Blake Absher, Chair, 2012 AYC President
Blake Absher is a Vice President and Business Services Officer for Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T). Blake joined BB&T, formerly Colonial Bank in July, 2007 where he served as the Austin Market Manager overseeing the overall direction and performance of all retail banking centers in the greater Austin area. His most current role as a Business Services Officer, allows Blake to work more closely with his clients, helping advise businesses on ways to reach financial success. He focuses particularly on the lending needs of his clients, as well as risk management, employee benefits, cash management and personal banking needs.
Prior to joining BB&T, Blake served as the Retail Sales Manager for IBC Bank in Austin, where under his leadership and guidance IBC’s Austin market opened 10 new branches in an 18 month period. Blake was promoted to Bank Officer in 2006 and at the age of 24 years old, Blake was one of the youngest bank officers in IBC Bank’s entire footprint. When he wasn’t helping open new branches, Blake was also appointed as a member of the Corporate Sales Council for IBC, where he helped shape the overall direction and strategies for the company with corporate executives from the other IBC Markets.
Blake graduated from Texas State University – San Marcos, TX in 2004 with a BBA in Management. Blake went on to earn his MBA from Texas State in 2007. Blake serves as Chair of the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce’s Community Committee, and also serves on the St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic School Advisory Board, is a member of the Young Men’s Business League, and is proud to serve as a Big Brother in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Central Texas as well as an active participant at Lake Hills Church.
A.J. Bingham – Fundraising
A.J. Bingham has called Austin home for over 20 years since moving here from Germany with his family in 1991 to then Bergstrom Air Force Base.
Mr. Bingham graduated in 2001 from the Math and Science Academy (now Liberal Arts and Science Academy) at Lyndon Baines Johnson High School. He went on to earn his B.A. in Political Science at Wake Forest University in 2004 and his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in 2008.
Since returning to Austin following law school he has been progressively active in the community. Mr. Bingham currently holds membership in several organizations including the Wake Forest University Alumni Association, Urban League Young Professionals, Seton Forum, and Club Red. He is also a news and events contributor to Austinist (an award-winning news & culture website. Beyond the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce he serves on the board of directors for the Young Men’s Business League of Austin and Goodwill Staffing Services. He is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Austin’s Emerge Program.
Mr. Bingham currently serves a legislative aide and registered lobbyist with McWilliams Governmental Affairs Consultants, an full-service government affairs firm based in Austin. Prior to joining the firm in June 2011 he gained legislative experience working in both the Texas House and Senate.
Fun Fact: Mr. Bingham is a 2011 Glossy 8 Stylemaker award recipient.
Tommy Belton – Chair, FAVE Awards Committee
Tommy Belton is a group sales manager at the Driskill Hotel. His focus is bringing corporate meetings and events to the hotel primarily in the markets of Entertainment, Food and Beverage, Sports, Automotive and Transportation, Social, and Manufacturing. He has experienced great success in his position with The Driskill achieving chairman’s club status by booking in excess of $1.2 million dollars in a single booking year.
Tommy graduated from Austin High School and attended Texas State University before relocating for a business opportunity in 2005. Tommy earned a BBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix, and is currently attending graduate school working toward his MBA.
Tommy serves as chair of the Austin Young Chamber FAVE Awards committee, recognizing local businesses for their contributions to the Austin community. He is a member of Young Men’s Business League, and volunteers annually in the Special Olympics of Texas winter games.
Jodi Fernandez – Chair, Imagine Committee
Jodi Fernandez is the owner of Silver Cake Studio, a business established in 2011 to allow her creative freedom in designing custom cakes tailored to clients’ needs. During the last 3 years, Jodi began baking and decorating cakes for friends and family as a hobby and decided to evolve her hobby into her career. As a cake artist, Jodi specializes in contemporary and shaped cakes, covered in fondant and relishes the challenges of merging a client’s vision with her own style and flair.
Jodi’s artistic background and skill with client interaction was developed during 9 years as the gallery director of ART on 5th, one of Austin’s premier contemporary galleries. Beginning her career an in intern while attending the University of Texas, Jodi moved into the director position within 2 years and became responsible for sales, artist coordination, and organized exhibitions with sales totaling between $100,000 and $250,000 for artists such as Peter Max, Dr. Seuss, Grace Slick, and Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. Event preparation included coordinating selection, receipt and installation of selected artwork, designing printed materials, website and newsletter communication, outreach to local media, resulting in multiple live TV appearances, hundreds of attendees and tens of thousands in sales at each opening event. In 2009, she also helped to successfully open and promote a partner store, The Art of Jewelry, showcasing artisan jewelry.
Jodi received a BA in Art History from the University of Texas in 2003, graduating magna cum laude and joining Phi Beta Kappa. She was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, attended high school at a boarding school in Delaware, but now calls Austin her home and shares it with most of her immediate family and husband.
Jodi has been a member of AYC since August of 2010 and has served as vice-Chair of the Imagine committee of AYC since fall of 2010.
Michelle Graham – PR & Marketing
Michelle began her career in the financial services industry, after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Notre Dame (where she also played volleyball for the Fighting Irish). During her time at Merrill Lynch, Michelle managed over $140 million in assets, growing the practice significantly in a challenging market, while stabilizing revenue from 34 percent to 72 percent recurring. This experience led her to a job creating the grassroots marketing and business strategies for an Austin-based computer start-up company. Michelle then went onto become the marketing and events head for one of Austin’s best-known retail businesses. Now, as the founder and CEO of Bounce, Michelle consults on and manages marketing campaigns, public relations strategies, brand development and events for a variety of clients.
Nathan B Green – Chair, Apprentice Austin & AYC Founder
Nathan B Green is an experienced business operator, management consultant, and entrepreneur. Over the past ten years he has held executive positions at Pearson, The Everest Group, Bloomberg, and Accenture and worked with clients such as Blockbuster, Sharp Electronics, Verizon, Bank of America, and the New York City Department of Education.
Currently, Nathan is co-founder and President of campus2careers.com, an online community where college students and small and medium-sized businesses connect for internships, entry level jobs, and more. Running the business as a bootstrap, Nathan is responsible for all sales, marketing, and channel activities.
Prior to campus2careers, Nathan was General Manager of Pearson’s Talent Assessment business and a $17M global P&L. As GM, Nathan was responsible for the worldwide development and delivery of career, selection, development, and personality assessments. Under Nathan’s leadership, the Talent Assessment business grew double digits each year and moved to an online delivery model. Nathan was one of the youngest executives while at Pearson, the largest Education and Publishing company in the world.
Nathan holds a bachelor of sciences degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, where he graduated with honors early. Nathan is a founding Board Member of the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce and an Advisory Board member for ContractSpot.com, OpenSesa.me and Transform, LLC. He recently moved from NYC to Austin, TX to run campus2careers.com.
John King – Chair, Energy & Sustainability Committee
John King is the Senior Associate with Austin-based public affairs firm Focused Advocacy, which specializes in communications and government affairs. Among his many responsibilities at Focused Advocacy, John developed the Intern and Associate Program and serves as the program’s Director. The program provides students and recent college graduates with an unparalleled experience in government affairs while emphasizing leadership and professional development. In addition, he works closely with the firm’s partners on business development projects, policy analysis, legislative affairs, marketing and media, and client relations.
John came to Focused Advocacy after working with Green DMV in Washington, D.C., a non-profit organization focused on green jobs training and advocacy outreach, aimed at educating low-income communities about sustainable living. As a policy associate, he coordinated lobbying efforts with Senate offices on behalf of the Climate Equity Alliance and represented Green DMV in their communication efforts with national grassroots campaigns.
John’s policy experience began while attending Rhodes College in Memphis, TN. In 2008, he worked with the West Tennessee Clean Cities Coalition, assisting the group with their contributions to city, county, and state energy and environmental policies.
In addition to his various activities at Rhodes College, which included football, mock trial, and tutoring in underprivileged school districts, John founded and chaired one of the college’s influential student groups, Green Rhodes. As Chairman, he oversaw all advocacy and educational campaigns and successfully brought the issue of campus sustainability to every corner of the college, from the student newspaper to the President’s Office. While serving as Chairman, he met with the area’s elected officials in Washington, D.C. to lobby for support of clean energy and environmental policy. John graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies from Rhodes College.
A native Austinite, John currently serves as Chairman of AYC’s Energy and Sustainability Committee, which focuses on the energy industry in Central Texas. The Committee’s main goal is to educate and connect AYC members with the companies, leaders, opportunities, and issues most relevant to Austin’s Energy Economy. John has been a member of AYC since January 2010 and has served on the Board of Directors since May 2011. The partners of Focused Advocacy encourage civic leadership among all employees, associates, and interns, and actively support John’s role at the Young Chamber.
Gordon Moore - Chair, Government Relations
Gordon Moore is an account executive with Public Strategies, Inc. where he provides on-site public affairs consulting to a Fortune 50 global telecommunications leader. In his role, Mr. Moore develops the internal and external communication strategy for the client’s citizenship and sustainability initiatives throughout 22 western states. Prior to his current role, Mr. Moore provided media intelligence support for a variety of clients, including a top global private equity firm.
A native Austinite, Gordon received his BA in Government with a minor in Business from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Moore also serves on the board of directors for the Young Men’s Business League and is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Austin’s Emerge Program.
Jonathan Peters, Chair, AYC Poker Tournament Committee
Jonathan Peters has lived in Austin for six years and has worked in a business development and sales role in the financial services and construction industries. He specializes in prospecting, developing, and maintaining client relationships. Jonathan is currently the director of business development for the Texas Market for Southern Pan Services and a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors. He is also a partner at a real estate investment company in his home state of Louisiana. Jonathan received a BBA in Marketing and Real Estate from Ole Miss in 2005 and graduated with honors with an MBA in Entrepreneurship Management from St. Edward’s University here in Austin in 2010.
Jonathan has been a member of the AYC for two years and is in charge of the annual AYC Poker night, one of AYC’s biggest organizational fundraisers. He is also a member of the Austin Ole Miss Alumni club and he serves on the board of directors for the Young Men’s Business League of Austin, where he serves as chairman of the annual golf tournament.
Colin Pope – Education/Speaker Series
Colin Pope is editor of the Austin Business Journal. As editor, he steers the publication’s content and newsroom to produce world-class news that is consumed by tens of thousands of readers every day — most of which are C-level executives, civic and political leader who demand very much.
His mixture of experience as a journalist, business and public relations expert — underscored by a passion to sustain and build upon everything that makes Austin so great — has allowed him to excel in his field.
Colin has lived in Austin for more than 25 years, and that time and his fondness of the city has made him one of its greatest advocates. He has a rare and refreshing knowledge of everything that is Austin and he is often tapped by radio and television talk/news shows as a result. He is a founding member of the annual RISE event, donates time to UT’s School of Journalism, ACC and the United Way, he is a founding board member of the Austin Young Chamber of Commerce and is a regular contributor to Fox News and YNN. He graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in journalism.
Ali Putnam – Chair, Tailgate Committee
Ali Putnam currently works as Media and Community Relations Manager for Circuit of the Americas, the purpose-built Formula 1 facility in Austin, Texas. Ali manages public relations for the Circuit, works directly with the media and maintains relationships with the local community and nonprofit groups. She has been involved in the PR and political aspects of the project since its announcement in the Spring of 2010.
Prior to working for Circuit of the Americas, Ali worked for a local political consulting firm 3 Point Partners as an account executive. She gained experience working with clients ranging from local nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies to achieve their communication goals and navigate the local political climate.
Ali has enjoyed being involved in local mentoring programs, including Austin Partners in Education and Troop 1500, which led her to serve as Co-Chair of the AYC Community Committee. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Texas.
Jonny Rodgers – Ambassador Committee Chair & Founder
Jonny Rodgers is an Austin native, who attended Westlake High School and is a Partner Agent with Den Property Group. Mr. Rodgers earned his B.A. Degree in Communications at Texas Christian University with honors in 2001. He was member of both Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Pi Chi (the communications honor society).
Mr. Rodgers is a member of the Real Estate Council of Austin, where he was appointed to the Leadership Development Class in 2007 and served on the Steering Committee in 2008. Mr. Rodgers also serves on the Board of the Young Mens Business League and The Texas Christian University Austin Alumni Association. An active philanthropist, Jonny is also involved with The Young Texans Against Cancer, The Alzheimer’s Association of Central Texas, Emerging Professionals In Conservation, as well as a volunteer coach for the Westlake High School 7 on 7 Football program for the past 5 years.
Lindsey Tyner – Website & Branding
Lindsey is the owner and founder of Alt Creative. Her responsibilities include client relations, business development, and lead design & development.
Lindsey has been active in the Austin web development industry for over a decade. After graduating from the University of Texas with a Radio-Television-Film degree, she found web development to be a natural outlet for her creative and technical skills. Following a successful career in marketing and development, she launched her own web development company (formerly ATX Multimedia, now known as Alt Creative), in 2005.
Lindsey is a skilled designer and experienced developer. Her background in User Interface design is responsible for her ability to create user friendly web experiences for a variety of industries. She has worked with a wide range of clients, including small businesses, software companies, ad agencies, musicians and artists.
Lindsey is actively involved with the Greater Austin Chamber, the Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence Organization, the International Webmasters Association/HTML Writers Guild, and the National Association of Photoshop Users.
Chelsea Woodhead – Chair, Community Committee
Chelsea Woodhead is the Giving Manager for BuildASign.com where she works with hundreds of non-profits around the country and manages all organizational philanthropic efforts. Professionally, Chelsea has been dedicated to serving the public sector through work with non-profits, city government, elected officials and also in a community relations role for a technology company.
As a passionate community advocate, Chelsea volunteers and supports several non-profits in the Austin area and enjoys helping others find meaningful ways to give back. She currently serves of the Board of Directors for Austin Pro Bono, a non-profit dedicated to connecting skills based volunteers with non-profits in need of pro bono services and also on the Board of Directors for the Austin Young Chamber and leads the Community Committee.
Chelsea was born and raised in Spokane, WA and graduated from Gonzaga University with degrees in Public Relations, Political Science and Women’s Studies. She moved to Austin in 2007 with her husband, Dustin, and enjoys playing sports and taking full advantage of all Austin has to offer. Together they own ATX Sports & Adventures, an adult sports and recreation company, and they are proud parents to a Townlake rescue, Riley.
Edward Kargbo – Past President / 2011 AYC President
Edward (Ed) Kargbo is the General Manager of Greater Austin Transportation Company dba Yellow Cab. He is a 2002 graduate of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A two-sport star as an undergraduate, he captained the Demon Deacon football team and also played on the basketball team. Ed represented the athletics department on the University’s Student Advisory Council and represented the University at the 2001 NCAA Foundation Leadership Conference in Florida. He volunteered in the local community through the Athletes Care Team (ACT), tutoring and mentoring students in local schools, while maintaining a solid standing in the class room as demonstrated by consistent appearances on the deans’ list and Atlantic Coast Conference Honor roll.
Ed pursued and was employed in professional athletics in his first few years post- graduation. He has since moved on to work in sales, politics and business management. Ed has been employed in the transportation business for the last 5 years, beginning his career in Houston and relocating in November 2006 to take his current position with Yellow Cab here in Austin. Outside of work, Ed volunteers in the community at large through various roles as a member of The Young Men’s Business League (YMBL), Habitat Young Professionals (HYP), The Wake Forest University Alumni Association and is a 2008 graduate of Leadership Austin’s Emerge Program.
Ed volunteers as a coach for youth athletics and created a program which “adopted” a middle school in Houston’s Independent School District; providing tutoring, mentoring, educational equipment and exposure to the world at large to at risk youth. Ed has run the Austin-Half Marathon is an ardent supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and participates each year in the JDRF charity races. Ed is engaged to be wed and excited about starting a family in the great city of Austin.
Legal Representation:
The Chouefati Law Firm, LLC
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