Star Staff Reports
NASHVILLE — Lt. Governor Randy McNally (R-Oak Ridge) today announced the appointment of Evelyn Crawford Robertson, Jr. of Whiteville and Michael J. Banks of Brownsville to the Megasite Authority of West Tennessee Board of Directors.
“The historic investment by Ford Motor Company in West Tennessee will bring much-needed prosperity to a region that has been previously left behind,” said Lt. Governor McNally. “The Megasite of West Tennessee’s Board of Directors will be critical to the future of the Megasite and West Tennessee. I am confident these highly qualified individuals will bring great experience and perspective to the board.”
A retired health care executive, former county official and educator, Evelyn Robertson served as Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services from 1991 to 1995. He also served a decade as director of the Southwest Tennessee Development District.
“Mr. Robertson is an outstanding individual and a well-respected community leader. I was proud to recommend him for this position,” said Senator Page Walley (R-Bolivar). “I know he will do an excellent job helping secure a prosperous future for West Tennessee.”
A graduate of the University of Tennessee and the Cecil G. Humphrey School of Law, Michael Banks is an attorney at the Banks Law Firm in Brownsville. He serves as the attorney for the City of Brownsville, the City of Stanton and the County of Haywood. Banks is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Tennessee Army National Guard and previously served as attorney for the West Tennessee Megasite Authority. He was recently named Chief Executive Officer of the soon to be reopened Haywood Community Hospital.
“Michael Banks understands the needs and interests of West Tennessee as few others do,” said Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington). “I am confident he will work hard to make the Megasite the success it is destined to be. I was grateful for the opportunity to recommend him for this appointment.”
Both Banks and Robertson’s appointments began immediately and expire October 31, 2025.
The Megasite Authority will provide services necessary for the operation and development of the Megasite of West Tennessee.
Ford and SK Innovation will invest $5.6 billion to build a 3,600-acre mega campus called Blue Oval City on the Megasite. Blue Oval City will be designed to be the largest, most advanced and most efficient automotive production campus in Ford’s history.
The campus will include the Ford assembly plant, a supplier park and a battery manufacturing plant.
