Charles Doty’s recent gift to the University of Mississippi will help School of Business Administration students participating in the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE).
The Atlanta, Georgia, resident’s $150,000 gift establishes the Charles R. Doty CIE Support Fund to provide resources for business plan competitions and Career Treks, which connect students with employers to find highly sought-after job and internship opportunities.
“I knew I wanted to do something for Ole Miss, and I spent time considering the issues and areas that mean something to me,” said Doty, co-CEO of Asset Preservation Advisors (APA), an investment advisory firm that specializes in managing municipal bond portfolios.
“I felt like the CIE was a great option because it would allow me to share my experiences — both good and bad — with students pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors,” said Doty, who recently served as a judge of the CIE-hosted program, Gillespie Business Plan Competition, in which students pitch ideas Shark Tank-style for the chance to win cash awards.
Doty, himself, offers a $10,000 prize to a student entrepreneur venture team or individual who exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit through a venture driven by innovation in a product, process or service.
The CIE’s mission is to inspire UM students to create innovative businesses through excellent teaching, exceptional service and world-class research.
Co-director Clay Dibrell said, “I have enjoyed getting to know Charles through his service on our advisory board and I appreciate his desire to participate in the many great things we have here in the CIE. I’m equally grateful for his generous gift, which will greatly help in continuing our innovative interactions with our students, preparing them to become highly successful in the businesses they establish.”
After graduating from Ole Miss in 1983 with a BBA, Doty joined the Trust Company Bank in the Capital Markets Division. He also founded Atlanta Washer and Dryer Leasing which turned into Appliance Warehouse and was ultimately sold to Coinmach Laundry.
“I have started a couple of businesses and have experience — from raising capital, running and growing the business and selling the business to a publicly traded company,” said Doty. “I believe in the four Ts of treasure, time, talent and ties. So I look forward to spending time, sharing my learned talents and earned treasure at the university where I have developed many ties.
“I am very impressed with what the CIE has accomplished. The leadership, faculty, staff and students have all done outstanding work,” he continued. “I am excited to be involved and look forward to contributing for years to come. I just hope my gift can make a difference to someone who’s getting started in the business world.”
Doty has been with APA since 2002 and in the municipal bond business for over 35 years. He worked for SunTrust Equitable Securities for 16 years, eventually serving as director of national institutional municipal sales. In 1999, he co-founded Municipal Trade, an online public finance investment bank, as president and COO.
The donor is a former board chair of Prevent Blindness Georgia and a past advisory board member at Skyland Trail, George West Mental Health Foundation. He is a member of the National Federation of Municipal Analysts and the Southern Municipal Finance Society.
Doty has been included in Barron’s list of Top 100 Independent Wealth Advisors and Top 1,200 Top Advisors. Additionally, he has appeared on CNBC to discuss topics related to the municipal bond market.
Doty is a lifelong Rebel fan, having grown up in Senatobia, Mississippi, only 45 miles from Ole Miss.
“I grew up going to Ole Miss football games. I remember watching Archie play from 1968 to 1970. I knew then that I wanted to attend Ole Miss and never thought about going anywhere else,” he said.
Doty and his wife, Carol, have three grown children: Lanier and Charles, both UM graduates, and Virginia.
To make a gift to the Charles R. Doty CIE Support Fund, mail a check to the University of Mississippi Foundation, with the fund’s name noted in the memo line, to 406 University Ave., Oxford MS 38655, or click here.
For information on ways to support the School of Business Administration and the CIE, contact Patrick Salter, associate director of development, at psalter@olemiss.edu or 662-915-1584.