Nick Forrester, 39, Educational Partnerships Lead, Consolidated Nuclear Security at Y-12 National Security Complex
Nick Forrester is a connector. At Y-12, the nation’s center of excellence for several nuclear weapons and defense materials, he connects school districts, colleges and professional societies to create talent pipelines.
Elected to the Roane County Commission before he turned 30, Forrester has supported more than 1,000 students and started more than 30 programs that keep the nation safe and open up opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to work in high-skilled jobs.
In 50-100 words, introduce yourself to our readers.
I grew up in Kingston and had a supportive family and many great mentors along the way. I am a graduate of ETSU and WGU for my BSS and MBA and still reside in Kingston. I am a former Roane County commissioner, and I owned a political consulting/marketing firm for around 15 years and currently work as the Educational Partnership lead for CNS Y-12 in Oak Ridge. I have an 11-year-old boy who loves to play baseball, and I coach a travel baseball team based in Knoxville.
When you reflect on your career so far, which achievement stands out most?
Throughout my career, I have had the chance to set up and organize many educational programs for different companies and educational institutions. I currently do that with CNS in providing pathways for students to come in and get what would be a dream job for them. Giving someone an opportunity at a new life or a new path in their career is a satisfaction all on its own. When the student tells you they were homeless but now has a place to live because of that job, it makes it all worth it. And Y-12 gives those opportunities.
What is the greatest professional obstacle you’ve had to overcome and how did you overcome it?
At a certain point when I owned my business, I was working a whole lot more than I should, and I had to find a real sense of work-life balance. I definitely found that in my current role, and it is a constant struggle not to just “pick up the phone and work a while.” But I find that when I do have a good work-life balance, I am more productive in all aspects of my life.
In 2025, I will focus on continuing to grow and learn more about my business and more about myself. I think if you are not learning, you are not growing, so I find myself continually intrigued with growth in a multitude of ways, both personal and professional. I also believe in the phrase, “The person with the most information wins,” so I try to collect as much knowledge as I can.
What is your biggest professional dream?
My biggest professional dream was to become governor of this great state. Although that may or may not happen, I find myself adapting every day to find new dreams. I really enjoy the work I do for CNS Y-12, and it would be an honor to continue to learn and move into leadership roles with them.
What mistake did you learn the most from?
I am going the easy route here. I have made more mistakes than I can count and would like to think I don’t make the same mistake more than a couple of times. In the fast-paced world we live in, I think it’s easy to get caught up and make mistakes that can be small or large, but I think it is how you learn and fix them that define you. I also have learned not to dwell on mistakes and know how to get off the mat and keep punching.
What motivates you?
Impact and legacy. It is an overused phrase, but I really want to make an impact and know that when I leave this world, I leave it better off than when I came into it. We all have an opportunity to make money or move up the ladder, but I want to make an impact in my community and state.
The most overrated piece of business advice I ever received was, “It’s not personal, it’s just business.” While I believe I have a good head to separate the two, as you form those business partnerships and relationships, there is certainly a personal and human aspect to them. And it is very tough to separate a decision that has to be made on either front.
What trait do you most want in a co-worker?
Easiest question on the page. I strongly value loyalty in a co-worker. If I am putting my trust in someone, I value loyalty and trust in return.
What about Knoxville would you like to improve?
Just like most bigger and midsize cities, Knoxville is drowning in its own success when it comes to housing and roads. I believe the traffic situation is one of the top priorities to be improved because I have heard from numerous folks coming in that they don’t like fighting this much traffic in not a large city. I think that is the biggest area for growth.
What don’t people know about you?
I think people would be shocked to know that I am a big emotional guy. Usually, people see the business or coaching side of me and think I am pretty intense, and I can be. But at the end of the day, I wear my heart on my sleeve, and I can be a big softy, especially when it comes to people that don’t have a voice or can’t fight for themselves.
Family: Easton, son; Lakita, girlfriend; Pete, father; Tracy, my mother in heaven; Lindsay, sister; Faye, grandmother
Years worked at company: 2
Degrees and certifications: Master’s in business administration, Western Governors University; B.S.S. in political science, East Tennessee State University
Community involvement: East Tennessee Economic Council, Kingston Optimist Club, Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, former Roane County commissioner
This Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
-Daniel Dassow