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Tech 2020 Names Chattanooga Office Manager
 11/13/2001Also announces community referral sites Conveniently located throughout the City
Chattanooga, TN—Tech 2020, the venture capital firm recruited to Chattanooga by Mayor Corker, announced today that Ralph Woodard of Nashville, Tennessee will head up local operations in Chattanooga starting full time on Wednesday, November 12, 2001. Mayor Bob Corker said, “We are very excited that the local Tech 2020 office is up and running. Since announcing this important component of our agenda, we have received numerous inquiries from people interested in applying for loans or venture capital. I’m very pleased that Mr. Woodard’s is now in our community, charged with stimulating business growth… which will ultimately mean more jobs and higher wages for families in Chattanooga.” Mr. Woodard was named Assistant Fund Manager with Tech 2020 Finance Corporation (TFC) with the responsibility of managing the Chattanooga office’s lending and investment activities. TFC offers a variety of debt and equity-based options to eligible small businesses throughout the state of Tennessee. Mr. Woodard will be working with area residents who are interested in applying for any of the products offered through Tech 2020’s nearly $50 million portfolio, which is available to businesses state-wide. Additionally, as part of his duties with TFC, Mr. Woodard will work with prospects interested in applying for loans under the $1.5 million Chattanooga Opportunity Fund established by the City of Chattanooga for investment in locally owned start up and existing small businesses. A loan investment committee comprised of five area residents will make the decisions on which loans to fund from the City’s money. Mr. Woodard will assist in the processing and application of these loans for the committee. The appointment of the investment committee is expected to be announced very soon by Mayor Corker. The purpose of the Chattanooga Opportunity Fund is to provide access to capital for small businesses and minority owned companies, which creates business growth and economic opportunities for residents of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. Additional local contributions for the Chattanooga Opportunity Fund are expected to be raised over time. Most recently, Ralph served in several executive and management positions including Corporate Controller, AVP of Financial Reporting and Manager of Internal Audit for Willis Coroon in Nashville, Tennessee. During his 9 year tenure with Willis, he developed many of the management and business decision making skills he brings to TFC. Prior to his work at Willis, he spent three years as an auditor at Arthur Andersen, a “Big 5” accounting firm, where he obtained his Certified Public Account (CPA) designation. Ralph has a Bachelors of Science degree from Auburn University in accounting. He completed his MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen School of Management graduating 4th in his class and being inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma. His wife Kelley is originally from Chattanooga and the family is looking forward to moving back to the City. As part of the City’s interest in creating broad access to Tech 2020’s capital and funding sources, Tech 2020 has announced a broad network of service firms, commercial lenders and community organizations across the community who will serve as “Community Information Partners” or referral sources. In addition to its local office, people interested in getting information about Tech 2020 or applying for funding may visit or talk with the contacts listed at any of the following locations: Bethlehem Credit Union Contact: Roderick Morton Phone: 266 - 2098 200 W. 38th St. Chattanooga (37405)
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) Contact: Caroline Bentley 756-6222 1301 Market St. Chattanooga, TN 37402
Chattanooga African American Chamber Contact: Sherrie Gilchrist or Barry Jones 265-0021 1001 Market St., Suite 150 Chattanooga (37402)
Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Main Office Contact: Jeff Olingy 756- 2121 Business Development Ctr. Contact: Tim Andrews 752- 4301 1001 Market St. Chattanooga (37402)
Inner City Development Corporation Contact: Joyce Smith 267- 5405 801 ½ Central Ave. Chattanooga (37403)
Koinonia Credit Union Contact: Eric Waldon 629 - 5400 2319 E. 3rd St. Chattanooga (37404)
Minority Empowerment Council (MEC) Contact: Will Smith 266-9905 850 Market St. Chattanooga (37402)
SE Local Development Corporation Contact: David Jones 266-5781 535 Chestnut St. Chattanooga (37402)
SE Women’s Business Center Contact: Holly Petch 266- 5781 535 Chestnut St., 3rd floor Chattanooga (37402)
28th Community Development Corp. Contact: Forestine Watson-Haynes 698 - 8190 815 North Hickory St. Chattanooga (37405)
TVA Contact: Mike Stitt or Sheila Brooks 697-2960 or 697-2959 1101 Market Street PSC 2J Chattanooga, TN 37402
Urban League of Greater Chattanooga Contact: Warren Logan 756 - 1762 Central City Complex 730 MLK Blvd. Chattanooga (37403)
Westside Community Development Corp. Contact: Cheryl Key 266- 6510 1200 Grove Street, Suite 205 Chattanooga (37402)
Others- Hispanic Community Contact: Molly Flores 875 - 5357
To Be Added Soon: Bushtown Neighborhood Assoc. Highland Park Neighborhood Assoc. MLK Neighborhood Assoc. Southside Historic District
Decosimo Consulting Contact: Chris Rowe 756- 7100 1100 Tallan Bldg. Chattanooga (37402)
(The) Jumper Group Contact: Jay Jumper 267- 7005 1 Union Square, Suite 505 Chattanooga (37402)
Miller & Martin Contact: Hugh Sharber or Matt Huggins 785 – 8212 or 785- 8306 835 Georgia Avenue 1000 Volunteer Bldg. Chattanooga (37402)
Rivercity Company Contact: Ann Coulter 265- 3015 x 17 835 Georgia Avenue Suite 800 Chattanooga, TN 37402
Valley Capital Corporation Contact: Lamar Partridge 212 Krystal Bldg. 100 W. MLK Blvd. Chattanooga (37402)
Hazlett, Lewis & Bieter,PLLC Contact: John Coxwell 785 - 1340 Market Court, Suite 300 537 Market St. Chattanooga (37402)
UltraGroup Ventures, LLC Contact: Jim Coleman or Cole Powell 265- 5110 408 Broad St. Chattanooga 37402
Small Business Development Center Chattanooga State Contact: Craig Harston 752 - 1724 100 Cherokee Blvd. Suite 202 Chattanooga (37405)
Chalmers Center for Economic Development Covenant College Contact: Steve Nikkel (706) 419- 1803 14049 Scenic Highway Lookout Mt., GA (30750) For more information, contact Todd Womack, Communications Director, at 423-757-5168
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