TAFT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS TO THE OHIO VENTURE CAPITAL AUTHORITY
COLUMBUS (November 26, 2003) - Governor Bob Taft today announced appointments to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority.
Amended Substitute Senate Bill 180, signed by Governor Taft earlier this year, created the Ohio Venture Capital Program to provide for the direction of moneys of a private investment fund into loans and investments that are consistent with a general policy adopted by the new Ohio Venture Capital Authority.
"I am committed to increasing the availability of professionally-managed early-stage capital for Ohio's entrepreneurs," Taft said. "The Ohio Venture Capital Authority will play a key role in achieving this objective."
The board consists of 9 total members, 7 of whom are appointed by the Governor. The other two members are the Director of the Ohio Department of Development and the Ohio Tax Commissioner. Members are compensated for expenses only.
Robert W. Briggs, from Akron, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2007. Mr. Briggs is Chairman of Buckingham, Doolittle & Burroughs, LLP. He received his B.A. degree from Duke University and his J.D. degree from The Ohio State University.
Terrence W. Gasper, from Columbus, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2007. Mr. Gasper is Chief Financial Officer of The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation. He received his B.A. degree from John Carroll University and his M.A. degree from Case Western Reserve University.
Karen R. Kleinhenz, from Cleveland Heights, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2006. Ms. Kleinhenz is the former Executive Vice President of Retirement Services for KeyCorp. She received her B.S. degree from John Carroll University, her M.B.A degree from Baldwin-Wallace College, and her PMD from Harvard Business School.
James E. Schwab, from Cincinnati, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2005. Mr. Schwab is the Cincinnati Market President for U.S. Bank. He received his A.B. degree from the University of Cincinnati and his J.D. degree from the University of Michigan.
Rajesh K. Soin, from Dayton, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2005. Mr. Soin is Chairman and Founder of Modern Technologies, Inc. He received his B.S. degree from Delhi University and his M.S. degree from Bradley University.
Eric Von Hendrix, from Cleveland, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2006. Mr. Von Hendrix is president of MWV Pinnacle LLC and MWV Pinnacle Management Company. He received both his B.A. degree and J.D. degree from the University of Maryland, and his M.B.A. degree from Indiana University.
John O. Huston, from Columbus, was appointed to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority for a term ending January 31, 2004. Mr. Huston is CEO of USPrivatecompanies, LLC. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Virginia and his M.B.A. degree from Georgia Southern University.
The Authority is responsible for establishing the terms and conditions of an investment policy governing the deployment of Program Fund monies by the Program Administrator; selecting not more than two Program Administrators qualified to act as fund-of-funds manager(s); structuring and executing a contract with the Program Administrator; and, issuing tax credit certificates for lender losses certified by the Program Administrator.
# # #
Contact: Governor's Communications Office at (614) 644-0957