Experience

Ulupono Initiative

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

• President

  • May 2011 - Present

  Honolulu, Hawaii, United States

• President

  • May 2019 - Present

  Honolulu Oversees and manages all aspects of Ulupono Initiative. Guides the investment team on the overall strategy and process, focusing on the best way to achieve Ulupono’s mission using due diligence and analysis.

• Managing Partner

  • Jan 2013 - Present

  Honolulu, Hawaii

• Managing Director

  • May 2011 - Dec 2012

  Honolulu, Hawaii Responsible for accomplishment of Ulupono Initiative's mission to improve Hawaii's sustainability and self-sufficiency through catalytic investments in renewable energy, local food production, and waste reduction. Directed all Ulupono Initiative investments and grantmaking. Led our team to accomplish mission objectives.



SDS Management, LLC

• Deputy Chief Investment Officer

  • Aug 2010 - May 2011

  • Valued and jointly approved direct oil and gas investments including individual existing wells, portfolios of wells in various stages of completion/production, and multi-year exploratory drilling programs • Assessed complex well interest and payout structures and joint venture and operating contract terms • Key player in raising capital for new energy fund – led analytical work, made cash flow forecasts, & provided details of drilling programs in three states each with different… Show more • Valued and jointly approved direct oil and gas investments including individual existing wells, portfolios of wells in various stages of completion/production, and multi-year exploratory drilling programs • Assessed complex well interest and payout structures and joint venture and operating contract terms • Key player in raising capital for new energy fund – led analytical work, made cash flow forecasts, & provided details of drilling programs in three states each with different operating and JV partners • Oversaw accounting functions of all SDS funds including master feeder structure and side pockets Show less



BrightForge Management, LLC

• Principal

  • Jan 2009 - Jul 2010

  • Developed and refined quantitative stock picking models through extensive research and back testing • Created presentations for potential investors detailing strategy, risk management, and back tested returns • Played a key role in explaining strategy and risk to fund of funds, high net worth individuals, and other potential seed investors



SDS Capital Management, LLC

• Managing Director

  • Jan 2003 - Dec 2008

  Long / Short public equity hedge fund and Private Equity fund • Directly aided Chief Investment Officer in managing all SDS Capital Group funds--peak assets about $700 million • Portfolio manager for diversified quantitative long/short equity fund • Portfolio manager for concentrated, quantitative short-only equity fund • Designed quantitative models based on academic and proprietary research and industry expertise to exploit both fundamental and technical signals while controlling… Show more Long / Short public equity hedge fund and Private Equity fund • Directly aided Chief Investment Officer in managing all SDS Capital Group funds--peak assets about $700 million • Portfolio manager for diversified quantitative long/short equity fund • Portfolio manager for concentrated, quantitative short-only equity fund • Designed quantitative models based on academic and proprietary research and industry expertise to exploit both fundamental and technical signals while controlling for numerous sources of risk • Evaluated and made investment recommendations on over 600 privately negotiated investments in public companies • Analyzed investment targets’ financial statements, business prospects, and probability of future catalysts • Structured term sheets and valued complex derivative instruments to maximize return on investment while controlling risk • Formulated the firm’s valuation methodology for convertible bonds and other derivative securities • Produced presentation and marketing materials for current and prospective investors • Played key role in investor meetings describing investment strategies and results and answering investors’ and potential investors’ questions Show less



Banc of America Securities LLC

• Associate

  • Jun 2000 - Dec 2002

  • Developed a valuation model incorporating the research of several nationally renowned finance professors • Advised corporate leadership on pre- and post-acquisition issues including: stock option plans and optimal exercise, restricted stock sales and hedging, tax-efficient investing, and estate planning • Created a risk forecasting model powered by Monte Carlo simulations and the best-fit distributions of 27 traditional and alternative asset classes in addition to standard measures of… Show more • Developed a valuation model incorporating the research of several nationally renowned finance professors • Advised corporate leadership on pre- and post-acquisition issues including: stock option plans and optimal exercise, restricted stock sales and hedging, tax-efficient investing, and estate planning • Created a risk forecasting model powered by Monte Carlo simulations and the best-fit distributions of 27 traditional and alternative asset classes in addition to standard measures of return, risk, and correlation • Assisted in design of an asset management product conducting fundamental research and portfolio risk analysis • Analyzed both traditional and alternative investments and advised clients on asset allocation • Customized portfolios to target niche industries, meet clients’ risk tolerance levels, and fill gaps in asset allocation Show less



US Air Force Special Operations School

• Director, Asia-Pacific Orientation Course

  • Mar 1998 - Aug 1999

  • Recruited top Asia experts and taught hundreds of students annually both at school and bases across U.S. • Conferred with Asian country analysts and policymakers in the Pentagon, Department of State, and National Security Council to get latest information on current issues and US national policy in Asia • Attended: advanced Japanese language immersion training in Tokyo, Japan, Foreign Service Institute's South East Asia Seminar, and National Defense University's Pacific Symposium on… Show more • Recruited top Asia experts and taught hundreds of students annually both at school and bases across U.S. • Conferred with Asian country analysts and policymakers in the Pentagon, Department of State, and National Security Council to get latest information on current issues and US national policy in Asia • Attended: advanced Japanese language immersion training in Tokyo, Japan, Foreign Service Institute's South East Asia Seminar, and National Defense University's Pacific Symposium on Asian Financial Crisis Show less



67th Special Operations Squadron

• Chief of Intelligence Operations

  • Mar 1995 - Mar 1998

  • Awarded Air Force Commendation Medal for 3 years of superior analysis of military, political, economic, and technological data on Europe and Africa. Accurate assessments protected over 70 lives and $160 million in assets • Awarded Joint Service Achievement Medal for forging cohesive intelligence team with ten people from four services supporting multi-national special operations forces in Bosnia. Critical analysis protected over 100 lives and $700 million in assets • Awarded Air Force… Show more • Awarded Air Force Commendation Medal for 3 years of superior analysis of military, political, economic, and technological data on Europe and Africa. Accurate assessments protected over 70 lives and $160 million in assets • Awarded Joint Service Achievement Medal for forging cohesive intelligence team with ten people from four services supporting multi-national special operations forces in Bosnia. Critical analysis protected over 100 lives and $700 million in assets • Awarded Air Force Achievement Medal for providing mission essential data to special operations aircrew, and crisis updates to the multi-national commander and US forces commander in Uganda during Zaire’s civil war • Collected and compiled squadron accomplishments over a year and wrote a 17-page award nomination—led to squadron’s selection as #1 special operations squadron in Europe Show less