Matt Kisber — Chair, Board of the Silicon Ranch Solar Energy

Speaker Friday, October 6, 2023

What if you could produce electricity, raise livestock for food, and improve the soil conditions and natural nutrient cycles at the same time? Silicon Ranch Solar Energy works with local land owners, utilities, and farmers to purchase land, establish quality solar energy generating stations, raise livestock on the same land, and plant that land using long-term, deep-rooted multi-species grasses and plant growth cycles.    

Our speaker this week is Matt Kisber, co-founder and Chair of the Board of Silicon Ranch Corporation, which develops and operates solar energy facilities. Under his leadership, Silicon Ranch has become one of the 5 largest solar developers, owners, and operators in the United States. Prior to his work with Silicon Ranch, Mr. Kisber served eight years as Tennessee Commissioner of Economic Development, responsible for developing the infrastructure and resources of Tennessee communities and expanding the state’s business-friendly economic climate, while attracting new industries and helping existing industries grow. Under his leadership, Tennessee companies created more than 230,000 new jobs and invested over $34 billion in new capital. Mr. Kisber led the effort that brought Nissan North America’s and Asurion headquarters, Amazon, Volkswagen Auto Manufacturing, and many other companies to Tennessee.

Mr. Kisber served in the Tennessee House of Representatives, serving ten consecutive two-year terms prior to voluntarily leaving office in November 2002. During his years in the state legislature, he served as chair of the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee, as well as special joint committees of the House and Senate.  While serving as a part-time legislator, Mr. Kisber was employed by First Tennessee Bank, where he held the position of Vice President of Business Development.

Mr. Kisber is also active in various civic, entrepreneurial, and cultural causes, and currently serves on the board of directors of the Adventure Science Center, Cheekwood, Nashville Public Library Foundation, Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council and is Immediate Past Chair of the Tennessee Business Roundtable. He previously has served on the Board of Directors of the Entrepreneur Center of Nashville, Tennessee Holocaust Commission, Tennessee Tomorrow, Inc., WestStar Leadership Program, and the Tennessee State Museum Foundation. Mr. Kisber earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University. Mr. Kisber, his wife, Paige, and their two children live in Nashville.
 

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