Board and Staff
David Eichenthal , President and CEO (B.A., University of Chicago, J.D. New York University):
Since January 2005, David R. Eichenthal has been the President and CEO of the Ochs Center. In 2007, David was named a Nonresident Senior Fellow with the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program. His areas of expertise include public finance, performance measurement, criminal justice policy, education and local economic development. David has two decades of experience in leadership positions in government and the non-profit sector. He is the former Chief Finance Officer of the City of Chattanooga, former Chair of the City's General Pension Plan and held a series of senior positions in New York City government, including serving as Chief of Staff to the city's second highest elected official. David is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga: he previously has taught at New York University, Baruch College and Georgia State University. He serves on the board of the Center for Employment Opportunities, a New York-based organization that provides immediate, effective and comprehensive employment services to people returning home from prison and detention facilities. David can be reached at 423.425.5611 or by email.
Monique Berke , COO (A.B. Stanford University, M.B.A. and Public Management Certificate, Stanford University):
Monique joined the Ochs Center in 2009 as the Vice President for External Affairs responsible for business development and community outreach in the Chattanooga region. She oversees the plan to increase the use of Ochs Center data by partners in their effort to become high impact organizations. Monique comes to the Ochs Center with a strong business background, a deep commitment to civic affairs and years of experience working with non-profit organizations and their leaders. Since 2000 Monique has had her own consulting firm providing assistance to both for-profit and not-for-profit clients with a focus on strategic planning and executive coaching. Prior to starting her own company, Monique spent more than a decade in the private sector serving in management positions with Wells Fargo Bank, ITT Sheraton and Unum. Monique can be reached at 423.425.5661 or by email.
Dr. Eileen Robertson-Rehberg , Director of Data Analysis and Senior Policy Analyst (M.A. Binghamton University and M.S. and Ph. D. Cornell University):
Since 2005, Eileen has led the Ochs Center's efforts at data collection and analysis. She has overseen the acquisition and analysis of data for the State of Chattanooga Region Report and led the organization’s work on issues related to early childhood interventions, community revitalization and land use. Her areas of expertise include program evaluation, quantitative analysis and GIS. Prior to coming to Chattanooga, Eileen was the Director of Hope College’s Research Center in Holland, Michigan. Eileen is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Eileen can be reached at 423.425.5612 or email.
Dr. William Tharp , Senior Policy Analyst (B.A. University of Texas, M.P.A. Texas State University, Ph. D. University of Louisville):
Since 2005, Bill Tharp has led Ochs’ work on economic development, workforce development and economic impact analysis. He also has expertise on public finance and performance measurement. Prior to joining Ochs’ staff, Bill served in Nashville Metropolitan Government as Finance Officer in the Office of Management and Budget and as Research Analyst at the Nashville Career Advancement Center, the office responsible for workforce development. Bill is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Bill can be reached at 423.425.5614 or by email.
Ione Farrar , Senior Research Analyst (B.B.A. University of Georgia):
Ione joined the Ochs Center in 1995 and has led efforts related to public opinion research. She has also led the Ochs Center’s work in the areas of community health and arts and culture. Ione also has expertise in program evaluation and analysis. Ione can be reached at 423.425.5615 or by email.
Lori Quillen , Policy Analyst (B.A. University of Tennessee, M.P.A. University of Oregon):
Lori joined the Ochs Center in 2007. Her work focuses on issues related to sustainability and the environment. Lori has expertise in policy research and analysis. Lori can be reached at 423.425.5613 or by email.
Marilyn Forsythe , Director of Administration:
Marilyn has been with the Ochs Center since 2005. She is in charge of the day-to-day operations and finance. Prior to coming to the Ochs Center, Marilyn worked as an the Assistant to the Chief Finance Officer of the City of Chattanooga and in other administrative positions with local not-for-profit organizations. Marilyn can be reached at 423.425.5618 or by email.
Elizabeth Crews , Community Outreach Coordinator (B.A., B.S., University of Tennessee at Chattanooga) :
After interning with the Ochs Center during the spring of 2009, Elizabeth joined the staff as the Community Outreach Coordinator. She is lead organizer for Ochs Center events and responsible for assisting in community outreach. Elizabeth can be reached at 423.425.5617 or by email.
2009-2010 Board Members
Bruce Adams, Chair
Ellen Hayes, Vice-Chair
Pam Bracher, Treasurer
Karlene Claridy, Secretary
Jeannine Alday
Rae Bond
Anita Polk Conley
Stephen Culp
Cory Curl
Helen Eigenberg
Bill Johnson
Dan Johnson
Donna McConnico
Phil Oldham
Ben Pitts
Edna Varner
Dr. Nancy Watts
Justin Wilkins
Elder Witt