Our Staff
Tracy Boatner
Tracy Boatner is President and CEO of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC), where she leads efforts to strengthen East Tennessee’s role as a hub for nuclear innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. Under her leadership, ETEC has expanded its statewide impact, launching and stewarding the Tennessee Nuclear Network (TN²), the state’s official partnership for advancing nuclear energy and related industries.
Since taking on her leadership role in 2022, Tracy has focused on uniting government, industry, research institutions, and community stakeholders to build strategies that ensure Tennessee remains at the forefront of energy innovation. She has overseen the growth of ETEC’s signature Nuclear Opportunities Workshop (NOW) from just over 80 participants in 2017 to more than 1,000 attendees from across 34 states in 2025. Her ability to convene leaders from national laboratories, TVA, universities, state and federal agencies, and private industry has positioned ETEC as a central connector in Tennessee’s economic and energy ecosystem.
Tracy is also committed to spearheading initiatives to align K-12, technical and community colleges, trades, universities, and industry partners in preparing the next generation of skilled workers for the nuclear sector. She is recognized as a collaborative leader who bridges local and statewide priorities, ensuring Tennessee’s nuclear assets translate into long-term opportunities for communities across the state.
Her additional affiliations include: Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy Fellow at the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs, University of Tennessee; Tennessee Valley Corridor Leadership Council; Fairview Advisory Board; Past-Chair, United Way of Anderson County Board; YWCA of the Tennessee Valley Board; Past President, Rotary Club of Oak Ridge; Center for Leadership & Community Development Board; Leadership Oak Ridge Class of 2016; Leadership Knoxville Class of 2012.
Nicole Allen
Nicole Allen is Vice President of the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC) and serves as the organization’s Director of Communications. Her role spans strategy, marketing, and program management across ETEC’s initiatives.
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, Nicole has lived in Knoxville since 2001 and has spent much of her career working in economic development nonprofits in East Tennessee.
Nicole has more than 21 years of experience managing ETEC’s communications, programs, and member engagement.
She currently serves on the Methodist Medical Center Foundation Board and volunteers with her child’s school activities. She has served as a program mentor for a local Girl Scout troop and as a mentor for TN Achieves through the Tennessee Promise program. She is a graduate of Leadership Oak Ridge’s Class of 2006 and is a member of Fellowship Church.
Nicole graduated from Cumberland College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
She lives in west Knoxville with her family, her husband, Dr. David Allen, DVM, and their two children. Nicole enjoys playing with words and spending time with her family.
Melodie McDonald
Melodie McDonald is the Director of Operations for the East Tennessee Economic Council (ETEC).
She joined the staff in March of 2022. Her part-time work at ETEC includes, but is not limited to bookkeeping, human resource management, customer service, and facilities management.
Originally from Saginaw, Michigan, Melodie moved to Knoxville in 1997. Prior to working for non-profits, she spent 19 years in the financial industry with a focus on secondary marketing.
Melodie is dedicated to serving others in our community and has been involved in the international ministries in her church, hospitality outreach and helping the homeless.
Melodie attended college at Central Michigan University, where she studied Aerospace Engineering and discovered she enjoyed working with numbers more than equations and made the change to accounting.
She lives on a farm in west Knoxville with her family (husband, Michael and two children and seven grandchildren). Melodie enjoys most outdoor activities, remodeling, woodworking, reading and traveling.
