ABOUT AMPLIO VENTURES

From refugee entrepreneurs to companies employing a large majority of their staff from the refugee workforce, Amplio Ventures seeks to focus on growth for businesses restoring refugee stability.

EVALUATING OPPORTUNTIES

Along with my partners, I review potential opportunities. While financial performance indicators are key, we seek enterprises with a multiple bottom-line approach. This emphasis takes into consideration all stakeholders within an organization.

EDUCATING THE MARKETPLACE

Refugee owned businesses and enterprises that serve the forcibly displaced are not all non-profits, and they should not be viewed as charity. I assist with marketing and education efforts that emphasize the viability of these businesses, explaining why they are marketplace opportunities.

EDUCATING ME

To better understand refugee situations, causes of forced displacement, and potential remedies for the adversity forced migrants face, I entered graduate school at Harvard University. The emphasis of my studies in International Relations dovetails with Amplio Venture's work with refugees. My thesis explores the attributes of resettled refugees as employees. Graduation is expected spring 2025.

BUSINESS COACH

I assist founders in all phases of the business cycle. Whether it is at the start-up phase, scaling the enterprise, or preparing for a merger or acquisition, my experience has proven helpful with business formation, management, leadership, sales, and marketing.

AUTHOR

"The Refugee Advantage" collects stories of forcibly displaced people who have resettled and launched successful businesses. The book explores characteristics that are either revealed or developed through refugees' experiences that aid in entrepreneurial ventures. These characteristics are beneficial for all entrepreneurs and business founders.

Publication expected in late 2024.

ABOUT MAINSTREET TECHNOLOGIES

MainStreet Technologies (MST) was founded in November 1999 by Michael Jones, Margie Sirmans, and Dalton T. Sirmans. MST was a leading, independent provider of software solutions and advisory services to financial institutions and the only provider focused specifically on the Allowance for Loan and Lease Losses (ALLL); a calculated reserve established in relation to the estimated credit risk within a financial institution's loan portfolio. Private equity firms Accel- AKKR and Carlyle purchased our company in March 2018. Today, MST is part of the growing financial technology company Abrigo.

ABOUT COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS AND AMERICAN LAWYER MEDIA

My first career involved journalism, working for The Valdosta Daily Times, Community Newspapers, Inc. (CNI), and American Lawyer Media. Beginning as a staff writer while a senior in college, I later served in a variety of Editor roles, Publisher of the Camden County Tribune, in St. Mary's, Georgia, Regional Marketing Director for CNI in Northeast Georgia, and finally Advertising and Marketing Director for American Lawyer Media in Atlanta, Georgia.

EDUCATION

Master of Liberal Arts, International Relations Harvard Extension School, Harvard University

with honors            2020-2025 (expected spring graduation)

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Valdosta State University

Cum Laude            1985-1986

Associate of Science, Sociology

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College      1982-1984

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC AFFILIATIONS

Rotary Club of Habersham County, Georgia

•         President, 2005-06
•        Georgia Rotary Student Program, Former Trustee, Host Family
•         Rotary Youth Leadership Award, Former Administrator and Camp Manager for four               years
•        District 6910 Passport Project
•         District 6910 Lee Arrendale Award Winner
•        Paul Harris Fellow
•        Bequest Society

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses – National Cohort Alum Circle of Hope – Former President, Former Board Member

First Baptist Church, Cornelia, GA – Deacon, Former Deacon Chairperson

PERSONAL

Happily over-married the former Margie Marie Chancey June 27, 1987.

Blessed with an exceptional daughter, Macy Marie Sirmans, who is married to Francis Alexander Holmes. They reside in London.

Dubya is our beloved Labrador Retriever.