A Conversation with Chris Taylor on A Good Pour
Some guests walk in with a calm steadiness that instantly fills the room. That’s Chris Taylor.
Chris is the CEO of Forward Sumner, but more than that, he’s a believer in building communities where people can grow, work, and stay rooted.
This episode felt like a front-row seat to what “good work” really looks like in our county.
Why Smart Growth Matters
Chris spent 30 years with the Metro Nashville Police Department. He saw communities change — sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once — and he learned something important along the way:
When people have access to real careers, everything changes.
Families grow stronger. Kids have more stability. Neighborhoods gain momentum.
Chris believes one person stepping into the right job can create a ripple that carries through generations. And that belief is a big reason why he stepped out of law enforcement and into Forward Sumner.
Forward Sumner focuses on three things:
- Workforce development
- Infrastructure
- Economic development
It’s the kind of behind-the-scenes work that keeps a county healthy and moving forward.
Seeing the Need Up Close
Through COVID, Chris and his team watched young people struggle. Kids who lost momentum. College freshmen who never really got started. Students unsure of what they wanted next — or even what options were out there.
He kept hearing the same questions:
- “How much money can I make?”
- “Will I be able to stay close to home?”
- “What training do I need?”
- “Is the job even going to exist when I graduate?”
That last one hit especially hard. So many jobs are shifting quickly, and students don’t always see that coming.
Chris knew something had to change. Kids needed a clear place to start — something simple, accurate, and built with them in mind.
The Career Pathway Portal
This is where the magic happens.
Forward Sumner partnered with MedTech and our team at Good Circle Marketing to build something students can use without feeling lost or discouraged.
The Career Pathway Portal gives them:
- Real salary ranges
- Local job availability
- Training requirements
- Links to programs
- Ways to pay for school
- Future job projections
- Skills needed for each path
And it’s all in one place.
On a phone.
In plain language.
A student can tap “I want to be a nurse” or “I want to be in aviation” or “I want to be a welder” and instantly see a snapshot of the future. Not the future from ten years ago — the future that’s coming.
Parents can use it.
Teachers can use it.
Career coaches can use it.
And the data updates constantly.
Helping Kids Start Earlier
One of the biggest surprises?
Chris originally built the tool with juniors and seniors in mind. The school system pushed back.
“Start with freshmen.”
“Start with middle school.”
And they were right.
Kids can take dual-enrollment classes. They can get hours toward certifications while they’re still in high school. They can intern, job shadow, and test things out before college becomes a guessing game.
The portal helps them see what’s possible early enough to make decisions that count.
Creating a Place Where Young People Can Stay
We also talked about something parents feel deeply — the fear that their kids won’t be able to afford to live here after high school.
Chris didn’t dodge the hard truth: housing is a challenge. But he’s working with groups who build quality homes at reasonable prices for the people who serve our community — teachers, nurses, officers, and more.
The hope is simple:
Kids shouldn’t have to leave to build a life.
Good Work That Builds Better Futures
The part that stuck with me most was this:
Chris doesn’t just want kids to pick a job.
He wants them to pick a future they understand — a future they’re actually prepared for.
He wants students to know their gifts.
He wants parents to feel hopeful.
He wants teachers to have tools that make their work easier.
He wants our county to grow in a healthy way.
And he wants young adults — especially the ones who feel lost — to know they still have options.
That’s good work.
That’s the kind of work that changes stories.
And it’s happening right here in Sumner County.