Thomas B. Ballard, Director

Thomas B. Ballard is Director of Economic Development and Partnerships for UT-Battelle, the managing contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn. He joined the management team of UT-Battelle in July 2004 after retiring from the University of Tennessee following nearly 35 years with the institution. His last position with UT was as Vice President for Public and Governmental Relations, where he oversaw federal and state governmental relations, public relations, and UT's nationally-recognized outreach programs for government and industry.

At UT-Battelle, Ballard leads the economic development division of ORNL's Technology Transfer and Economic Development directorate. The team works to promote major regional initiatives throughout the south in homeland security, automotive research and development, nanotechnology, information technology, and bioenergy.

Ballard is a graduate of UT with a bachelor's degree in communications and was the 2001 recipient of the college's Hileman Outstanding Alumni Award.