Co-Chairperson
Scott Springfield
E-mail: scott.springfield@fjcatlanta.org

Scott is currently earning his MBA at Emory University. Previously, he worked at MedAssets as a Financial Consultant for hospitals across the country. 

Scott graduated in 2005 from Georgia Tech, with a degree in Management. 
He has been involved with FJC since January of 2008. He enjoys having the opportunity to meet and work with new and interesting people his age and plan fun social events that benefit a great cause.

He is also a member of a similar group that benefits the Shepherd Center, and occasionally volunteers with the Atlanta Dog Squad, a rescue and adoption agency for Labs and Retrievers.

Scott enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and fishing.  He likes to work out and stay physically active. He is an avid cook, and tries to do so as often as possible in his spare time. He also loves to travel, especially internationally.

Co-Chairperson
Audrey Merkel
E-mail: audrey.merkel@fjcatlanta.org

Audrey works at KPMG LLP where she is responsible for marketing and new business development, with a focus on the technology, communications and media industries.

As an alumnus of the University of Georgia, she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in public relations. Audrey’s college career involvement included a position as treasurer for the Public Relations Student Society of America board, Communications Chair for Alpha Chi Omega and mentoring students at Oglethorpe County Primary school.

Audrey joined FJC in 2008 where she has enjoyed supporting the Marketing, Party Atlanta and Cheers committees. As Co-Chairperson, she is incredibly proud to be working with an amazing group of young professionals towards their common goal of supporting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

She is a native of Atlanta and in her free time, enjoys walks with her dog, attending UGA football games, meeting new people and living in Brookhaven. 

Corporate Sponsor Chair
Christopher Godfrey
E-mail: christopher.godfrey@fjcatlanta.org

Christopher Godfrey graduated from Washington & Lee University in 2006 with a degree in economics.  Following graduation, Christopher moved to New Orleans to work for Pritchard Capital as Institutional Equity Sales and Trading analyst.  After his time at Pritchard, her worked at Regions Business Capital in Atlanta, specializing in Asset-Based Lending.  Christopher is currently pursuing his MBA at the Goizueta Business School.

Christopher joined the FJC in 2008 and initially participated in planning Cheers for Children.  After this experience, he took a position as Vice-Chair of the Corporate Sponsorship committee and has enjoyed working closely with Atlanta businesses to support the FJC. Christopher is excited about growing the FJC name within the Atlanta business community in 2012.  

Special Events Chair
Kathy Ortstadt
E-mail: kathy.ortstadt@fjcatlanta.org

Kathy joined Friends Junior Committee as a Party Atlanta committee member in 2009. In 2010, she transitioned to the role of Signature Events Vice-Chair.

Kathy works as a Client Services Associate at Care Solutions, Inc., a management and consulting firm that specializes in working with human services clients in the public, private, and non-profit sector. Additionally, Kathy also has responsibilities as the Training Manager for the company's, professional development division, ProSolutions Training. Kathy is also the volunteer project coordinator for the Christmas Stocking Program, a non-profit fundraising and community service project sponsored by Communities for Children that provides hundreds of children in Georiga’s foster care system with a ‘little something extra’ on Christmas morning, a personalized stocking.
 
In 2008, Kathy earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Georgia with a major in Early Childhood Education and is a Georgia certified early childhood education teacher. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Business Administration at the University of Georgia and is slated to graduate July 2012.

Marketing & Communications Chair
Whitney Biber
E-mail: whitney.biber@fjcatlanta.org

Whitney joined Friends Junior Committee as a Cheers for Children committee member in 2010. In 2011, she transitioned into the role of Marketing Chair.

Whitney graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Journalism and moved to Atlanta shortly thereafter. She is currently a member of Newell Rubbermaid’s Corporate Communications team, where she helps manage internal communications. Prior to working at Newell, Whitney interned with Los Angeles magazine, Atlanta magazine, Communications 21 PR firm and Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters.

While still a Hoosier at heart, Whitney is enjoying all that Atlanta has to offer. In her spare time she loves running, cooking, shopping, spending time with her family and exploring new parts of the city. 

Amy is a native of Atlanta and attended the University of Georgia, where she majored in marketing and psychology. She graduated magna cum laude in 2008 and has returned to Atlanta, where she works at the American College of Rheumatology.

She has a special interest in event planning and is excited to help plan Party Atlanta 2009. Other activites have included being the social chair of Phi Mu at UGA, Special Events Coordinator for Heritage Sandy Springs, and currently, a member of the Junior League of Atlanta, as well as FJC. 

Social Chair
Jay Silvachelvan
E-mail: jay.silvachelvan@fjcatlanta.org

Jay is an investment professional at H.I.G. Capital where he is responsible for sourcing and facilitating investments in Software, Internet and Digital Media companies.  Prior to H.I.G., Jay worked at Thomas Weisel Partners, a tech-focused investment banking firm in San Francisco. 

In addition to his career, Jay has been an active philanthropist helping organize events such as Project Come Together (annual carnival for underprivileged children in the Austin area) and Sugar Free Bowl (an annual flag football tournament held to raise awareness for juvenile diabetes).  He is also the Event Director for the Wellbeing Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to building a clean-water well in drought-stricken Esupetai, Kenya.      

Jay is a 2007 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he earned dual degrees in both Finance and Economics.  He is an avid traveler and has lived in San Francisco, Texas, Vienna, Florida and England, where he was born.  He enjoys working out, being outdoors, meeting new people, trying new things and going new places.

Hospital Volunteer Co-Chair
Kim Harrell
E-mail: kim.harrell@fjcatlanta.org

Kim has been a member of Friends Junior Committee for several years.  

She is a graduate of Georgia Southern University, with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with teacher certification, and is currently a high school math teacher at Pebblebrook High School in Cobb County. Kim is also an officer of the Atlanta Chi Omega Alumnae Association.

Her hobbies include shopping, volunteering at the Egleston gift shop and working out at the gym.

Hospital Volunteer Co-Chair
Meredith Gould
E-mail: meredith.gould@fjcatlanta.org

Meredith graduated from Rhodes College with a BA in Business Administration and earned a Masters in Accounting from the University of Georgia.  She became a CPA in 2009 and currently works in the Financial Planning & Analysis department at Cox Media Group.

Meredith joined FJC in 2009 in hopes of making a difference and raising awareness for Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta.  She served as the 2010/2011 Socials Vice-Chair and is a member of the Cheers for Children’s and Party Atlanta planning committees. Meredith is excited to serve as the 2011/2012 Scottish-Rite Hospital Volunteering Chair and looks forward to getting our members more involved in the hospital events.

Corporate Vice-Chair
Cathy Ortiz
E-mail: cathy.ortiz@fjcatlanta.org

Corporate Vice-Chair
Bill Weimar
E-mail: bill.weimar@fjcatlanta.or

Bill is an Associate at Arcapita Inc., an international private equity firm.  In this capacity, Bill evaluates potential acquisition targets for the firm and assists in the management of Arcapita’s existing portfolio.  Prior to moving to  Atlanta  in December 2010, Bill was an analyst with Banc of America Securities in  Charlotte ,  NC .

Bill graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2007 with a degree in Economics.  He initially became involved with FJC at the encouragement of his friends and as a way to get involved in the Atlanta community.  Since joining FJC, Bill has thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other members and working on creative, new methods for corporate outreach

In his free time, Bill enjoys hunting, flying, and college football.

Special Events Vice-Chair
Julianna Cagle
E-mail: julianna.cagle@fjcatlanta.org

Marketing & Communications Vice-Chair
Jessica Dawson
E-mail: jessica.dawson@fjcatlanta.org

Jessica Dawson currently works at Coverdall, a full sevice marketing agency as an Account Coordinator.  She has several years of marketing experience with some of the best marketing/advertising agencies in the US.  Jessica graduated from Florida State University in 2007 with a bachelor's degree in Marketing.  During college she had two internships; one at The Zimmerman Agency in Tallahassee, FL and the other at Emmis Communications in New York.

Jessica is excited to take on a leadership role within Friends Junior Committee (FJC) and loves giving back to the community.  She is also a mentor at Bethune Elementary School through a program called Everybody Wins, a national nonprofit organization devoted to promoting children's literacy.

In her spare time she loves taking pictures, traveling, watching football and spending time with her family and friends.