Meet the KEC team

Our team is made up of experienced entrepreneurs, mentors, and community-minded professionals that are ready to help take your big idea to the next level.

Jim Biggs

Executive director

Jim is a former attorney with decades of experience in building businesses, raising capital, and forming impactful communities. Jim is a tireless advocate for entrepreneurship, and has helped KEC be the “center of gravity without being the center of attention” since 2015. 

Delaney Lawson

Programming Director

Delaney has a passion for bringing people together, and keeping things moving for KEC. With a degree in Marketing and International Business from the UTK, Delaney has been the go-to person for all events, activities, and big ideas since 2017. 

Courtney Hendricks

Chief Operating Officer

Courtney is a versatile marketing and design veteran with extensive leadership and event planning experience. She is focused on facilitating connections, promoting a culture of inclusivity, and aiding in building a strong support system for Knoxville’s entrepreneurs.

Chris McAdoo

Chief experience officer

Chris has spent over 20 years building brand-focused consulting and content businesses, forging a successful creative career, and speaking all over the country on the power of community, creativity and challenging assumptions. 

Kelsi Walker

Communications director

Kelsi is a center of gravity for KEC, acting as a first point of contact as well as managing the KEC and Maker City Newsletters. She is also deeply involved in the Knoxville creative community as a musician and founder of Free Women Waltzing Club

Holly Rainey

Social Media Manager

Holly Rainey is KEC’s & The Maker City’s Social Media Manager. Holly is a creative professional that specializes in photography, content creation and social media management.

Leslie Beale

exec-in-residence, Inflection Point mentor

As a Hogan certified leadership coach, Leslie brings two decades of law, leadership, and advanced corporate leadership experience to the ongoing Inflection.Point growth-stage companies. 

Richard Dapaah

exec-in-residence, capital connections coordinator

Richard brings extensive global investment and startup capital experience to the KEC community. Having recently authored the Knoxville Chamber’s Access to Capital report, Richard is focused on the role capital plays in a healthy entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

Patrick Hunt

inflection.point facilitator

Currently CEO of SmartRIA, Patrick brings over 30 years of experience in user experience consulting to Fortune 1000 companies, early stage and emerging companies, government agencies and non-profit organizations. 

Anna Wiggins

Business 101 + 201 facilitator

Anna Wiggins created, grew, and recently sold Loveliest Bridal, an intimate Knoxville wedding dress boutique. Prior to that venture, she worked in the finance department for East Tennessee Foundation. She now teaches what she has learned along the way in our business 101 and 201 cohorts.

Kandis Troutman, MA

100knoxville facilitator

As the Creative Architect, Kandis is an experienced strategic consultant who believes in aligning entrepreneurs’ purpose and prosperity. She sees what most people miss and creates simple and efficient solutions for individuals and businesses across the world. 

Stay Updated

Search