Sammy Lowdermilk leaving “100 Girls of Code” initiative
By Tom Ballard, Chief Alliance Officer, Pershing Yoakley & Associates, P.C.
The power behind the Tennessee Code Academy and the phenomenal “100 Girls of Code” initiative is moving on.
In an email distributed yesterday (September 15), Sammy Lowdermilk said he was leaving the program with mixed emotions but a sense of great accomplishment.
“We’ve set thousands of young men and women on a path toward success in the 21st century,” he said. “Our initial goal to reach 100 girls in one state turned into over 1,000 girls across the U.S. as well as multiple countries across the world.”
We first reported on the fledgling program, spawned by The Biz Foundry, more than two years ago, shortly after Lowdermilk joined the Cookeville-based organization. We have since chatted with him at various events and admired his enthusiasm for the initiative, spawned in no small part by this comment in yesterday’s announcement.
“As a father with a young daughter, I know that we’ve helped pave the way for her and other young women who want to create their own future through coding,” Lowdermilk said.
So, what’s next? That’s a good question, but he may have given some indication with this statement: “I now have the opportunity to focus on my own community, Chattanooga. I love the city I’ve called my own for several years. It is one of the greatest cities in America and I look forward to playing my small part to make it even greater.”
Lowdermilk’s tenacity and commitment have made a difference. Wherever he lands, we know those contributions will continue to be impactful.
