The Center for the Visually Impaired (CVI) is pleased to announce the addition of five new members to our governing board. The board also elected a new chair to lead the organization for the next two years. Each of these board members brings a passion for CVI’s mission and for making a difference in the lives of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. 

CVI welcomes Emma Barry, Counsel, Harrison LLP; Michael “Mike” Cohn, Co-Founder, CF Real Estate Investments; Amina Greathouse, Chief Financial Officer, Greathouse Trial Law; Thomas L. “Tom” Pennella, Co-Founder, Penhalt Advisory Group; and Elizabeth “Betsy” Willis Quinn, Counsel, Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP.

Emma focuses her practice on Special Needs Trust and Estate Planning matters and has extensive experience representing clients in guardianship and conservatorship proceedings in Probate Courts throughout Georgia. Mike operates a commercial and mixed-use real estate investment and development firm, helping to turn speculative property opportunities into valuable investments. Amina monitors her firm’s financial performance and status by measuring and analyzing results, initiating corrective actions, and minimizing the impact of variances. Tom provides management and technical consulting services to Fortune 500 companies, private equity portfolio investors, and tech start-ups. Betsy represents clients in the acquisition, disposition, financing, developing, and leasing of commercial and residential facilities and has extensive experience negotiating leases and ground leases on behalf of both landlords and tenants. 

At its annual meeting, the board also elected Bob Pennington, Managing Principal and Regional Director, Pendleton Square Trust Company, as Board Chair. Bridgette Suttle, Peer Leader and Community Volunteer, Secretary, and Montague L. “Cosmo” Boyd IV, Managing Director, The 680 Group, Vice Chair and Treasurer, continue to serve in their officer roles. Long-time trustee and Chairman, James “Scott” Mathews III, retired from the CDC, BellSouth, and USAF Reserves, completed his term and was elected to the CVI Foundation Board of Trustees.

“I am excited to begin working with Emma, Mike, Amina, Tom, and Betsy. They each bring needed expertise to the board, and they are all deeply connected to the community and our mission. CVI will benefit greatly with their leadership.” Lisa Kennedy, President, said. “I appreciate the diligence of our Governance Committee in helping to recruit these exceptional leaders. I am deeply grateful to Scott Mathews for his unwavering support as my thought partner during his tenure.”

The members began their terms on July 1, 2024, with the start of CVI’s new fiscal year.