ABOUT ACE

ACE was founded on a strong vision to provide access to capital for those hard working, committed and persistent individuals who have a dream to own and operate a small business.

Our mission at ACE is to provide hope and opportunity for people to create financial freedom for themselves. We do this by providing small business loans, financial education programs, coaching and connections so that people can fulfill their dreams, create economic security for their families and contribute to their communities.

ACE Team

ACE is powered by this management and operational team.

	GRACE FRICKS, President and CEO, MBA Grace Fricks is the founder and CEO of Appalachian Community Enterprises (ACE), a North Georgia non-profit corporation and Community Development Financial Institution that provides loans and expertise to build small businesses. Since 1999, Ace has provided $3.5 million in small business loans that created or retained 400 jobs. Most recently, ACE founded Georgia Green Loans, www.georgiagreenloans.org, a statewide partnership program providing loans to help small businesses green-ovate. Grace currently serves on the national governing board of directors for the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO). As a small business owner for more than 10 years, she also serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Women Business Owners or NAWBO-Atlanta chapter. Formerly, Grace served on the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network’s (GMEN) board of directors,on the board of White County Rotary, and on the board of trustees for North Georgia Technical College. Grace was the 2005 recipient of the Founders Award for Georgia Micro Enterprise Network, and was the 2004 Advocate of the Year from the Governor’s Council on Developmental Disabilities. Grace and her husband Larry live on the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest with their three dogs and five cats.
	HOLLY HUNT, CFO Ms. Hunt is a native of Atlanta and holds a degree in Accounting from North Georgia College and State University.  She is also a graduate of the Institute of Financial Education's School of Executive Development at the University of Georgia and the Bank Director's College at Community Bankers Association.  Ms. Hunt enjoyed 22 years in the banking industry before leaving to pursue other interests in May of 2006.  Most recently, she served as Chief Financial Officer of the Citizens Bank of Forsyth County in Cumming, Georgia, organizing Chief Financial Officer of The National Bank of Gainesville, organizing Chief Financial Officer of Peach State Bank in Gainesville, and organizing Chief Financial Officer of Jefferson State Bank in Cumming. In addition to working with ACE, Ms. Hunt now volunteers as an organizer/board member for Stepping Stone Farm, Cleveland, Georgia, and serves on the Board of Directors for CASA's Enotah District
	SANDY HEADLEY, Vice President of Lending With more than 20 years of banking experience, Ms. Headley’s role at ACE is to oversee lending operations. In her time at ACE, Ms. Headley has grown its portfolio from $2 million to $3.5 million thus creating or retaining 400 jobs. She has helped develop and implement Georgia Green Loans, www.georgiagreenloans.org, and expanded its service area into metro Atlanta. Her past banking experience includes working as a mortgage originator, mortgage processor/closer as well as Assistant Vice President of loan recovery at a national bank. This included liquidation of business inventory, recovery of accounts receivables, workouts securing mortgages, professional mediation, liquidation of personal properties and extensive legal involvement. Ms. Headley has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida. Her volunteer work includes Kiwanis, March of Dimes and the Forsyth County School System. She currently resides in Cumming with her husband Dave, two daughters, Samantha and Shelby, and their two rescue dogs.
	ELIZABETH PENNEY, Director of Community Outreach, MBA With fifteen years experience working in business and economic development, Ms. Penney’s role at ACE is to build strong programs linking entrepreneurs, interns, mentors and the community. Functions include business needs assessment, intern and mentor training, and communications. Her experience includes ten years at the NH Small Business Development Center, where she consulted with small businesses, created educational and promotional materials, and assisted with management and strategic planning. She also served on the Association of Small Business Development Centers’ national needs assessment committee. Other professional experience includes working as Assistant VP of Commercial Loans for Northway Bank, Berlin, NH; and as Controller and Business Development Specialist for North Country Council, Inc, Bethlehem, NH.
	MATT RYDER, Vice President of Programs Matt Ryder became enamored with ACE's unique social value as a business school student. The organization that he co-founded, the Emory Community Consulting Organization, hosted a consulting case competition with ACE as "the client". That case competition focused on the development of ACE's Georgia Green Loans program. Shortly after graduating, Matt joined ACE's Green Advisory Council and in 2010 became VP of Programs. In this role, Matt supports green entrepreneurs and eco-friendly small businesses with technical assistance and low-interest capital. He believes wholeheartedly that the triple bottom line value proposition (people, planet, profit) is the future of business. Matt has 9 years of experience in the management consulting industry. He holds an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University and an MBA degree from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
	Jace Brewer, North Georgia Loan Officer 706-348-6609 ext 207 brewer@aceloans.org
	John Lawson, North Georgia Loan Officer 706-348-6609 ext 206 lawson@aceloans.org
	Lisa Robinson, Metro Atlanta Loan Officer 404-797-7769 gogreen@aceloans.org
	Ronnie Witcher, Athens Loan Officer 706-892-5440 witcher@aceloans.org
	Paige Dorsey, Loan Operations Assistant 706-348-6609 ext. 202 dorsey@aceloans.org
	Candace Thomas, Executive Assistant 706-348-6609 ext. 201 thomas@aceloans.org