SVEC welcomes new district 11 director

SVEC recently welcomed Pikeville resident, Travis Smith as the new district director to the SVEC board. of directors.

Smith, a physical therapist and owner of Omni Rehab fills the seat left vacant by the resignation of Bobby Collier who resigned to seek another elected position.

Smith, a native of Bledsoe County holds a BS degree in Rehabilitation Science and a MS in Physical Therapy from UT Chattanooga. He has worked as physical therapist for 9 years. He began his career working for a company based in Chattanooga but he and his partner bought out that company in 2007 and brought the company home to the Sequatchie Valley. They now have an office in Dunlap and at the Erlanger-Bledsoe facilities in Pikeville. 

Smith stated that when he began to talk about opening an independent business people tried to talk him out of it because of the economy and the failure rate of small businesses. But he wanted to come home to start his business. It is his goal to see the Valley boom. He believes that it can be done with some hard work.

“I wanted to become a part of the SVEC board of directors because I believe that the co-op has done more to support the economic development of the area in the last 100 years than any other entity” Smith stated. 

“I think that working with the co-op is a good fit for my goal of seeing my home county grow.

“SVEC and TVA have a long history of providing reliable, affordable electricity. In these times of sky rocketing prices and unsure availability of electricity as was seen in CA a few years ago, reliable, affordable power is a major drawing card to attract potential industries. 

“I believe that SVEC working with local and county governments can attract new businesses and revive our local economy,” Smith continued. 

Since I have been appointed to this position rather than elected, I want to spend the year left on my term getting to know the people of the 11th district and gaining their trust. I hope that when this seat comes up for re-election I will have proven myself worthy of re-elections.”

Smith and his wife Elizabeth live on a small farm on Upper East Valley Rd area of Bledsoe County with their two children Jack (6) and Audrey (10.) 

They raise cattle and fruit trees as a side line. “Farming is what I hope to do when I retire, but I do enjoy working on the farm in what little spare time I have."

Smith and his partner also spend a lot of time as volunteers with the local high schools in Bledsoe and Sequatchie Counties helping with sports medicine issues especially during football season.