Leadership in a Growing Region

By Jaclyn Tidwell | Programs & Strategy for Cumberland Region Tomorrow 

This blog is the fourth of a series based on the November 2025 Power of 10 Summit. 

Our new blog series captures the key insights, bold ideas, and practical strategies from the 2025 Power of 10 Summit. Each post serves as both a record of the conversations that shaped the summit and a hands-on resource for leaders across the region. In this installment, we dive into a session that focused on the people who guide our communities—the mayors, who balance growth, infrastructure, and quality of life while building a stronger Middle Tennessee together.

Our Panel of Mayors 

This mid-morning session brought four experienced leaders to the stage, each offering a window into their community and the strategies they’ve used to navigate change. Brian Stover, mayor of Thompson Station, reflected on the town’s rapid growth from 2,700 residents in 2014 to over 10,000 today. He highlighted family-centered planning, the preservation of 250 acres of parkland, and investments like a new town hall and wastewater plant, all designed to maintain Thompson Station’s character while supporting expansion. His stories reminded the audience that even in small towns, thoughtful planning and infrastructure investments are critical for sustainable growth.

Randall Hutto, mayor of Wilson County, shared insights on managing the fastest-growing county in the state. Balancing economic development, open space, and historical preservation has been a delicate act, especially as new businesses and residents arrive. He emphasized the challenge of ensuring affordable housing while maintaining the county’s hometown charm, pointing to the importance of proactive planning and collaboration across municipalities.

Rogers Anderson, mayor of Williamson County, drew on nearly 40 years of public service. He painted a picture of coordinated growth, showing how cities and counties can work together to expand infrastructure, protect farmland, and maintain high-quality education. Anderson’s reflections underscored the value of regional cooperation, long-term planning, and a willingness to learn from past successes and mistakes.

Joe Pitts, mayor of Clarksville, offered a perspective from the northern edge of Middle Tennessee, highlighting the region’s connection to Fort Campbell and surrounding counties in Tennessee and Kentucky. He emphasized that effective planning goes beyond city borders, requiring collaboration on transportation, public safety, housing, and economic development. Pitts illustrated how city and county governments, private organizations, and nonprofits can work in partnership to address shared challenges and create opportunities for all residents.

Throughout the session, a clear theme emerged: growth presents challenges, but it also creates opportunities for regional collaboration, innovation, and stronger communities. The mayors’ stories made it clear that no community faces these issues alone—learning from peers and working together is essential.

Key Takeaways

Regional Collaboration is Critical – No single community can address growth challenges alone. Mayors, counties, and the private sector must coordinate and communicate.“We do have a good collaboration…we help one another, we share, we believe in a region.” – Mayor Hutto

Plan Ahead to Prepare for Change – Communities that anticipate growth and infrastructure needs are better equipped to handle crises and opportunities alike.“Preparation in times of peace determines behavior in times of crisis.” – Mayor Anderson

Engage Residents and Build Trust – Educating the public and communicating clearly combats misinformation and strengthens community buy-in.“When you live in your neighborhoods and you see misinformation going around, grab some folks and make it clear what exactly is happening.” – Mayor Pitts

Balance Growth and Quality of Life – Thoughtful zoning, preservation of open space, and attention to affordable housing ensure growth benefits everyone.“Everyone moves to Thompson’s Station for our rolling hills and open spaces. Our job is to protect the character people love while still planning responsibly for the growth that’s already here.” – Mayor Stover

Learn from Each Other – Sharing lessons, successes, and missteps across the region allows leaders to adopt best practices and make informed decisions.

Conclusion

Middle Tennessee is growing fast, and with growth comes both opportunity and responsibility. Traffic, housing affordability, and infrastructure are challenges every community faces—but by planning ahead, engaging residents, and collaborating across city, county, and sector lines, leaders can turn these challenges into opportunities. The mayors in this session showed that thoughtful leadership, regional cooperation, and a commitment to quality of life can help Middle Tennessee continue to thrive. Their stories serve as a guide: working together, sharing knowledge, and learning from one another will be the keys to sustaining a strong, resilient, and vibrant region.