By Michelle Price
Special to the UCBJ
COOKEVILLE – Angela Regitko has been named as Tennessee Department of Economic Development (ECD) Upper Cumberland Regional Director, effective Monday, June 13. She will succeed Cody Huddleston who is moving to the private sector.
“Angela was instrumental in landing Babynov to Red Boiling Springs. It was her first international project. It had multiple consultants involved, multiple brokers – it was messy and challenging,” said Huddleston. “Economic Development Activity has been strong the last several years, and it is going to continue to be strong. This region is poised for continued growth. Now Angela is going to lead the team working recruitment projects and expansions.”
Last year was a record-breaking jobs year and capital investment in the state of Tennessee. As things continue to move outside of the metropolitan area, the Upper Cumberland becomes a more attractive spot to land a company, according to Regitko.
Regitko came to ECD as a Business Development Consultant in 2106. Her previous experience was in the insurance industry, and she feels that background gave her the ability to work closely with communities and businesses to truly understand their needs.
“I love working with people,” Regitko shared. “I enjoy my relationships with the stakeholders, the communities, the chambers and all the prospects.
Working with communities and businesses to help others is Regitko’s favorite part of her job.
“You can make a difference in people’s lives and see what you can do by bringing jobs to the community. Better paying jobs make a difference in people’s lives,” she said.
Regitko’s team will serve the 14-county region, consisting of Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren Warren and White counties.
Regitko studied political science at the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Tech University. She serves as a committee member with Empower Upper Cumberland and is a member of the Cookeville Sunset Rotary and the Tennessee Economic Development Council. She and her husband, George, live in Cookeville. She has three daughters and six grandchildren.
For more information on business expansion or location in the Upper Cumberland, Regitko can be reached at 931-312-9210 or by email angela.regitko@tn.gov.
