NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) Commissioner Bob Rolfe announced today that Margaret Dolan, president and CEO of Launch Tennessee (LaunchTN), will step down from her role and return to the private sector.
The LaunchTN board of directors has appointed Van Tucker as interim CEO effective July 1, 2020. Tucker currently serves as chief operating officer.
LaunchTN, a public-private partnership, is guided by a vision of making Tennessee the most startup-friendly state in the nation. Dolan, who became LaunchTN president and CEO in Oct. 2018, will depart at the end of the month to lead an early stage company that is focused on innovations in impact investing.
“Margaret has made an enormous impact on LaunchTN during her time as president and CEO, and we are grateful for her partnership,” Rolfe said. “Tennessee’s entrepreneurial landscape is thriving because of the work of LaunchTN, and we know this will continue under Van’s leadership.”
Under Dolan’s leadership, LaunchTN has empowered a high-functioning network of resources focused on core priorities that support Tennessee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Most recently, the Tennessee Innovation Crowdsource Platform (TICP) created and maintained by LaunchTN, was launched to support intake, screening and initial evaluation of potential state suppliers of high-priority goods, solutions, services and capabilities, particularly as it pertains to COVID-19 needs.
“LaunchTN, anchored by a strong board of directors, serves a critical purpose for the state of Tennessee,” Dolan said. “I’m honored to have had the opportunity to work collaboratively to build a strategic plan, a fully integrated and authentic network of partners and a team that is well equipped to accelerate our progress. Van Tucker is an extraordinary leader and has been my valued partner in this work. I am gratified that she steps into this role and believe the future is bright for LaunchTN.”
Following the growth seen with Dolan’s leadership, LaunchTN will continue to build on its vision as Tucker assumes responsibilities.
“Margaret and I share a passion for building ecosystems that allow for accessible economic prosperity for all,” Tucker said. “Working with her has been such a rewarding learning experience. She is a treasure in our community, and she will be missed at LaunchTN. We are excited to begin the next chapter of LaunchTN and take great comfort to know that Margaret will not be far as she continues her life’s work of improved community impact.”
About LaunchTN
LaunchTN is a public-private partnership with a vision to make Tennessee the most startup-friendly state in the nation. Our mission is to empower a high-functioning network of resources focused on core priorities that support Tennessee’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through our network of Entrepreneur Centers and partner organizations across the state, LaunchTN fosters collaboration among entrepreneurs, the private sector, capital sources, institutions, and government to offer entrepreneurs what they need to succeed and stay in Tennessee to build companies and create jobs.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
