BrightBridge Capital has added Preston Way to its community development financial institution loan fund.
Way began his career as a consumer finance intern for Regions Bank in Birmingham. He later worked at a startup financial technology company that was privately owned by Goldman Sachs, where he held Series 7 and 63 licenses (required for individuals who market and sell investments or securities) while also obtaining his accident, life, health and variable life insurance licenses. Way focused on selling alternative investments, such as structured products and annuities, to financial advisers.
Way is a graduate of The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where he majored in finance and obtained an MBA. He was part of UTC’s Student Managed Investment Learning Experience. He credits the program with accelerating his passion for finance and investing.
Community Foundation adds director of people, culture
The Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga has tapped Emily Allen Murphy to serve as its first director of people and culture.
Murphy will lead the organization’s human resources, talent and culture functions. Murphy’s prior experience includes roles in employee relations and human resources at several local corporations.
Murphy holds a degree in psychology from Georgia Southern University and a Master of Science in managerial sciences with a human resources concentration from Georgia State University. A resident of the Chattanooga area since 2017, she resides in Red Bank.
Kelly selected for State Department panel
Mayor Tim Kelly will serve on the Department of State’s inaugural Assembly of Local Leaders, a group of mayors, governors and other municipal leaders who will gather to discuss and inform federal officials on matters affecting local governments.
Kelly will serve on the 2024-26 cohort, which will launch in January.
Kelly points to Volkswagen, Komatsu, Wacker Polysilicon, Nippon Paint, Sanofi, Gestamp and other foreign investments in the Scenic City as evidence that strategic international engagement has paid enormous dividends for the Chattanooga region.
“Chattanooga is a globally competitive city, and Tennessee is one of the top states in the U.S. for foreign direct investment, so I’m honored to be selected for this role,” Kelly says.
“I’m looking forward to learning how other cities have been able to build international relations to help build a better Chattanooga.
“I’m also looking forward to serving alongside some of our country’s leading local leaders to help make sure Chattanooga’s priorities are reflected in our foreign policy.”