Partnership Board of Directors 2020-2021

• I grew up in England • I love taking macro photos of plants and before moving would sell pieces from time to time • I have 2 different colored eyes

Liz Ahmed Liz joined Unum in October 2018 as executive vice president of people and communications, responsible for human resources, diversity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility and corporate communications. From 2015-2018, Liz served as chief human resources officer at AmTrust Finance Services, a multinational insurance holding company. She previously was vice president of human resources at Equity Trust Company from 2012 to 2015 and senior vice president of human resources at PNC Bank from 2008 to 2012. She also spent 10 years at Marsh USA in human resources leadership positions. Ahmed served on the executive board of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center from 2016 to 2018 and is a past board member of Dress for Success Cleveland. Liz holds a Bachelor degree from the University of Sussex in England, and a Master degree in organizational design and analysis from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Liz joined the Partnership board in 2019. [email protected]

• Early in my career I was a coal buyer for TVA and made many trips deep into underground coal mines to inspect mining operations. • I played high school football and after college played competitive tennis for 30 years and I’m now in my 25th year of playing “fellowship golf” with two holes-in-one to my credit. • I grew up in North Louisiana with my three brothers, all of which were smarter and better behaved Franklin E. Alford than I was. My family dubbed me as least likely to survive because of my bad boy behavior as a kid growing up. I’m still working hard to change that image.

Frank is President/CEO of M B & A Consulting, providing management coaching and consulting services, reviewing and improving business processes which leads to expanded business opportunities for new and existing businesses. Frank retired in 2005 from the Valley Authority as General Manager of Contracts & Materials. His most recent responsibilities included contracting and managing materials for all of TVA’s operating organizations. In this role, he was responsible for all contracting for TVA’s Nuclear, Fossil Power, and Transmission Power Supply groups, representing approximately $1 billion in expenditures annually and managing inventory in excess of $325 million. Frank was with TVA for 34 years with an outstanding background in Procurement and small business assistance. Much of his Procurement experience was oriented toward fossil fuels, nuclear plant and heavy equipment, and corporate purchasing, along with a strong marketing emphasis to assist valley, small, and minority businesses gain access to TVA’s economic market. He served on a number of internal business and process improvement teams, and participated on several state and valley related business initiatives. He worked with most of TVA’s internal customer family during his career, and developed an extensive network of contacts and relationships. Frank also serves on the following boards: TN Valley Federal Credit Union (with over a billion in assets), Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, Retiree Resources Corp, Chambliss Center for Children, Hamilton YMCA, Gamma Pi Boulé Foundation and is a Trustee at Second Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA, in 1969 with a BS in Business. He is married and the father of three adult children, (Kim, Cedric & Winston) and is most proud of his five wonderful grandchildren. His favorite past time is golf. He and his wife Bertha reside in the East Brainerd area. Frank joined the Partnership board for the second time in 2015. [email protected]

• I have two terrific sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren. • Once upon a time, when I was 11 years old, I saved a child from drowning. • My Signal Mountain property has a natural waterfall on it.

Deborah Elwell Arfken is professor emerita of Political Science and Public Service at The at Chattanooga. Her responsibilities at UTC included serving as director of university planning--particularly implementing the University’s 2008- 2013 strategic plan and co-chairing the campus master plan--and as dean of the Graduate School. She taught course in nonprofit management for the MPA program. After retiring from UTC, she served as the interim President and CEO of Siskin Children's Institute for a year. In addition to the Partnership's board, Deborah is a board member with WTCI (PBS station) and the Erlanger Health System Foundation. Deborah joined the Partnership board for the second time in 2016. [email protected]

Carolyn Brock • My husband is Ben…we have two boys…Garrison is in his 2nd year at University of Photo Coming Virginia and Pierce is a freshman at McCallie. Soon • I grew up in Boston and Washington DC. My family still lives in Washington DC and New England. • My husband and I love to travel with our boys. We have traveled all over. Our boys started a foundation called 1Ball1Goal (1Ball1Goal.org) as a result of our trips and it now has become the best of our trips!

Carolyn Brock resides on Lookout Mountain, Tennessee with her husband Ben and two sons (Garrison and Pierce). She has a degree in Finance from Clemson University. In addition, she earned her M.B.A. in 1995 from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She was a financial analyst for Bank of America before deciding to stay home with her sons. Carolyn has served on several boards including T.C. Thompson Children Foundation, St. Nicholas School, and Chambliss Children Center. Carolyn joined the Partnership board in 2017. [email protected]

Chuck Chitty – Bio/photo coming soon!

I enjoy spending time traveling with my husband Rick and spending time with my children, grandchildren and friends!

Janet Dunn Janet Dunn has worked for the YMCA for 33 years. In that time she has worked for Y’s in Findlay, OH; Toledo, OH; YMCA of the USA (serving 27 states as a consultant for operations), Chief Operating Officer for the YMCA of Greater Augusta ; and CEO for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. The YMCA in Chattanooga is a $20-million-dollar nonprofit with eight operating units in the greater Chattanooga area, including Cleveland, North Georgia and Camp Ocoee. The YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga employs 1400 people with a membership of more than 55,000 members. Janet holds a BS degree from Kent State University in Kent, OH. She is the first female CEO in the 147-year history of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga. She is Chair of the board with Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, board member of the Parkridge Health System, Juvenile Court Commission member, Safe Policy Committee member, Executive Committee Board member of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, member of the downtown Chattanooga Rot ary, and Executive Committee member of the YMCA State Alliance of Tennessee. She also serves on the YMCA of the USA’s committees for extended learning and employee benefits. Janet is a published author for the YMCA professional magazine called Perspective and a contributor to the book, “Image Scrimmage” by Dr. Donna Van Natten. Janet is married, has two adult children and three grandchildren. Janet joined the Partnership board in 2016. [email protected]

• As of right now, I have visited 41 states and their capitol buildings. My goal is to visit all of them at some point. • I began writing the Tennessee Governor in the 7th grade requesting copies of the Tennessee state budget. It's no surprise I am in financial management today! • As a past time, I am an avid reader, love to work in the yard, and have two fantastic kids that keep me and my wife both very busy! Tyler Forrest • My wife, kids, and I live in a house that has been in my family for 77 years!

Tyler currently serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). He began his career with the University in 2010 as a financial analyst and has served in a number of financial management roles since then. His current areas of responsibility include budget and financial management, the procurement of goods and services, contractual agreements, asset management, and auxiliary enterprises, which includes parking services, food services, the bookstore, print and mail services, and the student ID card office. Tyler is a two time graduate of the UTC College of Business receiving both a Bachelor's Degree in Finance (2010) and a Master's Degree in Business Administration (2012). He is currently pursuing a Doctorate Degree in Learning and Leadership (PhD). While an undergraduate student at UTC, he had the honor of serving as the Student Government Association President and became a gubernatorial appointed member of the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. An avid community volunteer, he either serves or has served as a member of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Board of Governors, as a member of the University of Tennessee Legislative Advocacy Council, as President of the University of Tennessee Alumni Association Hamilton County Network Board of Directors, as a member, Investment Committee Chair, and Secretary of the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults Board of Directors, as Treasurer of the Chattanooga Regional Science and Engineering Fair, and as Vice-Chair of the McMinn County Library Board. Tyler and his wife, Emily, live in Athens, Tennessee, with their two children, Caroline and Benjamin. They are members of Eastanallee Baptist Church. Tyler joined the Partnership board in 2014 and currently serves as the Board Secretary. [email protected]

Todd Fortner Todd lives in the Chattanooga area with his wife Rebecca. He currently holds the position of President & CEO of the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union. He achieved a BS degree from Tennessee Technological University in 1991. He majored in accounting and is a certified chief executive. Todd is also a dedicated volunteer to community service. He has served as a member of the Partnership’s board of directors since 2008. He served as Treasurer of the board for several years and was board president from 2017-2019. Todd currently serves as immediate Past President. [email protected]

• I am passionate about using excel, solving puzzles and breakout rooms. • Proudly (annoyingly to others) nag people to shut off the water and turn off the lights before leaving. • Tallest woman in my entire extended family to have ever been. My height got my parents worried sick when I was a kid. I love my height though.

Drishti Garg

I work as a Controller for an automotive stamping company called Gestamp. This is the best job I have had so far; I enjoy working with the people I work with. I was born and brought up in India and moved to the United States in 2009 for my undergrad in Finance at University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. My first job after graduation was at a startup in Sacramento, CA. Three years later, I hit a plateau, and began to look for new opportunities. A job offer from Gestamp brought me to this beautiful city of Chattanooga in 2016. Since then I have spent a lot of time exploring the nooks and learning more about the community. The level of commitment and passion of the people here towards their city leave me in awe. This has inspired me to get involved myself. Partnership offers an array of services for the causes that I am passionate about, and I look forward to joining this prestigious organization to give back to my favorite town. Drishti joined the Partnership Board in 2020. [email protected]

Damarise Goehring • I’m married to a homicide investigator with Chattanooga PD and he’s amazing! Photo Coming Soon • I enjoy building things or doing projects around the house in my free time. • I’ve lived out of the United States for a quarter of my life.

I lived in Mozambique, Africa for all of high school with my family, which I believe gave me the passion to work in Law Enforcement. I saw how a country functioned, or did not function, without any sort of justice system in place. There was no such thing as "911" or a Judge. If a crime occurred, you took care of it yourself. It was chaos and you never felt safe. It made me so thankful for Law Enforcement and the Judicial System in our country for sure! The first time I had ever been to Chattanooga was when I first drove here to attend Covenant College and drove through the beautiful city. Of course I fell in love with it and I wanted to stick around. I applied to the Chattanooga Police Department my last semester of College. I graduated in May 2013 and then started in the Police Academy in November 2013. I have loved every minute of it. I have had a passion for protecting especially females and children and wanted to show them that I, as a Police Officer, care about them and want to help them even when it feels like no one else cares. I became an Investigator with the Special Victims Unit in April 2018 and have worked numerous cases since joining the unit. It's certainly emotionally draining, but I would not want to be doing anything else because I want to help these victims find some sort of peace and justice. Damarise joined the Partnership board in 2019. [email protected]

Teresa Groves Teresa lives in the Signal Mountain area. She has experience in leadership, management and real estate. She is educated with an accounting degree. Teresa joined the Partnership board in 2012 and has served as the Treasurer of the board since 2015. She is married to husband Charles. [email protected]

Adam Holland Adam is an attorney practicing in the Chattanooga area at the Duncan Hatcher law firm. He holds a BA from the University of Tennessee and a JD from the University of Tennessee College of Law. He lives in the Signal Mountain area with his wife Genimar. Adam has served on the Partnership board since 2015. [email protected]

John G. Jackson John has lived in Tennessee his whole life, except for when he made the big move to Cincinnati for law school. He holds a JD from the College of Law and a BS degree from the University of Tennessee. He has been a practicing attorney for over 25 years. John’s practice has focused on representing innovators and business producers involved or potentially involved in intellectual property and other commercial litigation in courts throughout the United States. John currently lives in the Chattanooga area with his wife Mary. John joined the Partnership board in 2016. [email protected]

• I have a 7 year old granddaughter, Emma. • I love to run • Our company won one of the largest ever TDOT construction projects-- that will affect people in and around Chattanooga, along with all the people passing by on interstates 75 and 24 for the next 2 years. So basically, our super power is to stop traffic. Sharon Law Tennessee Valley Regional Manager | Thompson Engineering, Inc. Sharon helps make Chattanooga a better place by connecting people. Her never-met-a-stranger attitude and her love for her city create win-win situations. This is most apparent in her job with Thompson Engineering. Sharon connects clients who need engineering solutions with the experts she works with every day. Sharon relies on faith, family, and long runs to help her put things in perspective. Sharon is always on the go and serves many groups, from the Chattanooga Chamber Public Policy Committee to the Community Advisory Board for Tennessee American Water, just to name a few. She is a graduate of Leadership Chattanooga, IntroKnox, Holmberg Arts Leadership Institute and a member of the Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute, & Scenic City Women’s Network. Sharon has two sons, Caleb and Jacob, and one granddaughter, Emma. She was recently married to husband Jon Law. Sharon joined the Partnership board in 2019. [email protected]

• I have a beautiful granddaughter, Evelyn Page Johnson who lets me be her reading buddy. • My position in the White House during the 2nd term for President Carter was torched by a fellow from California. • Bicycling and swimming rival my favorite hobby – enjoying any game on the court, diamond or football field of the Vanderbilt Commodores.

Andrew McGill Andrew is a native of Louisville, Kentucky but he has lived in the Chattanooga area for many years. He has been in the healthcare field for twenty-five years. He has experience in corporate leadership and holds a position as Senior Vice President of Strategy, Business Development and Government Relations for CHI Memorial Health Care System. He received a BA Degree from and a MPA from the . Andrew has served on the Partnership board since 2012 and was elected as Board President in 2019. [email protected]

• I have served on 16 Boards in the last 24 years. • First and only Hispanic ever elected to City Council. • Was a welder before I started working in the monument industry.

Manny Rico Manny has been the owner of Rico Monuments for 30 years. He has expertise in business management. He previously served 8 years on Chattanooga’s City Council and on numerous other boards in the Chattanooga area. He was born and raised in Garland, Texas, moved to Chattanooga in 1970 and currently resides in the St. Elmo area with his wife Barbara. Manny joined the Partnership board in 2016. [email protected]

• I met my wife in Germany who is from Chattanooga, I was in the Army there and she was there teaching. • Toured Turkey recently. • Served under three Mayors in the County.

Dan Saieed Dan has worked for Hamilton County Government for 40 years and is currently the Director of Development. He Lives on Signal Mountain with his wife Karen. Dan has experience in Management, Non-Profit Board Leaderships, Grants, and Intergovernmental relations. He holds a B.A. Degree in Political Science from the University of North Carolina and a M.S. Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Dan has received several honors and serves on several boards. Dan joined the Partnership board in 2013 and currently serves as the Vice President. [email protected]

Nick Spinelli - Bio coming soon!

• While I am divorced and have no children of my own, with my work at UTC it now feels like I have 80 children I’m in charge of. • I am an avid skier, and a try to make at least one ski trip out west each winter. • I enjoy bicycling and have a fan of pro cycling since Greg Lemond’s Tour de France victory in 1989. My dream sports writing assignment would be to cover the Tour de France. Jim Tanner

Jim is a Chattanooga-area native, having grown up in Ringgold, Georgia, and attended school in Chattanooga. He graduated from McCallie School and earned a two-year degree from Oxford College at Emory University before returning home to complete his Bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1996 and earning his Master of Communication Management from the Annenberg School of Communications and Journalism at the University of Southern California in 2018. Jim spent 15 years as a full-time journalist first at the Dalton Daily Citizen followed by a 14-year career at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, starting as a copy editor and page designer and spending eight years as Assistant Sports Editor. He has written on a variety of topics for the newspaper from basketball to bicycling as well as freelance writing for magazines. In 2015, he won first and third place in the Tennessee Associated Press Excellence in Journalism awards for best Sports and Outdoors writing of the year. He also has been honored with a Golden Press Card Award by the East Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2015, Jim took a position in the Communications and Marketing office at McCallie School, eventually rising to the role of Deputy Director of Communications and Marketing, focusing on media relations, magazine writing, social media and promotions for the school. In the fall of 2019, after three years of evening adjunct teaching, Jim accepted a full-time faculty appointment in the Department of Communications at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, teaching media writing and publication design at the undergraduate level. He also continues to do freelance writing and his byline can be seen in the Times Free Press and other publications. Jim lives in the Ferger Place community near Highland Park, where he has owned a home since 1997. Jim joined the Partnership Board in 2019.