Lodge, Walter sworn in as TVA board members

Virginia Lodge of Nashville and Ronald Walter of Memphis became members of the Tennessee Valley Authority board on Tuesday, taking their oaths of office in ceremonies in Memphis and Nashville. Their terms expire on May 18, 2019.

The two were nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on December 9. One vacancy remains on the nine-member board.

“I am honored to have been nominated to this very important post by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate,” Lodge said in a press release. “I look forward to serving on the TVA board and representing the people of the Tennessee Valley.”

“I am honored the president and Senate have confidence in my abilities and look forward to serving on the board,” Walter said. “During my tenure at Memphis Light, Gas and Water, I worked with TVA and I’m looking forward to my expanded role in working with the people of the Tennessee Valley.”

Lodge lives in Nashville, and she is the chief executive officer of FSI, a position she has held since 2012. Prior to this, she served as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services from 2003 to 2011. Lodge was the executive director for Kids Voting of Middle Tennessee from 1994 to 1999.

During her career, she has worked on a number of political campaigns, including Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s campaign and transition team, the press release said.

Lodge received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Hawaii, a master’s degree from the University of San Francisco, and a master’s degree in business administration from Vanderbilt University.

Walter lives in Memphis and is currently the president and general manager of WREG-TV, a position he has held since 2004. He has served in a variety of positions at the television station since 1987, including executive vice president and station manager and concurrently serving as vice president of Government and Cable Relations for the New York Times Broadcast Group, WREG-TV’s former parent company.

Walter was vice president of Customer Relations for Memphis Light, Gas and Water from 1982 to 1987, and served as assistant to the president at MLGW from 1980 to 1982, the press release said.

Walter received a bachelor’s degree from Clark University and a master’s degree from Case Western Reserve University.

Lodge and Walter are filling the seats of board members Barbara Haskew of Chattanooga and Bill Sansom of Knoxville, whose terms expired in May. They will join TVA Board Chairman Joe Ritch, of Huntsville, Alabama; and current members Marilyn A. Brown, of Atlanta; V. Lynn Evans, of Memphis; Richard Howorth, of Oxford, Mississippi; Peter Mahurin, of Bowling Green, Kentucky; and Michael McWherter of Jackson, Tennessee.