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The Principals of BV-Cornerstone Ventures have extensive experience in
both running and investing in expansion stage companies across a variety
of industries. Through
this experience, the Fund’s Principals have forged a broad range of national
and global relationships. BV-Cornerstone’s Principals generally serve on
the Board of Directors of the Fund’s portfolio companies. The Fund’s
Principals are actively involved in helping our portfolio companies with
operational issues, customer introductions, strategic partnerships and
joint ventures, executive
recruiting, fundraising, and mergers and acquisitions.
Tom McCloskey, Managing Director
Mr. McCloskey is a founding Partner of BV-Cornerstone Ventures. He has served
as a general partner in over 50 partnerships and has been involved in a variety
of diverse business activities. He is currently a Chairman or a Director of 8
different companies.
Through his long-time affiliations with Palmer Broadcasting and Palmer Communications,
Mr. McCloskey has been involved with the development of high-technology companies.
From the mid-1980s through the 1990s, Mr. McCloskey transformed the focus of
the Palmer companies from AM and FM radio and television to cable systems and
finally to wireless systems. Palmer Wireless (formerly NASDAQ: PWIR), a subsidiary
of Palmer Communications, was considered by analysts in the mid-1990s to be
one of the best-managed U.S. cellular companies, with below-average churn rates
and increasing cash flow margins.
Mr. McCloskey has also been involved with Horizon Organic Holding Corporation
(NASDAQ: HCOW) since the company's early stages, and served as Chairman
of the Board of the company. Under Mr. McCloskey's guidance, the company
grew
from $3 million in revenues in 1994 to over $200 million in revenues
in 2003 and became the world’s largest organic dairy company.
Mr. McCloskey received his BA from the University of Notre Dame in 1968
and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
in 1972. He
serves as a Trustee of the Thacher School, Ojai, CA., and is a member
of the Advisory Boards of the Mendosa College of Business, and the Gigot
Center for
Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Notre Dame.
Reid Miles, Managing Director
 Mr.
Miles is a Managing Director of BV-Cornerstone Ventures. Drawing upon his deep
knowledge and operational experience, Mr. Miles co-leads BV-Cornerstone Venture's
investment strategy for the Fund's direct and strategic initiatives.
Previously, Mr. Miles served as founder and Managing Director of Blue Water Capital,
where he led numerous venture capital investments in information technology companies.
At Blue Water, Mr. Miles developed a large network of deal flow sources and gained
deep experience in private equity investing. Prior to his career in the venture
capital and private equity business, Mr. Miles obtained more than 10 years operational
experience in the information technology and telecommunications industries with
management positions at NEC America, Inc. and IBM Corporation.
Mr. Miles earned a Bachelor of Arts, Cum Laude, from Claremont McKenna
College. Mr. Miles currently serves as a Director to the Board of STI Knowledge
and Tachyon.
Alexander Vahabzadeh, Managing Director
Mr. Vahabzadeh is Managing Director of BV-Cornerstone Ventures. He is Co-founder and Managing Partner of ARC Global Partners LLC, an international real estate holding company. He is also co-founder of the BV Group of companies. Formed in 1995, BV Group is an international investment firm with significant holdings in private equity and real estate. Mr. Vahabzadeh serves on the advisory board of several leading venture capital and corporate buyout funds. He is also the founder and Chairman of Peracon, the digital real estate transaction network. Prior to 1995, he was a Partner and Managing Director of Summit holdings, responsible for real estate development and investment activities. Mr. Vahabzadeh holds a B.A. in International Business from The George Washington University.
Neville Vere Nicoll, Managing Director
Mr. Vere Nicoll is a founding partner and Managing Director of BV-Cornerstone
Ventures, LP. Mr. Vere Nicoll has been involved in the venture capital and
private equity business for 20 years both as an investor and a CEO
of venture-backed companies.
In 1983, Mr. Vere Nicoll became a founding partner of the UK based Beaverbrook
Group, a venture capital and private equity fund whose primary investments
were in healthcare companies in the United States and Europe. In 1991,
Mr. Vere Nicoll became President and CEO of Soricon Corporation, a manufacturer
of advanced document readers. Soricon raised venture capital from Sequoia
Capital
and Walden VC, did an Initial Public Offering and was sold in 1993. He
then became President & CEO of Kryptonics, a leading manufacturer of
sporting goods products. The company funded its growth with private equity
before being merged
with its major competitor in 1998. In 1998, Mr. Vere Nicoll co founded
Cornerstone Equities, LLC a private investment vehicle and predecessor
to BV-Cornerstone
Ventures.
Mr. Vere Nicoll graduated from the European Business School in Paris, France in 1980.
John Ord, CFO
 Mr.
Ord is co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of BV-Cornerstone Ventures.
He is the acting CFO of several companies within BV-Cornerstone Ventures'
investment
portfolio. Mr. Ord has over 20 years experience in the financial management,
strategic development and acquisition activities of publicly and privately
held companies.
From February 1997 to December 1998, Mr. Ord joined Mr. Vere Nicoll as
the CFO of Kryptonics, a leading manufacturer of sporting goods products.
The company
funded its growth with private equity and mezzanine debt before being merged
with its major competitor in 1998. Mr. Ord also was instrumental in managing
the due diligence requirements for the merger of Kryptonics.
From February 1981 to February 1997, Mr. Ord was Vice President of Finance for
Rustco Products, a $60 million food processor in Denver. During Mr. Ord's 16-year
tenure with Rustco, he managed the complete financial function of the company
including acquisition and divestiture activity along with inventory management
and strategic market analysis.
Mr. Ord has been licensed as a CPA in the state of Colorado. Mr. Ord has undergraduate
degrees in Economics and Business Administration from Colorado State University.
In addition, he has recently received a Masters of Technology Management (MoTM)
degree from the University of Denver.
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