Former Chamber CEO Joins Memphis Law Firm as Advisor
Local business operators gain a new resource for navigating economic development incentives and public-private partnerships.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in People
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Former Greater Memphis Chamber CEO Ted Townsend has joined the law firm Adams & Reese as a public policy advisor. He will now provide counsel on economic development and public-private partnerships within the firm’s government practice.
Why it matters
Townsend’s transition to Adams & Reese signals a focus on bridging private sector goals with government regulatory processes. For operators, this move highlights the growing importance of securing public-private partnerships and incentives to manage large-scale business expansion projects.
Townsend joins Adams & Reese after a four-year tenure as CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber, where he oversaw major initiatives from 2022 to 2026. His record includes efforts to secure federal bridge funding and support for large-scale projects like Ford’s Blue Oval City.
The players
Ted Townsend
A former executive who served as CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber from 2022 to 2026 and now acts as a public policy advisor.
Adams & Reese
A regional law firm that provides legal and government relations counsel to businesses and organizations.
Greater Memphis Chamber
A business advocacy organization that promotes economic development and infrastructure growth in the Memphis area.
The details
At Adams & Reese, Townsend joins the Intersection of Business & Government practice. He is tasked with advising corporate clients on navigating economic development incentives and complex public funding strategies. This role leverages his background in managing high-stakes projects, such as the 2024 xAI supercomputer facility in Memphis, to help private enterprises better engage with public sector stakeholders.
Timeline
2022: Townsend appointed CEO of the Greater Memphis Chamber.
2024: Townsend reports xAI plans for a southwest Memphis supercomputer.
April 2026: Townsend resigns from his position at the Greater Memphis Chamber.
October 26, 2026: Adams & Reese announces Townsend as a new public policy advisor.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows a documented industry trend of law firms recruiting former chamber executives to manage the intersection of private commerce and government funding. It underscores a shift where companies increasingly prioritize specialized navigation of complex economic development incentives.
Business owners looking to access public funding or economic incentives should evaluate their current strategy for navigating local policy intersections. Engaging counsel with direct experience in institutional economic development can be a vital operational step for securing state and federal backing.
The takeaway
Operators should monitor how their law firm partners leverage former economic development officials to secure tax incentives and permits. Track the upcoming project announcements from firms in this space to identify which economic sectors in Memphis are receiving the most competitive legislative support.
Further reading
For additional insights into the leadership moves shaping the local business environment, visit People.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 3 WREG-TV Memphis.
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