The Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) recently announced an 18-month engagement with the Kauffman Foundation to strengthen the city’s capacity to support entrepreneurs. One of only two cities selected for the award, an initial project is the new Diversity Initiative, which is also supported by Google for Entrepreneurs. The program has a focus on creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial environment in Nashville.

From a staffing standpoint, CEO Stuart McWhorter announced Sam Lingo as EC’s new president and COO. He has served as COO since July 1, 2011 and added his responsibilities as president last month. A Nashville native, Lingo earned his degree in economics from Vanderbilt.

Also, John R. Ingram, board chair for EC, recently announced Beth R. Chase, founder and CEO of C3 Consulting, has been named EC’s chairman-elect, effective this month. She will serve a year in her current position before taking over as chairman in January 2017. Other new board members beginning terms this month include Jason Epstein, Jose Gonzalez, Angela Humphreys, Janet Miller, Chris Sloan, and Yiaway Yeh.