Alexia Poe

challenges, strengthen communication efforts, and develop clear strategies to reach their goals. Poe Consulting is recognized for its work in strategic and crisis communications, organizational analysis, and long-term planning. Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, Alexia Poe began her career as a television reporter and morning anchor in Northeast Tennessee. Early in her journalism work, she received an award from the Associated Press for a series on domestic violence, demonstrating her commitment to impactful storytelling. After entering public service, Poe became a trusted communicator at all levels of government. She was appointed Press Secretary to Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist, becoming only the second woman and the youngest person in the state’s history to hold that role. She then moved to Washington, D.C., to serve in the White House for First Lady Laura Bush. Following that, Poe built the communications office for U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, establishing high-level messaging and public affairs operations from the ground up. Poe later served as Director of Public Affairs at the Nashville-based company Gaylord Entertainment, managing government relations across six states and overseeing the company’s political action committee and philanthropic foundation. In local government, she was Director of Economic and Community Development for Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, where she promoted business growth in Davidson County and led the public campaign for the Music City Center, a major convention center project. She then served as Director of Communications for Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. In this role, Poe served as a senior advisor in the Governor’s Cabinet and led all aspects of crisis communications, internal and external messaging, and strategic communications across state departments. An honors graduate of the University of Tennessee, Poe has received the College of Communication and Information’s Distinguished Alumni Award. She serves on the University of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor’s Advisory Board and on the Boards and Executive Committees for the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and Friends of Warner Parks. She and her husband, Charley, have established the Alexia and Charley Poe Scholarship Fund at the University of Tennessee College of Communications. Poe also provides philanthropic support and volunteers for organizations including West End Community Church, Barefoot Republic Camp, and the Patriot Foundation. Alexia Poe lives in Nashville with her husband and two children. Throughout her career, she has combined a passion for strategic communication with a commitment to public service, community engagement, and philanthropy, making a lasting impact in Tennessee and beyond.