Following Her Yellow Brick Road

King Finds Opportunity for Outreach and Service at TVA

“When you love your job, you don’t work a day in your life,” said RaSharon King, watershed outreach coordinator for TVA’s Natural Resources Public Outreach and Support. She manages both the Camp-Right Campgrounds and Clean Marina programs—voluntary programs that encourage the preservation of water quality and other natural resources, ensuring that recreation in the Valley region is safe and sustainable.

A 32-year employee of TVA, King’s career path has been her yellow brick road.

King’s face lit up when she talked about her favorite movie and Broadway musical, The Wiz. “I know all the songs, and I can definitely see myself as Dorothy,” she mused.

King is resourceful, approachable and never meets a stranger. It’s easy to see her story through the lens of her favorite fictional character—networking and singing arm-in-arm with those she meets along the way.

She embodies curiosity.

King began her educational journey at the University of Tennessee- Knoxville where she earned a bachelor’s degree in forestry. Though she co-opted with the U.S. Forest Service for three years, when a job was slated to take her out west, King decided to stay close to family instead.

A few clicks of her heels and King’s commitment to home brought her to TVA where she spent 27 years doing work in what is now called Reservoir Land Use and Permitting. In the meantime, she also earned a master’s degree in public administration at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga.

“My advice to anyone who is new to TVA is to make yourself available, try new things and meet new people,” King said. “I’ve always tried to volunteer for projects that involve kids and the community. They are my passion.”

This curiosity is what equipped her for her most recent position in public outreach and support, a role that allows King to engage with communities, increase awareness around natural resources and create opportunities for public involvement in resource stewardship and recreation.

“I love outreach and service. After I got this new position, my passion and my day job became one.”

She embodies compassion.

King cares deeply about preserving and protecting the environment.

“To me, sustainability is protecting our natural resources for our future generations.”

Her zest for advocacy spills over into her personal life as well. As president of the Chattanooga chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. King continues to elevate students and community members through scholarship and service. She has also spearheaded an annual multi-congregational church event for 15 years.

And finally, she embodies courage. 

In 2016, King ran her first—and what she promises to be her last—marathon at Disney World.

“When I turned 40, I made a commitment to myself and my health,” King said. “I’ve run 25 half marathons and too many 5Ks to remember, all supporting worthy causes, since then, but I finally decided to do a full.”

That day, at mile 17, King looked behind her to see the sweepers, a crew responsible for managing the race’s cutoff time. If they pass you, you don’t finish.

“I just kept telling myself, ‘I’m not letting them pull me out of this race. I am not letting them pass me.’”

She finished the race and has the medal to prove it. Perseverance through adversity (and a little bit of magic) got King across the finish line and farther.

Curiosity, compassion and courage—oh my!