The TGap Team is made up of four components: General Partners, Administration, Advisory Boards, and Limited Partners. The team is a diverse group of individuals, institutions and corporate investors that collectively provide a wealth of knowledge and ability that is relevant in building successful companies. It consists of ventures capitalists, entrepreneurs that have built and exited from successful companies, experienced angel investors, senior executives from NYSE
General Partners
Jack K. Ahrens, II – Jack has been a venture capitalist and fund administrator since 1979; first as President of United Capital Corporation of Illinois (an SBIC), since 1983 as a General Partner of Pathfinder Venture Capital Funds I, II and III and since 2002 Founding General Partner of TGap Ventures. Prior to that he had seven years of experience in bank trust investments and operations. He became a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) in 1982 and has advanced training at the American Institute of Banking, NASBIC Management Institute, and Stanford Advance Management College. He is a graduate of Indiana University.
Peter W. Farner – Pete has been active in venture deals since 1984, first in the formation of a marketing services company in conjunction with $500 million auto supplier. Subsequently he has raised over $50 million in venture capital to fund a variety of start-up and high growth situations. He has served as founder, CEO and in business development roles for a variety of technology, software, and service companies. Pete has negotiated, closed and participated in multi-million dollar consulting, equity participations, and product contracts with more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies, including Anheuser Busch, GE, Compaq, Michelin, and Procter & Gamble. Pete also was a Senior VP with Ryan Partnership (a leading East Coast marketing consulting firm) and held management positions at the Stroh Brewery. Stroh grew from $150 million to $1.3 billion in revenue during his 7-year tenure. He is a graduate of Duke University and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Administration
Nancy K. Francis – Nancy joined TGap at its inception as an independent contractor to provide the back office support and financial reporting. She started working in the venture capital industry with Pathfinder Venture Capital Funds in Minneapolis in 1980 and served in various positions primarily in operations, financial reporting and investor relations. During her tenure at Pathfinder, she also worked for several of Pathfinder’s portfolio companies in the software, medical and facility automation industries. Prior to venture capital she had twelve years of experience in the banking and other industries. Nancy also manages the personal affairs for a wealthy international family. She attended Central Michigan University.