Team Directory
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Marla Gorges Director, Trade Adjustment Assistance
Marla Gorges, Director: The program director brings more than 25 years of corporate, Ms. Gorges maintains direct involvement in the TAA program’s national operations and performance metrics at large. Prior to being named program director, Ms. Gorges served in a project management and business development capacity for the SETAAC. She earned both her BS in Marketing and an MBA at the University of Central Florida. Enterprise Innovation Institute |
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Tracy Cole Client Development Manager Tracy Cole is the marketing manager for Georgia Tech’s Southeastern Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, which helps manufacturers hurt by import competition. She is responsible for marketing the program to industries, various economic development groups and trade associations, as well as to potential firms. Previously, she served as marketing specialist for marketing and professional development in the Enterprise Innovation Institute where she managed aspects of the organization’s marketing communications and coordination of activities associated with program implementation. Prior to joining Georgia Tech, Cole worked as an economic developement representative for the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce. She has a B.B.A. in marketing from North Georgia College and State University. Enterprise Innovation Institute |
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Vivian Edwards Administrative Coordinator Enterprise Innovation Institute Georgia Institute of Technology 75 Fifth Street, NW, Suite 314 Atlanta, Georgia 30308 Phone: (404) 894-3858 Fax: (404) 894-8194 E-mail: vivian.edwards {at} innovate.gatech(.)edu |
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J. Mark Hannah Project Manager J. Mark Hannah is a project manager with Georgia Tech’s Southeast Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, providing turn-around planning and improvement project implementation for import-impacted firms in eight Southeastern states. His more than 25 years of manufacturing experience include manufacturing management, industrial engineering, lean manufacturing, cost analysis and reduction, and process improvement. He has had primary responsibility for four plant start-ups and has experience in numerous industries including fiber optics, second-tier automotive supply, vehicle fabrication and assembly, plastics, non-woven textile, and metalworking. Mr. Hannah has a B.S. degree from Lowell Technological Institute and an M.B.A. from the University of Georgia. He recently completed requirements for Six Sigma Black Belt training at Georgia Tech. Enterprise Innovation Institute |
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Andy Helm Project Manager Andy Helm is a faculty member at the Georgia Institute of Technology where he serves as a business developer, technology consultant and business coach. His entrepreneur experience includes participation in several high-technology start-up companies. Andy was the designer of all electronics for a metrology start-up company that went public in 1997. He also helped establish the US headquarters of an international tele-communications company. He is the Founder of H&H Media, a television production company and the inventor or co-inventor of 6 issued and pending patents. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration, both from the University of Central Florida. Enterprise Innovation Institute |
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James Seals Project Manager James Seals is a Project Manager with GT’s Southeastern Trade Adjustment Center. He is responsible for providing strategic assistance to manufacturers who have lost market share as a result of import competition. Performs diagnostic analyses of firm’s financial, marketing, management, manufacturing, and management information systems operations, helps develop adjustment plans and secure federal funding for these firms to improve their competitive position. Including positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology (GT) and other companies, he has over twenty five years of broad range managerial and technical experience in several industries. He has management experience in technology partnerships, technology assessment, Project Management, and customer relations. Schools: General Motors Institute Bachelors Industrial Engineering; Georgia State University MBA Enterprise Innovation Institute |