Our Staff
Tracy Boatner
Tracy Boatner is President and CEO of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), where she leads efforts to strengthen East Tennessee’s role as a hub for nuclear innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. Under her leadership, ETEC has expanded its statewide impact, launching and stewarding the Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN²), the state’s official partnership for advancing nuclear energy and related industries.
Since taking on her leadership role in 2022, Tracy has focused on uniting government, industry, research institutions, and community stakeholders to build strategies that ensure Tennessee remains at the forefront of energy innovation. She has overseen the growth of ETEC’s signature Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW) from just over 80 participants in 2017 to more than 1,000 attendees from across 34 states in 2025. Her ability to convene leaders from national laboratories, TVA, universities, state and federal agencies, and private industry has positioned ETEC as a central connector in Tennessee’s economic and energy ecosystem.
Tracy is also committed to spearheading initiatives to align K-12, technical and community colleges, trades, universities, and industry partners in preparing the next generation of skilled workers for the nuclear sector. She is recognized as a collaborative leader who bridges local and statewide priorities, ensuring Tennessee’s nuclear assets translate into long-term opportunities for communities across the state.
Her additional affiliations include: Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy Fellow at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, University of Tennessee; Tennessee Valley Corridor Leadership Council; Fairview Advisory Board; Past-Chair, United Way of Anderson County Board; YWCA of the Tennessee Valley Board; Past President, Rotary Club of Oak Ridge; Center for Leadership & Community Development Board; Leadership Oak Ridge Class of 2016; Leadership Knoxville Class of 2012.
Nicole Allen
Nicole Allen is the Vice President of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC). She is also the Director of Communications and Growth for ETEC. This encompasses membership, strategy, and marketing.
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Nicole has lived in Knoxville since 2001. She has worked for economic development non-profits since coming to East Tennessee.
Nicole has been with ETEC for 20 of those years. With a background in marketing, customer service, and office administration, her work for ETEC encompasses those skills as well as public relations, communications, marketing, event planning, project management, membership services and development, and audio/visual technologies.
Nicole served as a program mentor for a local Girl Scout troop and has been a mentor for the TNAchieves program as a part of the TNPromise. She is a member of Leadership Oak Ridge’s class of 2006, and member of Fellowship Church.
Nicole graduated from Cumberland College with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology.
She lives in west Knoxville with her family (husband, Dr. David Allen, DVM, and two children ages 18 and 12). Nicole enjoys playing with words and spending time with her family.
Melodie McDonald
Melodie McDonald is the Director of Operations for the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC).
She joined the staff in March of 2022. Her part-time work at ETEC includes, but is not limited to bookkeeping, human resource management, customer service, and facilities management.
Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, Melodie moved to Knoxville in 1997. Prior to working for non-profits, she spent 19 years in the financial industry with a focus on secondary marketing.
Melodie is dedicated to serving others in our community and has been involved in the international ministries in her church, hospitality outreach and helping the homeless.
Melodie attended college at Central Michigan University, where she studied Aerospace Engineering and discovered she enjoyed working with numbers more than equations and made the change to accounting.
She lives on a farm in west Knoxville with her family (husband, Michael and two children and seven grandchildren). Melodie enjoys most outdoor activities, remodeling, woodworking, reading and traveling.
Hailey Lewis
Hailey Lewis serves as the Projects and Events Manager of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC).
Joining the staff in January 2024, Hailey plays a pivotal role in orchestrating ETEC’s events, meetings, and projects, which aim to foster a cohesive and vibrant community of pro-business-minded professionals committed to regional growth and economic success.
Hailey is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she earned two graduate-level degrees: M.S. in Public Health Nutrition & M.P.H. in Health Policy and Management. Additionally, she obtained a doctorate-level graduate certificate in Health Interdisciplinary Policy, marking the culmination of her decade-long journey in higher education.
With over a decade of experience in the field of nutrition, Hailey's journey has been characterized by a steadfast commitment to excellence. In addition to her graduate degrees, she also holds an A.S. in Nutrition and Food Science and a B.S. in Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics. Although initially intending to become a Registered Dietitian, Hailey's trajectory shifted upon discovering the profound impact she could make in public health, igniting her passion for public health and policy.
Hailey began working in public health with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in 2019. She worked on initiatives regarding injury prevention on a wide array of topics including bike helmet safety, car seat safety, heatstroke prevention, water safety, and the promotion of nutrition and physical activity.
Hailey's career has been defined by a dual approach – grassroots efforts that support communities from within and top-down policy approaches that address higher level influences. Her unique skills in developing and implementing initiatives, coupled with her ability to connect with diverse audiences, make her an invaluable asset in fostering impactful partnerships with local leaders, organizations, and stakeholders.