In Touch with Tennessee

A single blurry photo can unravel a case, and a “perfect” AI-enhanced image can be even more dangerous. We sit down with Jason Jones, training specialist with the National Forensic Academy at the University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center, to unpack what modern forensic science really looks like when the goal is evidence that holds up in court.

We sit down with Danny Norman, Advanced Manufacturing Consultant with the Center for Industrial Services at the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service, to talk about what it really takes to put artificial intelligence to work on the factory floor without getting lost in hype. We dig into the AI for manufacturing training delivered with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and why the fi...

Tennessee is growing fast, and the pace of change is showing up in the most tangible way possible: land. New research shared with state and local leaders shows massive conversion of agricultural and forestry acres into development, with losses continuing at a striking daily rate. 

We sit down with the partners and class members behind the Tennessee Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program (TAFLIP), a new 18‑month, statewide initiative built to equip working producers and industry pros with the skills and networks to lead well beyond their operations.

A five‑week academy that changes careers—and cultures—doesn’t happen by accident. We sit down with Jeff Lindsay and Dereck Stewart from the Law Enforcement Innovation Center to unpack how the Southeastern Leadership Academy (SELA) helps mid‑level managers become clear communicators, thoughtful decision‑makers and credible leaders at every rank. From the program’s evolution beyond SECLA to its larg...

They're in your pocket, on your wrist, powering your car, and hiding in dozens of devices throughout your home and workplace. Lithium-ion batteries have silently revolutionized modern life, but their convenience masks significant danger that most people remain completely unaware of. In this eye-opening discussion, safety experts from across the University of Tennessee system reveal why these...

The workplace is changing at breakneck speed, and Tennessee is actively responding to these shifts through innovative workforce development initiatives. This eye-opening conversation with workforce experts Tim Waldo and Autumn Derrick from the University of Tennessee's Center for Industrial Services reveals both encouraging progress and persistent challenges in our evolving labor market. Cont...

The Tennessee Language Center and Nashville Mayor's Office have pioneered an approach to civic communication that's transforming how local government connects with all residents. Through professional simultaneous interpretation, Mayor Freddie O'Connell's State of Metro addresses have reached over 6,000 Spanish-speaking Nashvillians who might otherwise miss critical information...

The language barrier between law enforcement and the communities they serve presents unique challenges that impact both officer safety and public welfare. When 8.7% of Tennesseans speak a language other than English at home—with Spanish being the most common at 5.3%—police departments must adapt or risk serious communication failures during critical moments. The University of Tennessee's Law...

Chief Freddie Montgomery of Clarksville Fire Rescue shares how watching his father battle blazes as a child shaped his future, including a poignant promise to "leave it better than you found it." MTAS consultants Donald Pinnell and Steve Cross reveal their unexpected paths into firefighting—one originally aiming for federal agency work, the other laid off from a chemical plant when a new...

When public trust is at an all-time low and emergencies unfold at lightning speed, who prepares the people responsible for communicating critical information? The UT Law Enforcement Innovation Center offers a certification rapidly becoming the gold standard for public information officer training across the United States.

Join us as we discuss innovative programs initiated by the Law Enforcement Innovation Center and the Center for Human Identification, which aim to equip tribal law enforcement with the necessary tools and training to address MMIP cases more effectively. Hear firsthand accounts from experts in the field who share their insights on building stronger investigative methodologies, networking across age...

Unlock the secrets of effective economic development with insights from Tennessee's experts! Join us on "In Touch with Tennessee" as we sit down with Tintin Czach from the Center for Industrial Services to explore the fascinating journey of the Tennessee Certified Economic Developer (TSEB) Program. From its humble beginnings with the Tennessee Basic Economic Development course in 20...

Unlock the secrets to revolutionizing workforce development in Tennessee's manufacturing sector with insights from Todd Reeves of the Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership (TMEP) and Jackie Larson from Tooling U SME. Discover how their collaborative effort is empowering small and medium-sized manufacturers through an extensive online training platform, offering over 600 courses tailor...

Can employment be the key to breaking the cycle of recidivism? Join us as we uncover the groundbreaking initiatives led by the Tennessee Office of Reentry, featuring  Dr. Andre Temple and Dr. William Arnold Jr. Discover how the nation's first labor-based reentry office is transforming lives by empowering incarcerated individuals with critical manufacturing skills, ensuring they have a chance...

Discover the transformative power of the Tennessee Certified Public Manager (CPM) program in our latest episode, where we're joined by Trent Clagg, the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership Center Program Manager, and Terry Bell, a CPM graduate and current Director of Community Corrections in Madison County. Unpack the secrets behind the program's successful expansion, its tailored lead...

Step into a celebration of service and knowledge as we toast to the 75th anniversary of the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS). With the agency's long-standing dedication to Tennessee municipalities, this episode is a treasure trove of history, evolution, and triumph. Hear the voices of MTAS veterans and a steadfast customer who'll share how the service has expanded from simple...

Ever wondered how the power of language can transform community service? Join us as we uncover the story of how Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, together with Maya Campbell from the Tennessee Language Center and Jessica Goode from Second Harvest, is bridging language barriers to better support Nashville's Spanish-speaking community. This episode promises a heartening look at cult...

Ever wondered how the intricate world of Human Resources operates in Tennessee cities? Can you distinguish between the HR practices in the public and private sectors? Join us, along with our brilliant HR consultants, Betsy Cunningham, John Grubbs, and Peter Voss, as we unravel the complexities. We'll tackle everything from goals and recruiting processes to regulatory oversight in both sectors...

Are you ready to navigate the complex waters of opioid settlements with us? We look into Tennessee's opioid crisis and the SMART initiative's role in guiding counties and cities on the use of funds from the lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies.  SMART Executive Director Jennifer Tourville and CTAS County Government Consultant Heather Duncan discuss their meetings with counties acros...

Six former executive directors and Jon Walden, the agency's current executive director sit down to talk about 50 years of history at the County Technical Assistance Service (CTAS). 

Richard Ponce de Leon with the Tennessee Langauge Center and Heidi Mariscal with Nashvilles Emergency Management Office discuss the Cultural Ambassadors for Disasters program. The program places ambassadors in immigrant areas in the event of a disaster to help residents of the area understand what is happening. 

The Naifeh Professional Excellence Series, a program of the Naifeh Center for Effective Leadership provides quarterly leadership development courses in Knoxville, Nashville, and Jackson.  One day of training includes two courses, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Courses are provided from a library of 30 classes in a variety of Lominger Leadership competencies in three Naifeh Center do...

CIS Solutions Consultant Kevin Cooper and Dwaine Raper, CIS director of manufacturing extension discuss CONNEX Tennessee. CONNEX is a powerful online capabilities and connectivity platform that enables manufacturers to find additional suppliers or to become a supplier to others. This state-of-the-art platform is provided through the UT Center for Industrial Services’ Tennessee Manufacturing Extens...

Learn more about the history and mission of the Tennessee Renewable Energy and Economic Development Council (TREEDC). The guests are Warren Nevad, a management consultant and TREEDC co-founder, and Dwain Land, president of the council and former mayor of Dunlap, Tenn.