The Ark Angel Alliance has named David Moody, owner of Jacksson David LLC, as its new Executive Director. In his new role, Moody will lead new member recruitment, deal vetting and due diligence support. Moody replaces Grace Rains, who has served as Executive Director since August 2020. Rains will now focus her attention on her role as Executive Director of the Conductor in Conway.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to serve as Executive Director of Ark Angel Alliance. I love the pace, technology, investors and founders in the startup space,” said Moody. “I’m looking forward to providing our members with the exposure, education and support they need to invest in some amazing startup companies,” he added. “When we do that successfully it not only generates a return for our investors, but also has a positive impact on our economy, creates jobs and has the potential to build wealth for a very diverse group of startup founders. That’s pretty cool.”
The Ark Angel Alliance was founded in 2019 by Alese Stroud, James Hendren, Bryan Hosto, Jeff Amerine and Gary Jones with the goal of educating Arkansans on investment decisions in early-stage companies and boosting economic development by aggregating investors to capitalize early-stage companies with the ability to grow well-paying jobs in the state.
Moody is a longstanding figure in the Arkansas startup ecosystem. He has served as a mentor in startup accelerators, a startup company executive, and has invested in dozens of Arkansas startups.
“It has been amazing to be able to play some small part in the growth of Arkansas’ startup ecosystem,” said Moody. JJeff Amerine, an Ark Angels’ board member, introduced me to the NWA startup scene in 2011 when I was running a startup energy technology company in Fayetteville. I followed him around to all sorts of pitch contests and other events as
he, and a handful of others, worked to bring life to the startup scene in that region.”
Moody’s company, Jacksson David LLC, is a consulting firm focused on startups and small businesses with significant growth potential.
“The executive director of an angel network needs to connect well with early-stage companies seeking investment and the angel-investor community, as well as the entrepreneur support organizations in the region,” said Ark Angel Board Member Alese Stroud. “David’s prior experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, statewide business connections and service in
leadership roles in multiple private sector, public sector and non-profit organizations prepare him well to serve in this capacity.”
Stroud added that accredited investors who want to know more about membership are invited to visit www.arkangelalliance.org where a link is provided for companies who are seeking investors to apply to present their proposals.
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