Scott Mertie is proud to be a "bowtie guy." Even in an era of business casual, the president of Nashville-headquartered Kraft Healthcare Consulting, affiliate of Kraft CPAs, prefers to suit up for work, including a necktie and cufflinks. The business consultant's accessories are taking on a pink hue over the next month -- a fashion choice he's making to help fight breast cancer.

Mertie is one of 15 business executives, physicians and other professionals who are members of the Pink Tie Guy Class of 2021 to raise donations for Susan G. Komen® Central Tennessee.

The annual fundraiser, which gets underway today, provides an opportunity for local men to show support for the women in their lives -- and in their community -- who have been affected by breast cancer

"One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, and that one could be someone you love -- your wife, your mother or your daughter," said Sonny Terrill, executive vice president of Human Resources for LifePoint Health, which is a presenting partner for the Pink Tie Guys Class of 2021. "LifePoint is proud to support such a meaningful cause that directly impacts our mission of Making Communities Healthier by raising awareness and funding to help fight this disease."

Each Pink Tie Guy is individually collecting donations that will be used to fund Komen services such as a breast care hotline, treatment assistance for the uninsured / under-insured and patient navigation services. Donations also support groundbreaking breast cancer research, some of which is being conducted at Vanderbilt University.

Mertie is raising donations as a way to honor his wife and mother, both breast cancer survivors. The 30-year accountant also says the impact of a local Komen donation appeals to the "numbers guy" in him.

"Komen has awarded more than $10 million dollars to help people right here in Nashville and Middle Tennessee," he said. "And these investments are paying. The number of deaths attributed to breast cancer is dropping every year because of treatment advances and earlier detection through screening."

Joining Mertie, who is also the founder of the Nashville Brewing Company, as a Nashville-area Pink Tie Guy are:

• Skip Burris, D - President, Clinical Operations and Chief Medical Officer, Sarah Cannon and Partner, Tennessee Oncology.
• Joshua Donaldson - Instructor in Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical
• Harrison Fletcher - Director of Sales and Marketing, Blackbird
• Will Hatfield - Commercial Banker, Vice President, Truist
• Kyle "Kye" Higdon, D - Associate Professor, Breast and Aesthetic Surgery, Vanderbilt Plastic Surgery.
• Josh Hopson - Assistant Vice President, LifePoint
• Todd Inman - CTO, OptimizeRx
• Dan Rogers - Vice President, Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry.
• Jonathan Uttz - Chief Financial Officer, TrustPoint
• Bryan Winfree - Major Account Business Technology Advisor, NovaTech,

The Pink Tie Guy Class of 2021 is presented by Nashville Yards and LifePoint Health. Donors can view participant profiles and make a financial gift to help them reach donation goals at www.komencentraltennessee.org. Fundraising continues until Sunday, March 21.

An online auction is being held March 17-21 to support the Class of 2021's fundraising efforts. Auction bids may be made at www.komencentraltennessee.org. Look for the Pink Tie Guy banner.