Young Finance Professionals

Scott Petty, Managing Director at vSpring Capital - September 9th noon at the Zions Bank Founder’s Room

Scott knows how to add value from the outside in.  As a consultant with Bain & Company for seven years, he worked with more than 16 IT and non-IT companies, re-engineering their strategies for optimum results.

Prior to vSpring, Scott was COO and a Board Director of Zuka Juice, a retail organization selling nutritional products. Under Scott’s leadership, Zuka Juice grew from its first store to 96 retail units and over 400 employees. Zuka Juice was acquired by Jamba Juice (NASDAQ:JMBA), a venture backed competitor.

Scott serves on the Board of Directors of the Lassonde New Venture Development Center at the University of Utah. He also serves on the National Directors Council at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.

Scott received a BS in Economics from Brigham Young University and a MBA from the Harvard Business School. Scott has led vSpring’s investments in Alianza, Alpha Bay, comScore (NASDAQ:SCOR), Control4, FamilyLink, Infusionsoft, LignUp, Public Engines, SwarmBuilder,  Zonder and Cerberian which was acquired by Blue Coat Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:BCSI).

Gary Crocker, Chairman of Merrimack Pharmaceuticals and President of Crocker Ventures, LLC, April 21st, Noon, Zions Bank Founder’s Room

Gary Crocker initially invested in Merrimack and joined the Board in 2004, and was elected as Chairman in the spring of 2005. Mr. Crocker is President of Crocker Ventures, LLC, a life science private investment firm. He is in the midst of his second term on the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Branch of San Francisco and also serves as a member of the Advisory Board of Sorenson Capital, an LBO private equity fund. He has held senior executive or director level positions in several successful life science firms including service from 1998 to 2003 as Chairman of ARUP Laboratories, as a director of Interleuken Genetics, Inc, and LineaGen Genetics, LLC., and as a co-founder and director of Theratech, Inc. which was acquired in 1999 by Watson Pharmaceuticals. From 1983 to 1997, he was President/CEO and founder of Research Medical, Inc., a publicly traded cardiac device manufacturer acquired by Baxter International in 1997. Prior to Research Medical, Mr. Crocker was Vice President, Business Development and Director of Marketing for the Sorenson Research division of Abbott Laboratories, and an Internal Strategic Analyst for Baxter International. He was recently inducted into the University of Utah Science Hall of Fame, and serves as a director of the University’s Research Foundation. Mr. Crocker earned both his MBA and also graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Harvard University.

Eric Jacobsen, Managing Partner & Co-founder, Dolphin Capital, Aug 19th, Noon, Zion’s Bank Founder’s Room

Eric is the managing partner and founder of Dolphin Capital, a boutique private equity fund which focuses on investments in companies with significant growth capital. Eric was CEO of Winder Farms for two years after Dolphin acquired the company and transformed it from a no-growth milk delivery company into the nation’s fastest growing grocery home delivery company.

Before Winder Farms, Eric founded Home Financial Network, a pioneer in the online banking space. That company sold to Sybase in 2000. Mr. Jacobsen also purchased and ran MECA Software, a consumer product tax software company. Under his direction, the company went public and then sold to H&R Block in 1994.

Beyond being an avid entrepreneur, he sits on a number of boards including Ragnar Events, Winder Farms, Dynamic Confections, Little Giant Ladder and St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH.

He is a dedicated adventure racer and recently traveled the world for seven months with his family.

Eric received a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University.

Click Here to view Eric’s Presentation

Bruce Bingham, Founding Partner, Hamilton Partners, May 15th, Noon, Zion’s Bank Founder’s Room

Bruce Bingham is a founding partner of Hamilton Partners with the responsibility for overseeing office, industrial and retail development, marketing, leasing, acquisition and management activities in Salt Lake City and Utah.  During the past 30-years, he has been responsible for the development of approximately 5 million square feet of office and industrial properties with a value of approximately $225 million dollars.   Mr. Bingham has had extensive experience in land planning, zoning, entitlement and the development of vacant land and the subsequent use of the property for commercial development.

Prior to joining Hamilton Partners, Mr. Bingham was a partner with the Trammell Crow Company in Chicago.  While at the Trammell Crow Company, he was responsible for the development, leasing and management of suburban industrial properties.

Since moving to Utah to open an office of Hamilton Partners, Mr. Bingham has been involved in the purchase of several office buildings in downtown Salt Lake City including the Newhouse Building, the Boston Building, the Broadway Centre, and the development of a 459,000 square foot Silver LEED certified 22-story office building on Main Street.

Bruce Bingham earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and his Masters in Management from the Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.

Civic responsibilities in the Salt Lake area include serving on the Executive Committee of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, serving as the Chair of the Downtown Alliance, serving as President of the Days of ‘47 Pioneer Celebration, serving on the Executive Committee of Enterprise Mentors International and serving as President of the English Skills Learning Center.

Greg Miller, CEO, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, April 21st, Noon, Zion’s Bank Founder’s Room

As chief executive officer of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, Greg Miller oversees all automotive, sports and entertainment, and real estate divisions.  These holdings include 40 automotive dealerships and one motorcycle dealership located throughout six Western states; credit, insurance and advertising agencies; two professional sports teams; a motorsports park and an arena; an independent television station; restaurant and catering companies; a sports apparel retail chain; movie theaters; and an office complex.

Miller assumed his current position in July 2008 but has worked in the family business since 1979, when his father, Larry H. Miller, purchased his first auto dealership – a Toyota store located in Murray, Utah.  Greg Miller, who was 13 at the time, began his career by sweeping floors and working in the parts department.  Since then, the group has expanded into one of the nation’s 200 largest privately-owned companies.

Miller has 29 years experience working in a variety of positions that enabled him to learn the family business firsthand.  During that time, he focused on areas ranging from finance to minor league hockey.  His many accomplishments include: starting up Performance Automotive, which provides chemicals, printing and specialty products to auto dealerships; managing several multimillion dollar construction projects; and serving as general manager of both a Toyota and a Honda dealership.

Prior to his current position, Miller oversaw construction and had operational oversight of Miller Motorsports Park, in Tooele, Utah.  During his tenure, he was instrumental in developing and improving sales and marketing operations.  The state-of-the-art motorsports park garnered international recognition within its first year of opening.

Miller has served on the boards of several philanthropic organizations including: Larry H. Miller Charities; the Ron Boone Golf Classic benefiting the Huntsman Cancer Institute; the Utah Bicycle Coalition; and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.

An avid cyclist, Miller logs thousands of miles on his bike each year, and his interest in cycling led to several family vacations at the Tour de France.  He currently is chairman of the Tour of Utah, a multistage bicycle race that climbs 30,000 feet and is over 300 miles long.  Miller has played a significant role in the race’s growth and success.

During his teens, Miller developed an interest and appreciation of cars that continues today.  He still owns his first automobile, a 1965 Mustang fastback.

Miller has three brothers and one sister, and is the oldest child of Larry H. and Gail Miller.  He is married to Heidi Black Miller.  They are the parents of six children (three sons and three daughters), and their family resides in Sandy, Utah.

Rick Alden, Founder & CEO of Skullcandy, Dec 18th, noon, Zion’s Bank Founder’s Room

Rick Alden is the founder and CEO of Utah based Skullcandy, creators of headphones, mp3 player watches, audio accessories and other audio-enabled products, such as backpacks with built-in speakers and iPod controls. Alden’s Park City, UT business hit $35.7 million in sales last year (2007), according to Inc. (magazine).

While working for his Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Colorado at Boulder, Alden co-founded his first company, National Snowboard Inc (NSI), with Jim Gardner in 1986. Alden later sold NSI to the American Ski Association in 1991. After years of snowboarding, Alden launched his second venture in 1995, designing and patenting the first ever step-in snowboard boot and binding system. This venture was co-founded with snowboard industry veteran Brett Conrad, and launched under the brand name, Device Manufacturing. Four years later, Alden sold Device Manufacturing to Atomic Ski Company.

In 2003, Alden formed Skullcandy. The first Skullcandy product – the Skullcandy™ Portable LINK – was introduced at the 2003 Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, where it won its first Design and Innovation Award. A few weeks later, the brand was launched to the action sports industry at the Snow Industries America (SIA) show.

The CEO of Skullcandy, Alden, was named one of vSpring Capital’s “Top 100 Venture Entrepreneurs” of 2008, and holds a patent for technology that integrates mobile phones and music players.

In September 2008, Alden was featured on CNBC’s The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch, starring Donny Deutsch. In 2008, he was also featured in Inc. (magazine) “Inc 5000 Award” for Skullcandy’s three-year (2004-2007) growth of 24,077.4%.

In addition to Alden’s entrepreneurship, he is the holder of numerous patents in the snowboarding, audio and electronics industry and fly fishing industries, including a design patent for the Orvis Batternkill Large Arbor Fly Fishing Reel.

He is a known resident of Park City, Utah where he lives with his wife (Holly) and four children (Preston, Brooklyn, Autumn, Tyler). He and his wife, Holly Alden, have been married since 1989.

Fraser Bullock, Co-Founder and Managing Director Sorenson Capital-Sept 24th, noon, Zion’s Bank Founder’s Room

Mr. Bullock is a co-founder of Sorenson Capital and a Managing Director. Mr. Bullock was the President and CEO of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002. He joined the Organizing Committee in May of 1999 and acted as its Chief Operating Officer until his appointment as President and CEO in April 2002. As COO, Mr. Bullock directed Games Operations, and as CFO, he played a key role in balancing the budget of $1.31 billion for staging the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, ultimately generating a $100 million profit. The Salt Lake Games are widely recognized as one of the most successful and best operated in history.

Mr. Bullock was an original Partner of Bain Capital from 1984 to 1986. Prior to his experience at Bain Capital, Mr. Bullock was employed by Bain & Company, initially as a consultant and later as a manager.

In 1996 Mr. Bullock founded Alpine Consolidated, LLC, a company specializing in effecting business consolidations, and served as a Managing Director until 2002. In this capacity, Mr. Bullock sourced companies for consolidation, raised the requisite money and negotiated terms.

Mr. Bullock received a Master of Business Administration and a B.A. in Economics from Brigham Young University.

Lane Beattie, President Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce - Aug 28th, noon, Zions Bank Founder’s Room

For over 25 years Lane Beattie has been a real estate broker and developer by profession. 

Lane Beattie was elected to the Utah State Senate in 1989. In 1991 he served as Senate Majority Whip and in 1992 became Majority leader and in 1994 was elected Utah Senate President. He served as president for six years until June 2000.

Senator Beattie was chairman of Business, Labor and Economic Development Standing committees in his first year in the Senate.

Beattie proposed and implemented some of the most sweeping changes in the legislative process in several decades, including total internet access for legislators as well as the public. This made the legislative process significantly more efficient and allowed more legislator and citizen involvement. 

The president is highly respected among his colleagues. Senator Craig Peterson, former Senate Majority Leader, made the following observation: “Under President Beattie’s leadership, the Senate has become more efficient, productive, professional, and more open to the public. He led the Senate in major tax reforms and reductions across the state which have saved taxpayers millions of dollars.”

W President Beattie has been a guest speaker and lecturer locally, nationally, and internationally.

In 1996 President Beattie was invited to address the European Union in Florence, Italy to speak on Federalism and State’s rights.

In 1998 President Beattie was elected as Chairman of the National Senate Presidents Forum representing all United States Senate Presidents.

In 1999 President Beattie was invited to head a delegation from the United States on an official visit to China as a guest of the Vice-President of China.

After 12 years in the Senate in March of 2000, President Beattie surprised both local and national leaders by announcing he would not seek re-election and was returning to private business.

In June 2000, Governor Leavitt asked Lane to accept the post as Chief State Olympic Officer for the State of Utah to oversee and manage the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. 

President Beattie assumed leadership of the Salt Lake Chamber on July 1, 2003. By unanimous vote, the Chamber Board of Governors chose Beattie after an exhaustive process that considered 95 candidates from across Utah. “We were looking for someone who needed no introduction,” says A. Scott Anderson, Chamber Board of Governors co-chair. “Lane has the experience and reputation to help the Chamber play a bigger role in our community and state. He has been around for a long time and knows all the key players. He has seen where Salt Lake has been and has the vision to take it into the future.”

President Beattie and his wife, Joy, are the parents of three children and the proud grandparents of three wonderful grandsons and a beautiful granddaughter. President Beattie enjoys golf, skiing, and raises quarter horses and is a Utah State Quarter Horse Team-Penning Champion. 

David Carter, Serial Entrepreneur and Experienced Investor - June 26th, Noon, Zions Bank Founder’s Room

Having a long history of both entrepreneurship and involvement with venture capital, David Carter continues to enjoy seeing new technologies reach market adoption. Currently a Manager at private venture firm Upside Investments LLC, Mr. Carter has served on the board and invested in several companies including Cerberian (sold to Blue Coat (NASDAQ: BCSI), Zorch (sold to First Consulting Group (NASDAQ: FCGI), and Oakley Networks (funded by Kleiner Perkins and sold to Raytheon (NYSE: RTN).   Mr. Carter is currently a board member and early investor in CrimeReports, a developer of online law enforcement and public communications technology.  

At one of his own technology ventures, Mr. Carter served as founder, President and CEO of S5 Wireless, a world-leading developer of ultra-low cost, long-range, next-generation wireless location and telemetry technology that is successfully being implemented in consumer, enterprise and government applications.  Under his strategic direction, S5 Wireless has executed key milestones marking core technology developments, creating strategic partnerships, recruiting key management, and raising over $20 million from influential investors.  S5 Wireless is now poised for a strong entrance and leading role in the growing Location-Based Service (LBS) applications market—a sector that ABI Research values at $25 billion dollars by 2010. 

Prior to joining S5 Wireless, Mr. Carter was an Entrepreneur in Residence for Wasatch Venture Fund (Epic Ventures), a Draper Fisher Jurvetson affiliate.  In this role, he consulted the fund’s portfolio companies, providing strategic management expertise and financing support.  

From 1997 to 2000, Mr. Carter was Founder, President and CEO of Thoughtstar, the internet application developer of QuickTeam.  There, Mr. Carter developed the idea for the business’ principal product, QuickTeam.  His efforts led to the eventual enterprise sale of the software to Cisco, and subsequent acquisition of the company by iManage (NASDAQ:  IMAN), now Interwoven (NASDAQ:  IWOV). 

Mr. Carter made his first foray into the world of technology start-ups in 1988 with Vertical Technogies. Under his leadership as founder, President and CEO, the products Bar-One^TM and Barcode Anything^TM were developed and brought to market, quickly becoming the market leaders for retail barcode software.  In 1995, Vertical Technologies received the Utah 100 Award from the Mountain West Venture Group for the 20^th fastest growing company in Utah.  The company was subsequently sold to Zebra Technologies (NASDAQ: ZBRA), where Mr. Carter served as President of the newly created subsidiary.  Under his continued strategic direction, sales tripled in less than six months.   

Today, Mr. Carter is a member of the National Advisory Council for Weber State University, the Technology Advisory Council for Westminster College, and of vSpring v100. He also participates in Utah Angels, the investment committee for Kickstart Ventures, and he sits on the board of a number of charitable organizations.  

Mr. Carter has spoken at numerous industry events and has been quoted in major publications including Financial Times, Forbes, Business Week, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News, The Seattle Times, USA Today, Conde Nest Portfolio, Motley Fool, Kiplinger, and many others. 

Mr. Carter received a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Weber State University.