Jutta Bangs, a counselor with the Tennessee APEX Accelerator, has been elected
President-Elect of the National APEX Accelerator Alliance (NAPEX).

NAPEX is a 501(c)(6) trade association representing the national network of APEX Accelerators. These programs provide small businesses with no-cost counseling on
government contracting, including federal registrations, certifications, compliance requirements, and proposal development. NAPEX supports this network by fostering
collaboration among regional programs, advocating for the industry, and equipping counselors nationwide with the resources and regulatory guidance needed to serve
their clients effectively.

The Tennessee APEX Accelerator is administered by the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service’s (IPS) Center for Industrial Services (CIS).

In her role with the Tennessee APEX Accelerator, Bangs advises small businesses across the state on the intricacies of government contracting. Her contributions to NAPEX have included service as Region 5 Director and, most recently, as communications chair, where she led efforts to modernize the organization's communications infrastructure and kept the national network informed on evolving federal procurement regulations.

As President-Elect, Bangs will work alongside NAPEX's national leadership to advance the organization's mission and strengthen support for APEX Accelerators across the country. Bangs is the fourth CIS employee to be selected to serve as president for the national council. Bob Matheny (1997-1998), Becky Peterson (2005-2006) and Joe Flynn (2009-1010) previously served in the role. 

"I'm honored to take on this role and continue serving a network that does so much to help small businesses succeed in government contracting," said Bangs.