ACE is pleased to announce that Tim K. Griffis, CFA, has joined the organization as chief operating officer. In this new role, Griffis will support ACE President and CEO Grace Fricks with the nonprofit’s strategic initiatives and oversee the ongoing operations of its finance and credit divisions. Griffis brings more than 25 years of financial services experience to the position and has held various executive roles in commercial, consumer and business banking.
“Tim is committed to furthering ACE’s mission, and we look forward to having him steer ACE’s aggressive growth strategy with his proven execution skills,” said Fricks. “His six years of service with ACE — as a director of the governing board and chair of the board’s loan committee — will make his transition to our executive team seamless.”
ACE works tirelessly within the community to promote job growth and retention by helping underserved small-business owners create and grow strong, sustainable businesses. ACE specializes in assisting small-business owners of color, women, and low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs who lack adequate access to financing across Metro Atlanta and rural North Georgia. Since 2000, ACE has loaned $60 million to more than 900 entrepreneurs, who have created or saved more than 7,700 Georgia jobs. The hallmark of ACE’s service is its combination of capital, coaching and connections.
“I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact ACE has on underserved entrepreneurs who previously didn’t have full access to capital or, in many cases, financial management experience to build their businesses,” said Griffis. “Furthermore, I believe entrepreneurial education and capital access are critical elements to addressing income inequality and economic development challenges throughout communities in Georgia.”
Prior to joining ACE, Griffis most recently served as senior vice president of commercial banking for Synovus Bank in the Atlanta region. Previously, he worked as branch business director for the Georgia-South Carolina area of Regions Bank, where he developed a strategy for the bank to work successfully with small-business owners.
In addition to his professional roles, Griffis is proud to serve in the community. He has participated in various civic and volunteer roles in organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, United Way, Boys and Girls Club, and multiple Chamber of Commerce organizations. He is also a member of the Atlanta Society of Finance and Investment Professionals.
Griffis earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance from Georgia Southern University, and he holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Griffis is a native Georgian and has worked all over Georgia, including Macon, Savannah, Valdosta and now the Atlanta area.