Tennessee Delta Alliance
The Tennessee Delta Alliance (TDA) is a Byway Management Organization with a dual-purpose to manage the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and a water-based, regional Keep America Beautiful. TDA is funded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation Highway Beautification Office - Environmental Division in support of Executive Order #23 (1965), establishing a Mississippi River Parkway Commission for Tennessee.
To learn more about Tennessee Delta Alliance partnerships and community events, please contact:
Edmond McDavis III
Director, Tennessee Delta Alliance
University of Memphis
emcdavis@memphis.edu | 901.857.4033
Edmond serves as Director of Tennessee Delta Alliance (TDA), a Tennessee Department of Transportation program housed at the University of Memphis, where he manages the Great River Road Scenic Byway in Tennessee.
In this role, Edmond strives to improve ecotourism in the five counties in Tennessee that touch the Mississippi River, which includes Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Shelby, and Tipton. TDA was established in 2022, and Edmond was hired in Sept. 2022. Edmond is the Tennessee state representative for the Mississippi River Parkway Commission, which is a ten-state coalition. Edmond has focused on litter prevention and awareness events, hosting numerous cleanups, and participating in several festivals/community events in West Tennessee, as well as highlighting tourist destinations via a TN Great River Road YouTube and social media campaign.
A strong believer in active leadership, Edmond has focused on establishing a board of directors including members from each of the five counties he services, as well as actively recruiting beneficial relationships with both county and city mayors in each area, state parks, chambers of commerce, law enforcement, solid waste directors, tourism professionals, schools, as well as, most importantly, volunteers of all ages.
TDA became the second ever river based regional Keep America Beautiful affiliate during July 2024.
Prior to this position, Edmond served as Affiliate Services & Training Coordinator for Keep Tennessee Beautiful, an organization he worked for from 2006 to 2022. Edmond is a certified Community Environment Professional for Keep America Beautiful (c/o 2017). A native of Columbus, MS, Edmond earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism from Mississippi University for Women (MUW), with a minor in psychology in 2003. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in leadership from the University of Memphis. He is a past president of the Mid-South Alumni Chapter for MUW, current board president of the Robin Terry Foundation, serves as conference director for Tennessee Recycling Coalition’s TN Sustainability Conference, and volunteers when asked to serve on MUW’s various alumni board initiatives. Edmond is married to Alexis S. McDavis. They have a son, Tatum Jayce, and a daughter, Gemma Grace.
In Partnership with...
Tennessee Recycling Coalition Announces
2026 Recycler of the Year Awards
NASHVILLE, TENN. (Aug. 27, 2026) – The Tennessee Recycling Coalition is pleased to announce the 2026 Recycler of the Year Awards, which were presented at the recent Tennessee Sustainability Conference. This special program recognizes individuals, organizations, and businesses in Tennessee that have demonstrated a commitment to and outstanding achievement in waste prevention and recycling.
Caleb Powell, Tennessee Sustainability Conference director and TRC chairman of the board, along with TRC Executive Director Amber Greene, presented the awards during the annual conference held at Gatlinburg’s Park Vista Hotel. The collaborative event was organized by TRC, the TN Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Tennessee Environmental Conference.
The award for Business Recycler of the Year was presented to The Compost Company. Based in Ashland City and serving Nashville and all Middle Tennessee since 2012, The Compost Company is the only full-circle composting service in the region. The award was accepted by owners Clay and Jeffrey Ezell.
Y-12 National Security Complex's Stewardship Operations Services Program was named Government Recycler of the Year. The Y-12 complex is committed to conducting activities in a manner which protects the public and the environment, prevents pollution, complies with applicable regulations, and continuously improves the management systems. Y-12’s Chloe Brown accepted the award.
Tennessee Delta Alliance was named Non-Profit Recycler of the Year. Tennessee Delta Alliance is a Byway Management Organization with a dual-purpose to manage the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and a water-based, regional Keep America Beautiful alignment. Under the leadership of Director Edmond McDavis III, who received the award, the Tennessee Delta Alliance is actively involved in litter prevention and environmental stewardship education in the Mississippi River Delta in Tennessee.
This year’s Top TN Recycling Leader award was presented to Buford Powell in a moving speech from his son Caleb Powell. Buford is an industry professional with extensive experience in solid waste management. Most recently, Powell oversaw SP Recycling Southeast, LLC’s operations in LaVergne, Tenn.
The Tom Hattle Memorial Award was presented to Jennifer Sauer, STEM and Environmental Studies educator and Social Justice advocate with Knox County Schools. Among the highlights of Jennifer’s work is leading students working in veggie and native gardens in the South Doyle Middle School's Green STEM related arts classes and more.
This year’s Bob Fletcher Memorial Award Scholarship was presented to Autumn Greene by Bob’s daughter Alexis Fletcher-Biggs. Autumn has served as a summer intern at Tennessee Recycling Coalition. She plans to major in Wildlife Biology and Zoology. Bob’s widow Betty and daughter Ashland were also present.
Abbie Greene, twin sister to Autumn, had the opportunity to share her presentation about growing up in the environmental industry as the daughter of TRC’s Amber Greene. Abbie is passionate about environmental stewardship. Her fundraising efforts for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital garnered a $3k donation from Meridian Waste.
The Tennessee Environmental Conference presented the 2026 Paul Hayden Memorial Award to fellow Greene County resident and environmental steward Jerry Griffin. For more than 50 years, Jerry has emulated Paul’s leadership as a volunteer conservationist and community leader whose work has shaped the environment and inspired generations of new stewards across the region. Most recently, Jerry has been a hero during clean-up after Hurricane Helene. He is serving on the David Crockett Birthplace State Park advisory board during the total rebuild of the park. Jerry Griffin never shies away from hard work and dedication to environmental protection, and we were pleased to present him this special award.
Visit TRC for more information.
For Immediate Release: March 9, 2023
Edmond McDavis III Appointed Director of Tennessee Delta Alliance
MEMPHIS, TENN – (March 9, 2023) Edmond McDavis III was recently appointed Director of the Tennessee Delta Alliance, an organization which oversees environmental and beautification efforts for the Great River Road National Scenic Byway. The group is also working towards establishing a water-based regional affiliation for Keep America Beautiful, to service the counties of Dyer, Lake, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton. For 16 years, McDavis has served in various roles supporting local affiliates for Keep Tennessee Beautiful.
TDA is funded through a grant with the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The grant supports Governor Clement’s Executive Order #23 (1965), establishing a Mississippi River Parkway Commission for Tennessee. The Alliance is part of the University of Memphis’ Center for Regional Economic Enrichment.
“I am excited to work for the Alliance in this important role, to benefit the communities of West Tennessee.,” McDavis said. “Caring for the region in and around the Mississippi River, one of the world’s major river systems, protects water quality and the environment, and improves the experience of those visiting West Tennessee.”
The Alliance has recently been building partnerships with local officials to deliver on the group’s goals of enriching communities. Communities in the Alliance’s five county service area will receive additional grant support, volunteer engagement, fundraising, and education.
The Alliance was recently awarded a $20,000 Cigarette Litter Prevention Program Grant from Keep America Beautiful. Grant funds will be used to install cigarette receptacles in public areas within the Alliance’s five counties service area. This spring, the Alliance will host a series of cleanups at boat ramps and parks in Dyer, Tipton, Lake, and Shelby counties. Fall cleanups are additionally being planned and event details will be announced as available.
About the Center for Regional Economic Enrichment:
The University of Memphis Center for Regional Economic Enrichment is focused on enhancing
the educational, environmental, and economic well-being of people and places of West
Tennessee and the Delta. It includes GROWWTH (Growing Relational and Occupational
Wealth in West Tennessee Households), Keep Tennessee Beautiful, Tennessee Delta Alliance, PACE (Professional and Continuing Education), Experiential Learning Credit, and
Finish Line programs.