marketing. That led to an opportunity to manage a program which allowed wireless carriers to put their antennas on TVA transmission and communication towers and then to leadership positions related to fiber and telecommunications initiatives.
Qualls credits her career success to a willingness to take risks and a love of learning. She recently came across a quote that resonated with her. “Nelson Mandela said, “I never lose. I either win or learn.’ Those are wise words, and I try to follow them. I try to learn from experience and improve myself.”
A Golden Opportunity
Qualls also tries to help others. “It doesn’t matter who you are. If there’s something I can do to help you, I’ll do it.”
With a demanding work schedule, time is a precious commodity. But Qualls is committed to one particular cause: helping veterans with the transition back to civilian life.
“It’s a family value, actually,” she says. “A.C. and I both come from strong military families, and our 16-year-old daughter, Taylor, has a great deal of respect for those who have served our country. We support our country’s heroes through an organization in Nashville called The Journey Home Project. Its mission is to connect donors to veterans' organizations that do the most good. Taylor is an avid golfer, and through the golf network, we discovered a non-profit program that helps veterans cope with PTSD through golf. We’re currently reaching out to the organizers for the opportunity to bring this program to Middle Tennessee.”
Qualls’ personal and professional drive to improve the world around her couldn’t be better aligned with TVA’s Mission to serve the Valley.
“Internet service is becoming as important to business and industry as electric service,” she says. “Being part of something that has the potential to improve the quality of life of those we serve across the Valley is a privilege and responsibility. I find purpose in my work and take pride in doing it well.”
Named the No. 2 Employer
In the State of Tennessee on the Forbes' list of America's Best Employers
2020 Diversity Impact AwardsTM Top 10
Enterprise-Wide ERG Award by Association of ERGs & Councils
Named a 2020 Leading Disability Employer
By the National Organization on Disability
Veterans make up nearly 20% of the workforce
Top 10 Military Friendly® Employer
National recognition
Military Spouse Friendly® Employer
National recognition
Safety: Top Decile
In recorded injury rate
Safety: Top Quartile
In serious injury rate
Inclusive Culture
At TVA, we recognize now more than ever that inclusion and diversity are integral to our mission of serving the people of the Valley to make life better.
TVA values an inclusive culture, founded on respect and compassion for everyone. This year we focused on the TVA Mission of Service and heard directly from our employees on how this translates to making everyone feel a part of the TVA family
TVA achieved national recognition for the fifth consecutive year as a “Top 10 Employer” for its support of U.S. military veterans in the workforce. We are proud that veterans comprise nearly 20% of our workforce and each adds strength and value to the entire organization.
TVA was recognized as a 2020 Leading Disability Employer for the second consecutive year. TVA prides itself on creating an accessible and inclusive space for those with disabilities and prioritized that initiative by starting ABLED, the employee resource group for Awareness Benefitting Leadership and Employees about Disabilities in 2015
TVA’s employee resource groups received a 2020 Diversity Impact Award from the Association of ERGs & Councils. Since 2014, our ERGs have helped advance meaningful understanding of and actions on diversity with inclusion throughout the enterprise and the communities we serve.
TVA achieved recognition on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for 2020 – ranking as the No. 2 employer in the state of Tennessee.
Safety: Our Employees Deliver Best Year Yet
Safety is one of TVA’s core values, and it’s an area where we ranked among the best in the industry in FY 2020 – top decile in recordable injuries and top decile in serious injuries. TVA’s focus on reducing serious injuries and strengthening line engagement have led to TVA’s strong safety performance in the last year.
Back in early 2020, Power Operations implemented the use of safety blitzes – a safety walkdown by employees from other sites – starting at Cumberland Fossil Plant in Tennessee. This effort proved so successful these visits are now conducted routinely during the first week of outages across the Power Operations fleet.
In Kentucky, TVA’s Shawnee Fossil Plant significantly improved worker safety by assembling a proactive learning team centered on improving how employees report near miss incidents, which helps trend the level of safety risk. In addition, our hydro fleet is piloting a new process at Kentucky Hydro Plant to improve safety communication between site personnel and contractors.
Our nuclear fleet has used observations to identify potential lack of Human Performance tool usage, which helps avoid potential serious safety events at our plants, such as Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant in Alabama.
In our gas fleet, including Ackerman Combined Cycle Plant in Mississippi, we’ve improved our safety suggestions process, which has contributed to excellent safety performance in Gas Operations with zero recordable injuries in FY 2020.
Operating across the TVA territory, our Transmission organization has focused on more detailed pre-job briefs to ensure employees understand the potential risks associated with their tasks. Generation Construction and Fleet Services has performed numerous assessments of our contract workforce and addressed problem areas, such as rigging plans, to improve overall safety performance with our contract partners.
Union Partnerships
TVA’s employees and contract partners are represented by 17 labor unions. Our partnerships with these unions go back more than 80 years and form the backbone of TVA and our ability to serve the people of the Tennessee Valley. This year, to ensure continued low-cost, reliable energy to residents across the Valley:
TVA and the Trades and Labor Council for Annual Employees announced a 10-year extension on their agreement.
TVA and North America’s Building Trades Unions announced a 10-year extension of their Project Labor Agreement.
Code of Excellence
In 2018, TVA and seven annual councils, along with the Teamsters Union, began our Code of Excellence partnership with a shared commitment to Safety, Professionalism, Accountability, Relationship and Quality.
Union-led labor management panel partnered to reduce grievances by more than 200% since 2018.
FY 2020 has seen the highest craft employee engagement rate in TVA recorded history.
Internal Programs
We pride ourselves on the enrichment of our employees through programs and trainings offered throughout the year.
TVA invests in employees through training plans and performance improvement. Our approach to development consists of 70% on the job experience, 20% informal learning and 10% formal training.
TVA established the TVA Employee Relief Fund as a response to the pandemic and increased natural disasters in our region. To date, we have invested $36,000, which has assisted 12 employees whose lives were adversely affected by COVID-19 and tornadoes.
Guide to Using TVA’s Annual Report and Form 10-K
This Annual Report is intended to provide highlighted information of interest about TVA's business and operations during its fiscal year ended September 30, 2020. This Annual Report should be read in conjunction with TVA’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended September 30, 2020. The Form 10-K provides additional financial, operational and descriptive information, including TVA’s financial statements. The Form 10-K also provides important information about various risks to which TVA is exposed in the course of its operations, which are important to consider before investing in any TVA securities. The 2020 TVA Annual Report and 2020 Form 10-K do not contain all information about TVA securities that is important for making investment decisions. Please refer to the appropriate Offering Circular, and any relevant supplements, for detailed information about TVA securities. TVA’s Form 10-K can be found at www.tva.com/investors.
TVA Investor Relations
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Forward-looking statements and certain factors that may affect our business
We have included in this letter and 2020 Annual Report “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act relating to our operations, results of operations and other matters that are based on our current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections. Words such as “will,” “plan,” “believe” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in these forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that might cause such differences, some of which could be material, include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the sections entitled “Risk Factors.” Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this letter and 2020 Annual Report or as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them.