Middle TN CHD Meetup — July 2025

Middle TN Meetup

Join us in July for a special guest speaker, Mark Pruett, Emmy-winning television director turned sustainability advocate Mark Pruett will share his journey into water resilience and sustainable living. After a successful media career, Mark pivoted to hands-on sustainability, managing major projects like Nashville’s 2nd Avenue restoration and transforming a 100-acre off-grid farm into a living lab for resilience. Now in his 60’s, he empowers others to take control of their resources, proving it’s never too late to create a more sustainable future.

We will also be discussing the future needs of this region and how each of us as citizens and as CHD volunteers can support that mission.

We look forward to having you join us!

Location

All guests must register in advance to receive location information for this Brentwood, TN event. (Address emailed upon confirmation.)

Cost

$5 cash registration fee will be collected at the event.

Speaker Bio

This month, we are excited to put WATER front stage at our Middle TN meetup with Mark Pruett discussing sustainability and parallel water systems. From Emmy-winning television director/editor to sustainability pioneer, Mark’s journey defies conventional paths. After over three decades in media and entertainment — where his television work garnered 10 Emmy Awards and numerous other accolades — he pivoted at mid-life toward creating resilient futures.

As Project Manager for the sustainability portion of Nashville’s 2nd Avenue restoration following the Christmas Day bombing of 2020, and architect of the University of the Cayman Islands’ 15-year master plan, Mark translates visionary thinking into tangible results.

His transformation began unexpectedly while owning and operating one of Nashville’s largest television production houses. During the 2008 housing crisis, his college background in economics and years as an entrepreneur illuminated troubling patterns: American living standards were eroding, and national resource trajectories pointed toward unsustainable futures. Rather than merely documenting these trends, Mark chose to work toward solutions.

After an extensive search, in 2013 he discovered a forgotten 100-acre farm near Columbia, Tennessee — a 1920’s homestead that had never known electricity or running water. What others might see as dilapidation, Mark recognized as opportunity. He hand-built a new barn, engineered a spring-fed water system, and installed solar arrays to achieve complete energy independence. During Covid, he went on to build a completely off-grid home for a neighbor and a spring-fed backup water system for a nearby horse farm. Mark’s property now serves as both laboratory and showcase for practical resilience.

Today, this 60 year old sustainability advocate, certified yoga instructor, and regenerative farming enthusiast helps others reclaim agency over their resources, finances, and wellbeing. Mark’s compelling story demonstrates that it’s never too late to begin building personal and community resilience.