As a third-generation native of Kingston, Wade Creswell’s connection to this region began with his grandfathers, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before joining the historic workforce at the K-25 and X-10 sites. Today, he serves as the Roane County Executive and Chief Financial Officer, a role he has held since his election in August 2022.
Wade’s leadership is defined by a unique understanding of the intersection between local government, federal missions, and private industry. Before taking office, he spent five years as the President and CEO of the Roane Alliance, where he unified the county’s economic development and chamber efforts. He then transitioned to leading Community Engagement for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Since returning to public service, Wade has presided over an era of unprecedented economic transformation for Roane County. Under his administration, the county has realized historic milestones, including $8.56 billion in total capital investment and the creation of 3,010 new jobs. This momentum has solidified Roane County’s standing as a premier national hub for energy and advanced manufacturing. To secure this trajectory, Wade spearheaded the 2023 initiative to align regional stakeholders, ultimately helping found the Oak Ridge Corridor Development Corporation—a landmark partnership between Roane County, Anderson County, and the City of Oak Ridge.
Beyond recruitment, Wade has maintained a strict focus on infrastructure and fiscal discipline. His administration successfully secured funding for a new Roane County Health Department, brought the county jail into full state compliance, and placed School Resource Officers in every county school for the first time. Remarkably, while expanding these essential public services, his most recent county budget remains nearly $3 million less than when he first took office.
A devoted husband and father, Wade resides in Oak Ridge with his wife, Juanita, and their son. He remains dedicated to a “solutions-first” mindset, ensuring that Roane County and its federal partners continue to pull together to move the region forward.