Our Staff
Tracy Boatner
Tracy Boatner is the President of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC). Her work at ETEC is centered on creating economic growth by engaging business and public policy leaders, communicating the opportunities created by our region’s federal assets, and sharing our successes to attract public and private investments.
Before joining the ETEC staff in 2015, Tracy was the Executive Director for the largest nonprofit women’s organization in East Tennessee, the Junior League of Knoxville (JLK), where she led a group of more than 800 volunteers committed to leadership and community service.
In 2023, Tracy was appointed to the Tennessee Nuclear Energy Advisory Council by Governor Lee with the goal of making Tennessee the best state in the country for nuclear industry innovation and growth.
Tracy is a Baker Expert appointee serving as an Economic and Community Development fellow at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, University of Tennessee.
Her additional affiliations include: Chair-elect, United Way of Anderson County Board, YWCA Board of Directors, Leadership Knoxville Class of 2012, Past President, Rotary Club of Oak Ridge; Center for Leadership & Community Development Board; Chair, Leadership Oak Ridge Advisory Board; Oak Ridge Chamber Advocacy Committee; Leadership Oak Ridge Class of 2016.
Tracy holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from King University.
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 18 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 Scholarship. She is a member of Leadership Oak Ridge’s class of 2006.
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 15 and 9). Nicole enjoys writing fiction, reading, yoga, puzzles, and playing with her children.
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.