Marla Rye
Northern Middle TN Workforce Board
Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development
Executive
Original Join Date: 2026
Professional Bio
Marla Rye is the President of Workforce Essentials, Inc., headquartered in Clarksville. She also serves as the Executive Director of the Northern Middle Workforce Board and provides workforce and economic development services in 13 counties across Middle Tennessee.
As a convener, Marla works to improve people's lives through education and training, to build a quality workforce. Marla has also assisted in many economic development initiatives, including providing workforce support to new businesses and industries locating in TN. Believing that economic and workforce development are synonymous, she has collaborated with economic developers to attract companies such as Hankook Tire, Beretta Firearms, Dal Tile and LG.
Marla has been with Workforce Essentials for 34 years and has been recognized at local, state, and national levels for her leadership in community service and economic development. Notably, she was the recipient of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals coveted ‘Thomas Ahlers System Building Award,’ which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession through the development or enhancement of workforce systems, or the building of strategic alliances and partnerships. Her work at Fort Campbell was instrumental in a multi-million award to implement the Campbell Strong Workforce Partnership, supporting transitioning service members.
Marla holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Austin Peay State University. She is a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, National Association of
Workforce Boards, South Eastern Employment and Training Association and Clarksville Women’s Network. She is also a graduate of Leadership Clarksville and Middle Tennessee.
Raised in Dover, TN, Marla and her husband, Richie, reside in Cumberland City. They have two children, Haley and Hunter, but she is most proud of her three grandchildren, Ben, Charlotte and Wes.
As a convener, Marla works to improve people's lives through education and training, to build a quality workforce. Marla has also assisted in many economic development initiatives, including providing workforce support to new businesses and industries locating in TN. Believing that economic and workforce development are synonymous, she has collaborated with economic developers to attract companies such as Hankook Tire, Beretta Firearms, Dal Tile and LG.
Marla has been with Workforce Essentials for 34 years and has been recognized at local, state, and national levels for her leadership in community service and economic development. Notably, she was the recipient of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals coveted ‘Thomas Ahlers System Building Award,’ which recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession through the development or enhancement of workforce systems, or the building of strategic alliances and partnerships. Her work at Fort Campbell was instrumental in a multi-million award to implement the Campbell Strong Workforce Partnership, supporting transitioning service members.
Marla holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Austin Peay State University. She is a member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals, National Association of
Workforce Boards, South Eastern Employment and Training Association and Clarksville Women’s Network. She is also a graduate of Leadership Clarksville and Middle Tennessee.
Raised in Dover, TN, Marla and her husband, Richie, reside in Cumberland City. They have two children, Haley and Hunter, but she is most proud of her three grandchildren, Ben, Charlotte and Wes.
Company/Organization