John L. Ryder ’74 has been named to a seat on the board of directors for the Tennessee Valley Authority.
President Donald Trump nominated Ryder to fill one of the nine seats on the board that oversees America’s biggest government-owned utility. Ryder’s appointment to the TVA board requires confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
Ryder is a member of Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh in Memphis. An expert in election law, he has taught Campaign Finance and Elections as a member of Vanderbilt’s adjunct law faculty. He currently serves as general counsel of the Republican National Committee and as litigation counsel for the Shelby County, Tennessee, Election Commission. He is also vice president of the Republican National Lawyers Association.
Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., welcomed the appointment of Ryder, calling the Memphis lawyer “a respected leader in Tennessee” who he said “fully understand’s TVA mission” in the seven-state region served by the federal utility. “He will bring valuable experience to the board, and I am honored to recommend him to my colleagues for swift confirmation,” Corker said.
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said he was glad to join Corker in recommending Trump nominate Ryder. “John is a respected leader in Shelby County and in our state,” Alexander said in a statement. “He understands that TVA’s mission is to continue to provide cheap, clean, reliable electricity for homes and businesses throughout the Tennessee Valley region. I look forward to his confirmation by the United States Senate.”
