Brenda McDaniel

Ms. McDaniel is the Chief Financial Officer for Meritus Ventures and a member of the Board of Directors for Eclipse Management, LLC.

In addition, Ms. McDaniel is the Chief Financial Officer for the Southern Appalachian Fund and a member of the Board of Directors for Southern Appalachian Management Company, LLC. Ms. McDaniel is also Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation.

From 1978 to present, she has held many positions at Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, serving in her current capacity since 1989. She is responsible for the financial, accounting, compliance and legal functions of the company. She serves as liaison for the company with outside attorneys, accountants, financial institutions, tax professionals and other consultants as well as state and federal government officials. Ms. McDaniel is involved in both developing strategy for the future of Kentucky Highlands and monitoring progress toward goals and compliance with existing agreements. She provides support to the Chief Executive Officer in setting policy and establishing and achieving the goals of Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation. She also provides support to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in evaluating new investments and portfolio management. Ms. McDaniel has served as treasurer for several investee companies as well as treasurer for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation and its related companies.

Ms. McDaniel serves as a member of several regional and national development agencies including the National Congress for Community Economic Development. She serves as vice-chairman of the Rural Local Initiative Support Corporation advisory committee. Under Ms. McDaniel’s financial leadership, Kentucky Highlands has become one of the oldest and largest rural community development corporations in the United States. In December 1994, Kentucky Highlands was awarded designation as Lead Entity of an Empowerment Zone--one of only three in the United States. Additional designations include one of the first Community Development Financial Institutions, a tax credit community development corporation, a Community Development Entity, and a nonbank lender under the USDA’s Business and Industry Loan Guaranty Program.

Ms. McDaniel has participated in several study groups analyzing the need for economic development in rural areas and she has been involved in the development of new programs to serve the need for capital in rural areas. She provides technical assistance to other development groups and speaks and conducts training sessions at various conferences and meetings. Ms. McDaniel is a graduate of Leadership Tri-County.

Ms. McDaniel has a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Eastern Kentucky University, an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Accounting from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting from Cumberland College in Williamsburg, Kentucky. She has also completed various work related courses in management and computer software applications.

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