TN 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.

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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, TN Delta Alliance, PACE (Professional and Continuing Education), Experiential Learning Credit, and Finish Line programs.