Mike Goode of Gregory, Doyle, Calhoun & Rogers, LLC (Atlanta), and Dr. Ken Goldsmith of Chattanooga State Community College will be the two new co-chairs of BABG Chattanooga as of March 2014.  Terrence L. Olsen of the Olsen Law Firm will become its immediate past chair.

Officials said, "BABG Chattanooga has had many very successful events in the past two years, including its monthly pub nights, its Business Speaker Series, its consulate events, and its holiday parties.

  Every one of its events has been sponsored by either local, regional or international businesses. 

"Events have included 1) a holiday party at the Mountain City Club attended by Scenic City Santa, 2) several events with Claire Newman, Vice Consul of the British Consulate, as well as with UK trade representatives, 3) a British Movie night, 4) a Business Speaker Event with the President of Double Cola Alnoor Dhanani who spoke on the current international economic environment in a fast pace & changing world, 5) an event at the Walden club, "Seminar To Assist Businesses In Keeping Up With & Understanding The Ever-Changing Personality & Climate Of The Marketplace—Locally, Nationally & Internationally", which featured three experts, 6) a Christmas party at The English Rose Tea Room in Chattanooga, and 7) a Business Speaker Event, “A Guide to the Markets—After the Presidential Election” held at the Walden Club and featuring Ted Cox, CFA of Rochdale Investment Management from Richmond, Va."

BABG Chattanooga will continue its monthly pub nights. For 2014 the pub nights will also feature a trade representative/consular officer from a consulate in Atlanta who will give a short presentation at each pub night. 

Officials said membership fees have been reduced to $35 per person (a $125 reduction). This membership includes 1) the monthly Chattanooga and Atlanta pub nights, 2) Individual information in BABG website Member Directory, 3) Member pricing at events, 4) Invitation to Garden Party at Consul General’s Residence in Atlanta, 5) One representative, one vote at annual meeting in Atlanta.

The next meeting will be on Feb. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at 535 Chestnut St., Suite 160. Please contact Mike Goode to RSVP or for more information at mgoode@gregorydoylefirm.com.  At this meeting the group will discuss the 2014 year of BABG Chattanooga, including events, sponsorships, memberships, and committees.

If you want to join, here is the link:

http://babg.org/membership/

Mike Goode was the co-chair of the China Business Alliance of the World Trade Center Atlanta, and helped host Chinese trade delegations.  He is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the World Affairs Council.  He is also a Committee member of the International Affairs Committee of the Marietta Rotary, and a member of the Atlanta International Tax Study Group.  Overall, he studied at NYU Law School under Jerome Cohen, who was the first American attorney invited by Chairman Mao into China.  Mr. Goode is a co-author with Hongling Han-Ralson, “Business Culture and Customs,” The Legalities of Doing Business in China (National Business Institute, 2008), and the author of “Offshore Trusts and Alternative Vehicles” and “Ethical Issues in Offshore Planning,” International Estate Planning (National Business Institute, 2009).

Dr. Ken Goldsmith is a professor at Chattanooga State Community College.  He is the Professor of Legal Studies, and Paralegal program director in the Business and Information Technologies Division at Chattanooga State Community College.  In the Fall of 2013, Dr. Ken Goldsmith he was on sabbatical and taught at Ningbo University of Technology in China. He visited two university campuses in Taiwan, and per a letter of agreement signed by Chattanooga State Community College President Jim Catanzaro he cultivated a more mature and formalized relationship with the university officials who met with him.  Overall, Dr. Goldsmith’s interests involve internationalization and globalization in education and employment.