McWhorter Circle · Annual giving society
Change the game for entrepreneurs.
The McWhorter Circle, named in honor of the EC's founding chair, R. Clayton McWhorter, is an Annual Giving Society of members committed to providing a foundation of support for the EC's mission.
Join the Circle See membership levels
Founders' legacy
Four principles, hundreds of entrepreneurs.
Clayton McWhorter, the EC's founding chair, helped hundreds of entrepreneurs throughout his life, sharing his four guiding principles:
Shape the future
What Circle giving makes possible.
"I support this mission because as an entrepreneur who rose from poverty, I understand the transformative power of entrepreneurship in changing lives. By participating in the McWhorter Circle, I am empowered to support others, helping them realize their dreams."
EC Board Member, McWhorter Circle Platinum Member
McWhorter Circle membership
Three levels of belonging.
Platinum Level
- Two complimentary tickets to the NEXT Awards & Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame
- Invitation to participate in the selection process of NEXT Awards' Entrepreneurs
- Member photos included in the EC Annual Report
- Invitation to the annual McWhorter Circle Legacy Celebration
- Invitations and special opportunities to participate in EC VIP events
- Invitation to submit nominations for the Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame
- Recognition at the annual EC NEXT Awards & Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
- Recognition on the EC website and digital welcome displays
- Recognition in the EC Annual Report
- EC CEO Executive updates and news
Gold Level
- Invitation to the annual McWhorter Circle Legacy Celebration
- Invitations and special opportunities to participate in EC VIP events
- Invitation to submit nominations for the Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame
- Recognition at the annual EC NEXT Awards & Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame event at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
- Recognition on the EC website and digital welcome displays
- Recognition in the EC Annual Report
- EC CEO Executive updates and news
Silver Level
- Invitation to the annual McWhorter Circle Legacy Celebration
- Invitations and special opportunities to participate in EC VIP events
- Invitation to submit nominations for the Entrepreneurs' Hall of Fame
- Recognition on the EC website and digital welcome displays
- Recognition in the EC Annual Report
- EC CEO Executive updates and news
Nashville's Rising Leaders
Silver membership is for Nashville's next generation of entrepreneurial leaders who are actively building companies, leading innovation initiatives, or driving economic growth in our region.
The Circle in person
Moments from the McWhorter Circle.
Our members
The people behind the Circle.
Platinum Members
- Penny Austermiller
- Johnny and Jennifer Anderson
- Judith Bright
- Dr. Michael Burcham
- Beth and Randy Chase
- Katie and Kevin Crumbo
- Brian and Abbey Dailey
- Sherry and Mark Deutschmann
- Gina and Jeff Drummonds
- Andy and Jennifer Faught
- Michael Fallon
- Melissa and Bobby Frist
- John and Stephanie Ingram
- Richard MacKinnon
- Antonia and Rod McDaniel
- Jason Moore
- Linda and Art Rebrovick
- Joe and Dorothy Scarlett
- Saurabh and Sonal Sinha
- Holly and Clint Smith
- Dee Anna and Hubie Smith
- Leah and Jim Sohr
- Abby and J.B. Spaulding
- Jimmy and Frances Spradley
- Jon and Kathy Yarbrough
Gold Members
- Jane and Greg Allen
- Bill Brennan
- Cathy and Martin Brown
- Trudy and Bill Carpenter
- Sam and Mary Helen Davidson
- Amy and Brandon Deaton
- Meg and Stephen Epstein
- Nancy Allen & John Burch & Matt King / FCA Venture Partners
- Joe Galante
- Christi and Landon Gibbs
- Debbie Gordon
- Liza and Jay Graves
- Carlana and Aubrey Harwell
- Chris Hefley and Christel Alvarez Hefley
- Pamela and Joe Jeffries
- Ann Johnson
- Milton and Denice Johnson
- Jessa and Jay Kelley
- David and Rebecca Klements
- Coco Kyriopoulos
- Jimmy and Meredith Leach
- Katie Lentile and Matthew Hertz
- Katherine and Jim McElroy
- Stuart and Leigh Anne McWhorter
- Janet and David Miller
- Elise and Raye Mitchell
- Richard Moscardelli and Kim Usher
- Nick Ogden and Katrina Welty
- Kearstin Patterson
- Pam and Phil Pfeffer
- Tom Raney / JE Dunn Construction
- Ron & Lynn Samuels
- Jim and Laurie Seabury
- Michael and Lisa Shmerling
- Tim and Darlene Sinks
- Michael Slavik
- Nancy Stabell
- Jorge Titinger
- Tom Turner
- Mary Glenn and Dave Vreeland
- Jeremy and Melissa Wilkinson
Silver Members
- Alexa Barnett
- Tyler and Lynna Cauble
- Trevor and Katie Garrett
- Larry Kloess and Haleigh Sport
- Vishwesh Nath and Anchita Mathur
- Liron and Jada Thomas
- Monique Villa
Join McWhorter Circle
Make your commitment.
Giving details
The Nashville Entrepreneur Center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. EIN: 27-1230916. Online donations will receive a receipt by email.
Donating by mail? Make checks payable to
Nashville Entrepreneur Center
Attention: Donna Mattick
41 Peabody Street
Nashville, TN 37210
Contact information
Donna Mattick
Chief Strategic Alliances Officer
Email: donna.mattick@ec.co
Phone: 615-456-1701
Two ways in
Provide the foundation.
Join the Circle
Choose your level and make your gift online — Platinum, Gold, or Silver.
Join McWhorter CircleTalk it through first
Donna Mattick can walk you through the levels, benefits, and giving options.
Email Donna MattickThe McWhorter Circle is an Annual Giving Society of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.