Experience

Aventurine Capital Group

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Managing Director

  • Oct 2021 - Present

  New York City Metropolitan Area Aventurine Capital Group focuses on inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs with strong and impactful Foundational IP. Our IP Commercialization Program and Studio provides unparalleled support in realizing the potential of intellectual property through IP Strategy, IP Asset Management and supporting Go-To-Market services. Realizing that not every inventor is a nascent CEO, we help bring exceptional innovations to market, strengthen and advise science and tech teams, source… Show more Aventurine Capital Group focuses on inventors, researchers, and entrepreneurs with strong and impactful Foundational IP. Our IP Commercialization Program and Studio provides unparalleled support in realizing the potential of intellectual property through IP Strategy, IP Asset Management and supporting Go-To-Market services. Realizing that not every inventor is a nascent CEO, we help bring exceptional innovations to market, strengthen and advise science and tech teams, source investment capital and execute growth strategies. We also advise investment managers, funds, and family offices that have interest in companies with substantial intellectual property assets. Show less



Coast to Crest Fund

• United States
• Venture Capital and Private Equity Principals

• General Partner

  • Jan 2017 - Present

  Eugene, Oregon Area The Coast to Crest Fund invests in early-stage startups that exhibit outstanding growth potential. Our investments are heavily mentored and supported through our network of contacts to advance them to their next point of funding or exit. Coast to Crest is no longer looking for new investment opportunities.



University of Cincinnati's Center for Entrepreneurship

• United States
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Entrepreneur In Residence

  • Sep 2022 - Present

  Working with students and researchers to advise them on venture launches.



Defunkify

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Apr 2018 - Present

  Eugene, Oregon Area



InVivo Biosystems

• United States
• Biotechnology Research
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Mar 2017 - Present



Nulia

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • May 2018 - Present

  Eugene, Oregon Area



Visual Robotics

• United States
• Automation Machinery Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Sep 2018 - Present



ROAM Fitness

• United States
• Health, Wellness & Fitness
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Jul 2018 - Present



Bitcork

• United States
• Truck Transportation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Nov 2018 - Present



Shift

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Investor

  • Jun 2019 - Present

  Bend, Oregon, United States



University of Oregon

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Startup Coach

  • Sep 2020 - Sep 2021

  Eugene, Oregon, United States Assisting Student entrepreneurs with business ventures.



Self-employed

• Strategy Consultant - Executive Coach

  • Mar 2009 - Sep 2021

  I advise startups and growth stage companies, with a particular focus on helping startups prepare for rapid scaling. I advise on hiring, team growth, operations, and financial models. I work with technology teams on issues of strategy, architecture, and implementing and managing agile methodologies. When working with startups and growth stage companies, I focus on business models, financing, and pitch coaching. When working directly with founders, I focus my energy on helping… Show more I advise startups and growth stage companies, with a particular focus on helping startups prepare for rapid scaling. I advise on hiring, team growth, operations, and financial models. I work with technology teams on issues of strategy, architecture, and implementing and managing agile methodologies. When working with startups and growth stage companies, I focus on business models, financing, and pitch coaching. When working directly with founders, I focus my energy on helping them to cope with the difficult challenge of being a company founder. Show less



Innovation Hub at 942 Olive

• United States
• Non-profit Organizations

• Managing Director/Executive Director

  • May 2014 - Dec 2018

  Eugene, Oregon Area For 5 years, from 2104 to 2019, I was the Managing Director of the RAIN Eugene Accelerator, and Executive Director of the associated Non-Profit, RAIN Eugene. In 2014, I was asked to create an accelerator program to support the startup community in the greater Eugene metro area. I created the program, configured the space, was able to acquire a building to support the accelerator and the supporting programs that fed the pipeline for the accelerator, as well as created a framework for… Show more For 5 years, from 2104 to 2019, I was the Managing Director of the RAIN Eugene Accelerator, and Executive Director of the associated Non-Profit, RAIN Eugene. In 2014, I was asked to create an accelerator program to support the startup community in the greater Eugene metro area. I created the program, configured the space, was able to acquire a building to support the accelerator and the supporting programs that fed the pipeline for the accelerator, as well as created a framework for ongoing community events. During my tenure, I worked with 6 cohorts (a total of 49 companies), several of which went on to raise substantial amounts of capital. The Regional Accelerator & Innovation Network (RAIN) is a consortium of government, higher education, and the business community. RAIN was founded to advance the formation and growth of startup companies throughout the South Willamette Valley. Show less



Sococo

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Special Projects

  • May 2012 - Jun 2013

  At Sococo, I worked as a consultant on a number of strategic projects under the direction of, and reporting to, the Chairman of the Board. My primary focus was strategic research and marketing analysis regarding the potential of untapped vertical niches in the communications space.



GarageGames

• United States
• Software Development
• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Manager

  • May 2005 - Mar 2009

  Eugene, Oregon Area I became one of the owners and a member of the executive team at GarageGames when GarageGames acquired my company, BraveTree, in 2005. I headed up the Games Business Unit as General Manager, reporting directly to the CEO. I was responsible for all product and technology development, every aspect of both internal and external games production, and handled all operational, budgeting, and legal issues. During this period, I managed continuous development and updates to all 7 Torque Game… Show more I became one of the owners and a member of the executive team at GarageGames when GarageGames acquired my company, BraveTree, in 2005. I headed up the Games Business Unit as General Manager, reporting directly to the CEO. I was responsible for all product and technology development, every aspect of both internal and external games production, and handled all operational, budgeting, and legal issues. During this period, I managed continuous development and updates to all 7 Torque Game Engine products, oversaw production of all of our five internal games projects, and managed our portfolio of external games. GarageGames was acquired by IAC in 2007.

• Co-Founder

  • Nov 2001 - May 2005

  Eugene, Oregon Area Acquired by GarageGames/InstantAction BraveTree was my first start-up. I co-founded this company with the goal of creating fun and addictive downloadable games. I designed ThinkTanks, the company’s first gaming product, which quickly gained popularity among players on PC, Mac, Linux, and Xbox Live Arcade. BraveTree was acquired by it's publisher, GarageGames, in 2005 when I was asked to come on board to create and grow their internal game studio.



Dynamix

• Computer Games
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Artist/Designer

  • Jan 1996 - Aug 2001

  Eugene, OR



University of Oregon

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Adjunct Instructor - School of Architecture and Allied Arts

  • Jun 1998 - Sep 2000

  Eugene, Oregon Area