Andrew Tulchin Named Director Of ECDC Enterprise Development Group

Arlington, VA, April 2006

Andrew (Drew) Tulchin, a specialist in microfinance, capital development and sustainable development, has been named director of ECDC’s Enterprise Development Group (EDG).

Serving most recently as a senior program officer for the Grameen Foundation USA, Tulchin has more than 12 years experience enabling small businesses and community organizations to develop sustainable financial returns and meaningful social value. His past experience includes serving as a Loan Officer for a Seattle based non-bank lender, co-launching an international finance company, and consulting in 16 countries on microfinance. He is the author and co-author of numerous articles on small enterprise development, social entrepreneurship and microfinance.

Tulchin is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, with a BA, cum laude, in history and international relations, and of the University of Washington in Seattle with an MBA in finance and marketing, where he received the Graduate Business Forum Leadership and Entrepreneurship Award.

“As we strengthen and expand our services to newcomers seeking independence and access to the nation’s mainstream, we are delighted to welcome Drew to this important leadership position,” said ECDC President Tsehaye Teferra. “His professional experience and personal dedication to helping open up economic opportunities for individuals and communities are sources of encouragement and confidence for our clients, partners, staff and volunteers.”

Established in 1992 as a program component of ECDC to help refugees, minorities and other low-to-moderate income entrepreneurs access credit, EDG is now a subsidiary providing an array of programs and services, including microloans, technical assistance, training and asset-building opportunities throughout the metropolitan area of Washington, D.C. It is a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and a Small Business Administration Microloan Intermediary.

EDG is an economic development leader. It has made more than 447 loans in its history to help low-to-moderate income individuals and recent arrivals to this country achieve the American Dream by starting their own businesses. Its current portfolio of microloans (loans less than $35,000) is $2.6 million. The organization has also helped more than 750 people save money through its Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) to buy a life-improving new asset, such as a car, paying for college education, and even buying a home. More information on EDG is available online at www.enterprisedevelopmentgroup.org .