JUL 11 · BY CHELSEA DARTEZ

Tessa Davis: Visit Cookeville Marketing Manager Inspiring Tourism in the Upper Cumberland

Tessa Davis.

Collaboration, drive, and kindness personified.

Cookeville’s wunderkind is an undeniable force within our community, the definition of a Mover and Shaker.

From her days at Rock Island and Cumberland Caverns, a passion for the outdoors, and those around her, have guided Tessa’s journey to the present. And, in her position as marketing manager for Visit Cookeville, she channels a rare combination of talent and energy to relentlessly celebrate the businesses and people of Cookeville.

A photographer, hiker, kayaker, music lover, mother to six, wife, and spontaneous creative, Tessa’s life is a white-knuckle adventure, built for any but the faint of the heart. When asked about juggling the many components of her job and personal creative outlets, Tessa laughed, “I drink a lot of coffee. I do get tired, but I enjoy what I do so much it doesn’t always feel like work. I look forward to going to work every day. Each day is different, but I get to interact with some of the best people in Putnam County. Even though I’m often very tired, I love every minute of it.”

It’s obvious to all who truly know her that Tessa Davis is obsessed with Cookeville. When asked how that zeal for the city finds its way into her work, Tessa stated, “I love the people, the businesses, the business owners, the relationships I’ve built, and the friendships I’ve made. I love the parks, the waterfalls, all of it.” She continued, “To be able to enjoy all the people and natural beauty of the area, with it also being my career, is amazing. I’ve always been a creator and photography has been important to me for many years. To be able to use it in my work in a way that helps promote tourism and the businesses in the community is truly a win-win.”

With a mission for making the Upper Cumberland, and specifically Cookeville, a travel destination, Tessa sees a bright future for tourism in the area.

She stated, “I see progress in Cookeville every day. The comments that we get from those visiting are nothing but positive. Cookeville is getting popular. More people are discussing Cookeville on social media and we think this year is going to be stronger from a tourism perspective than last year. I know the community is going to continue to grow and prosper. I’m excited to see it happen.”

A native of McMinnville (she spent her childhood cultivating a love for small business at her family’s floral shop, The Flower Basket), Tessa has made a huge impact on Cookeville since joining the community in 2022. To conclude our interview, I asked Tessa what it means to be a mover and shaker in the city she loves.

She beamed, “It’s an honor to be named a mover and shaker. I appreciate the magazine so much and to be considered a mover and shaker in Cookeville is very heartwarming and it’s genuinely exciting to be included in such an amazing group of people. I am grateful for everyone who has welcomed me here and noticed how much I care about the people, landmarks, and businesses of the Upper Cumberland.” Tessa concluded, “The people of Cookeville have shown me so much love and support. Although I haven’t been here long, I feel like I’ve lived in Cookeville for my entire life because of the love I’ve received from this amazing city.”