Gresham Smith is excited to announce that Robbie Hayes, AICP, has joined the firm as a Senior Vice President, Middle Tennessee Multi-Market Strategist.
A widely recognized industry leader, Hayes brings more than two decades of experience in driving strategic growth and delivering complex projects and programs across Tennessee and the Southeast. He also brings deep expertise in practice building, team development, strategic planning, business development and government relations. Hayes is actively engaged in the Middle Tennessee community, holding leadership roles across prominent regional organizations and initiatives.
At his previous firm, he led strategic planning efforts that grew an office from one to more than 50 professionals, expanded services and contract portfolios, and advanced high-impact pursuits while building trusted relationships with clients, partner firms, and elected and civic leaders. He played an integral role in developing new business and leading client service teams for a number of clients in Middle Tennessee, including the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Metro Nashville, WeGo and the Nashville International Airport.
“Robbie’s track record of building teams, earning client trust and shaping regional growth strategies is exceptional,” said Rodney Chester, CEO and Board Chair of Gresham Smith. “He will play a critical role in advancing the firm’s 2030 Strategic Direction by strengthening market differentiation, expanding regional market share and positioning the firm to lead the most significant and transformative projects in Middle Tennessee.”
In his new role at Gresham Smith, Hayes will serve as the executive strategic growth leader for Middle Tennessee, collaborating directly with the firm’s Management Team and the leadership of the firm’s eight markets to shape and execute Gresham Smith’s long-term growth strategy.
“Gresham Smith’s legacy and forward-looking strategy are two of the reasons that I’m excited to collaborate with leadership to strengthen partnerships, align across markets and help position the firm to lead the region’s most transformative opportunities,” Hayes said.
Outside of the office, Hayes has held a number of influential positions on key community campaigns and nonprofit boards. He served as a member of Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Let’s Move Nashville Technical Advisory Committee and as Secretary for the Nashville Moves transit campaign. Currently, he serves on the boards of the Nashville Downtown Partnership and Cumberland Region Tomorrow. He is also active with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Moving Forward Transit Committee and Partnership 2030. He’s a graduate of both Leadership Middle Tennessee and Leadership Brentwood.
