King comes to MTE after serving as Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. He also has previous experience in the electric cooperative industry, having served as vice president of the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, where he led efforts involving broadband expansion, infrastructure improvements and economic growth in rural communities.

“Ryan brings a combination of experience in government, electric cooperatives, agriculture, economic development and community leadership,” said MTE President and CEO Chris Jones. “He also understands Middle Tennessee and the people and communities we serve. He shares our commitment to serving our members and strengthening the communities we call home. I am thankful to have him join our team.”

In his new position, King will lead MTE’s efforts to build and maintain relationships with elected officials, government agencies, community organizations and other key stakeholders. In addition to overseeing governmental affairs, King will lead the cooperative’s community relations and communications functions.

“I’m excited to return to electric cooperatives and join MTE at such an important time in its history,” King said. “MTE has a tremendous record of serving members and communities, and I’ve always believed one of the greatest strengths of electric cooperatives is the dedicated people who make that service possible. I look forward to working alongside the outstanding team at MTE and building on its strong legacy of service.”

A Lebanon native, King grew up around Tennessee’s agriculture industry and was active in the Wilson Central FFA chapter, earning both State and American FFA Degrees. He earned a degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Agricultural Education from Middle Tennessee State University and later received a Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Communications from the University of Tennessee.

King’s professional background also includes serving as vice president of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where he managed government affairs and policy initiatives at the local, state and federal levels. Earlier in his career, he held positions with the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, adding to his experience in public policy and issues affecting Tennessee’s rural communities.

King has also participated in several statewide civic and leadership organizations. He served as chairman of the 2025 Tennessee Governor’s Prayer Breakfast, has served on the Tennessee 4-H Foundation Board of Directors and was a member of Leadership Tennessee Class XII. King and his wife, Amy, live in Franklin with their two children, Lincoln and Mary Grace.

About Middle Tennessee Electric (MTE) - Founded in 1936, MTE is the largest electric cooperative in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) region and the second-largest in the United States, serving more than 750,000 Tennesseans via 360,000+ accounts covering nearly 2,200 square miles in 11 Middle Tennessee counties, primarily Rutherford, Cannon, Williamson and Wilson. Municipalities served include Murfreesboro, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, La Vergne, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet. MTE employs around 540 people in five local offices and its Murfreesboro headquarters.

MTE’s subsidiary, United Communications, is a nationally recognized broadband company with a fiber network spanning more than 6,600 route miles, providing high-speed internet and phone services to portions of Bedford, Davidson, Franklin, Giles, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Rutherford, Williamson and Wilson counties.

For more information, please visit www.mte.com.