Judges

 

Advanced Technology Development Center

 

Ms. Cheatham is Director of Business Development at the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), a nationally recognized science and technology incubator that helps Georgia entrepreneurs launch and build successful companies.  At ATDC, Ms. Cheatham provides strategic advice to startups.  She also leads strategic partnership and key relationship development activities. 

Prior to working for ATDC, Cindy was Director of Business Development for ATDC graduate company, Blue Rock, Inc. and Director of Marketing for acquiring company RichFX. Ms. Cheatham is also a former management consultant for Bain & Company and a financial analyst with Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. 

Cindy is an honors graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and earned an MBA from Harvard University with distinction. She enjoys tennis and is active in a variety of local not-for-profits including Community Consulting Teams and the PTA at Montgomery Elementary.  Ms. Cheatham is a frequent speaker to entrepreneurs and has led award-winning entrepreneurial programs.  Ms. Cheatham was a nominee for WIT’s Woman of the Year in Technology.   

Tino Mantella

Technology Association of Georgia

 

Tino Mantella joined TAG in September, 2004 as the organization's new President. Mantella, prior to joining TAG, had amassed over 20 years of related experience leading two of the nations more prestigious volunteer-driven organizations - National Arthritis Foundation and YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

As President and CEO of two multifaceted and complex charities, he spearheaded agendas that led to the development of innovative new services, resulting in the facilitation of significant membership growth. In addition, Mantella’s track record reflects impressive results in fund raising, advocacy, and economic development. Since coming to TAG, Mantella has worked with a team of dedicated volunteers and staff to: build a prestigious board made up of 48 technology stakeholders; grow membership by more than 20%; and add a series of program and services that support TAG’s vision of educating, informing and uniting the technology community.

Mantella is a long-standing member of the Northwestern Universities’ Kellogg Board; the Young Presidents Organization (YPO); and the board of Catholic Social Services of Atlanta.

Habif Arogeti & Wynne LLP

 

Michael Blake is Director of Valuation Services at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP.  He has fifteen years of valuation experience including transaction support, fair value accounting, litigation, and fairness opinions.  He also has four years of experience in managing and performing assignments on FAS 123(R), stock option and warrant valuation, FAS 133, hedging instrument valuation, FAS 141, purchase price allocation and FAS 142, goodwill impairment testing.

Michael’s industry experience includes information technology, medical devices, drug development, computer hardware, electronic entertainment, telecommunications, broadcasting, publishing, business services, e-commerce and Internet-driven services, aerospace, paper & timber, beverage, media, manufacturing, and private equity.

He received his Bachelor’s Degree, Cum Laude, in Economics and French from Franklin & Marshall College and his Masters of Business Administration Degree from Georgetown University.  Michael is the co-founder and co-host of StartupLounge.com, an online podcast and forum resource for entrepreneurs and private company investors.  He is a Nominee for the 2009 Turknett Leadership Character Award.  Michael’s professional affiliations include:

• Chartered Financial Analyst Institute
• Stamford, CT Society of Investment Analysts (SSIA)
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Georgia Tech/Emory TI:GER Entrepreneurship Program Advisory Board
• Ukrainian-American Chamber of Commerce
• American-Israel Chamber of Commerce