March 2, 2020 | By Rob Hamilton
Recently our very own Matt Kisber, Silicon Ranch’s Co-Founder and Chairman, was elected to serve as the Chairman of the Tennessee Business Roundtable (the Roundable). Under Matt’s leadership Silicon Ranch became one of the fastest growing developers, owners, and operators of solar energy plants in the United States with an operating portfolio that includes more than 130 facilities across 14 states from New York to California, including the first large-scale solar projects in Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi and Arkansas.
“We are thrilled to have Matt Kisber take the Chair of our Roundtable’s member leadership team. As a principal leader of a dynamic, innovative Tennessee-based company which supplies a resource that’s critical for every industry in our state, Matt brings executive-level perspective and business acumen to our organization’s Board. He’s a well-known and trusted leader whose knowledge of legislative and economic development processes is highly regarded. Our Roundtable is very fortunate to have Matt’s leadership, and I’m excited to be working with him to make our Roundtable the most respected and influential policy voice for executive business leaders in Tennessee.” –Pat Sheehy, President of Tennessee Business Roundtable
A former Tennessee State Representative, Tennessee Commissioner of Economic Development and business owner, Matt has extensive experience in understanding and implementing the types of policies that attract companies to states like Tennessee and keep them there.
“After serving on the Roundtable’s Business Competitive Council, and its board, it’s an honor to be selected as chairman.” –Matt Kisber
Since its inception in 1983, the Roundtable has assembled business leaders from across the state to collaborate, evaluate, and advocate for the key issues facing Tennessee’s economy and business climate.
“What distinguishes the Tennessee Business Roundtable from other business associations is the fact that it is made up of business principals from all over the state who not only understand the intricacies of business but also the important, mutually beneficial relationship between a healthy and educated workforce, business friendly policies, and strong economic development.” –Matt Kisber
The Roundtable convenes and engages thought leaders, as well as local and state representatives to ensure that Tennessee maintains a vital, competitive economy supported by an educated, capable and healthy workforce, and the types of business friendly policies that are attracting companies of all sizes to either relocate or expand operations in the Volunteer State.
Through these efforts, the Roundtable has worked to ensure that Tennessee’s economy is not only better able to face future challenges but that it is also better positioned to take full advantage of the opportunities those same challenges present our home state. There is no doubt that these efforts have greatly contributed to much of Tennessee’s extraordinary economic success story over the past thirty-five years of its existence.
In fact much of the Roundtable’s philosophy is reflected in Silicon Ranch’s core values and business model:
“It’s no coincidence that many of the principles and values developed over the years by the Roundtable have and are part of the culture at Silicon Ranch. These include investing in and committing to the communities we join, and seeking political environments that are hospitable to the option of clean, cost effective solar power as a source of their energy.” –Matt Kisber
Much like the Roundtable, Silicon Ranch recognizes the important relationship between a community’s economic performance and the quality of life and well-being of its citizens. Silicon Ranch makes it a priority to create meaningful partnerships with the communities in which we locate our solar projects, because when we build these projects we build them for the long-term.
Only through partnerships built on trust, honesty, collaboration, and service are we able to create the enduring value and deliver the types of meaningful legacies to the communities we serve. This commitment to our communities is an inherent part of our company’s DNA.
With a similar ethos, the Roundtable is in a unique position to empower communities across the state of Tennessee to help attract companies and take advantage of the exciting economic environment we are currently experiencing.
So, congratulations Matt, and keep up the great work!