Interview with Ralph Carnathan, February 15, 2018

Project: Tennessee Valley Authority Retiree Association Oral History Project

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Interview Summary

Ralph Carnathan, a former TVA employee, begins the interview by discussing how he was hired at the TVA. Carnathan then describes the first job that he had at the TVA, in the Special Studies Section of the Distributor and Marketing Branch. TVA power service areas are briefly mentioned. Additionally, the interviewee provides an overview of the positions that he held throughout his TVA career. Industrial development in the Tennessee Valley is characterized. Carnathan also lists the responsibilities of his job in the Navigation Resources Branch. The different branches of the Navigation Development Division are detailed. The expansion of the Navigation Resources Branch in its industrial development endeavors is considered. Carnathan illustrates his decision to pursue a PhD. Changes in the structure and management of the TVA are explored. Changes to industrial development practices in the South are also mentioned. TVA's involvement in helping bring a Nissan plant to Smyrna, Tennessee is discussed. Both successful and failed industrial development projects aided by the TVA are recalled. Carnathan ends the interview by revealing what the best part of working at the TVA was.

Interview Accession

2019oh1672_tvara0016

Interviewee Name

Ralph Carnathan

Interviewer Name

Philip Mummert

Interview Date

2018-02-15

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

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Carnathan, Ralph Interview by Philip Mummert. 15 Feb. 2018. Lexington, KY: Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.

Carnathan, R. (2018, February 15). Interview by P. Mummert. Tennessee Valley Authority Retiree Association Oral History Project. Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries, Lexington.

Carnathan, Ralph, interview by Philip Mummert. February 15, 2018, Tennessee Valley Authority Retiree Association Oral History Project, Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.





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Persistent Link for this Record: https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt7g4wk8sprlh