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Gavin M. Turner, Managing Partner
Gavin Turner is a Managing Partner and founder of Mainsail Partners. In addition to leading new investments, Gavin is actively involved as a board member for Mainsail’s portfolio companies. Prior to founding Mainsail Partners, Gavin was a Vice President responsible for west coast media and communications investments at Summit Partners, a leading private equity firm with over $7 billion under management. During his seven years at Summit Partners, Gavin completed 14 investments totaling over $200 million of capital. Gavin previously served on the Board of Directors of Systech Corporation and held a senior management position at Sirenza Microdevices, Inc. (an investment he sourced and completed while at Summit which was ultimately acquired by RFMD for $900 million). Gavin received an A.B. in Economics, with Honors, from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business.
C. Jason Payne, Managing Partner
C. Jason Payne is a Managing Partner and founder of Mainsail Partners. In addition to co-managing the firm, Jason is actively involved as an advisor to Mainsail CEOs through his role as a board member for Mainsail’s portfolio companies. In addition to his involvement with Mainsail, Jason sits on the advisory board of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC), a division of the Smithsonian Institute, and enjoys spending time with his family (wife, 2 daughters and a yellow lab.)
Earlier in his career, Jason co- founded WiredCapital, a venture-backed technology company now part of HCL Technologies, and held a variety of roles with American Dental Partners (NASDAQ: ADPI), a dental practice management company. During his tenure with ADPI, Jason helped grow the business from start-up to over $130 million in revenues and over 1,500 employees through a combination of acquisitions and organic growth. Jason began his career with Summit Partners, a private equity firm with over $7 billion under management. Jason received an A.B. in International Relations from Stanford University.
Andrew D. Polacek, Associate
Andrew Polacek is responsible for sourcing and executing new investments as well as working with current portfolio companies. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Andy worked in the Media, Sports, and Entertainment Group at Houlihan Lokey in Los Angeles, advising clients on valuations, financing, and buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisition representation. Previously, Andy was a summer analyst at Legacy Partners Group, a boutique investment bank, in New York City. Andy graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with degrees in Economics, magna cum laude and with distinction, and Business Administration, with distinction.
Bret Shimizu, Associate
Bret Shimizu is responsible for sourcing and executing new investments as well as working with current portfolio companies. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Bret was an analyst in the Technology Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Lehman Brothers. Before Lehman Brothers, Bret worked as an intern at vSpring Capital, a venture capital firm. Bret has also worked with several Silicon Valley-based start-ups on technology and business development projects. Bret received a B.S. in Management, Science and Engineering at Stanford University and was a member of Stanford's Varsity Soccer Team.
Kyle G. Hency, Associate
Kyle Hency is responsible for sourcing and executing new investments as well as working with current portfolio companies. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Kyle was an analyst in the Technology Group at Lazard Frères, concentrating on mergers and acquisitions advisory work for internet and e-commerce companies. Kyle received an A.B. in Economics at Stanford University and was captain of Stanford’s Varsity Soccer Team.
Sheldon Lewis, Associate
Sheldon Lewis is responsible for sourcing and executing new investments as well as working with current portfolio companies. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Shledon was an analyst in the Technology Group at Piper Jaffray, where he specialized in equity financings, restructurings and mergers and acquisitions advisory work. Before Piper Jaffray, Sheldon was an analyst at Transition Partners, a venture capital firm. Sheldon graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.S. in Finance, with distinction, and an M.S. in Accounting, with distinction.
Zac Carman, Entrepreneur in Residence
Zac Carman is an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) at Mainsail Partners focusing on technology enabled services. In addition to searching for an entrepreneurial venture, Zac evaluates new opportunities and assists portfolio companies with operations. Prior to becoming an EIR, Zac was a Senior Associate with Mainsail Partners and was responsible for sourcing and executing transactions as well as working with portfolio companies. Before Mainsail, Zac held operating roles of increasing responsibility in engineering, project management, and enterprise sales at Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (GST) and IBM Storage Technology Division. While at Hitachi GST, Zac identified and executed outsourcing and consolidation efforts resulting in annual savings in excess of $10 million. Zac received an A.B. in Engineering Sciences from Dartmouth College.
Lars Ahlstrom, Chief Financial Officer
Lars Ahlstrom has extensive experience in the private equity and venture capital industry, having worked extensively with leading firms such as Golden Gate Capital, Storm Ventures, Silicon Prairie Partners and International Equity Ventures. He has held CFO and Controller positions in several other companies, including XenSource, All Bases Covered, the American Basketball League, ISDA & Co, Esprit International and Leasing Solutions. Lars received a B.S. in Industrial Engineering, with Distinction, from Stanford University and an M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from the UCLA Graduate School of Management.
Alexandra Kearns, Office Manager
Alexandra Kearns is Mainsail’s Office Manager and Event Coordinator. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Alex worked as an Executive Assistant with JPMorgan’s Private Bank and as an Administrative Assistant at Flad & Associates. Alex received an A.B. in Political Science with minors in Spanish and Sociology from the University of California at Davis.
Courtney Esposto, Executive Assistant
Courtney Esposto is the Executive Assistant to Gavin Turner and C. Jason Payne. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Courtney worked as the second assistant to the CEO of Apple, and as an Office Manager at Aquilo Partners, a boutique investment bank focused on life sciences. Courtney received an A.B. in Liberal Studies from the University of the Pacific and was a member of Pacific’s Division I Field Hockey Team.
Sarita Ray, Office Assistant
Sarita Ray is Mainsail's Office Assistant. Prior to Mainsail Partners, Sarita worked as the Public Relations Coordinator for Live Nation - Southwest, the largest concert promoter in the world, where she was responsible for securing media coverage for each event in Arizona, Las Vegas and New Mexico. Sarita recieved an A.B. in Communications with a minor in Business from the University of Arizona.
John Freidenrich, Member of the Investment Committee
John Freidenrich received his bachelor's degree and LLD from Stanford University and began his career as a lawyer, starting the law firm of Ware & Freidenrich in 1968, now part of DLA Piper Rudnick, one of Silicon Valley's preeminent firms serving the technology community. John also founded the venture capital firm, Bay Partners in 1976 and led the firm for over a quarter century. He has been closely involved with Stanford University, where he was a member of the Board of Trustees for a decade and Chairman of the Board for four years in the mid-1990s. John is currently Chairman of the Board, Packard Children's Hospital, and Director of Stanford Hospital and Clinics.
Robert F.X. Burlinson, Member of the Investment Committee
Robert F.X. Burlinson is the Chief Investment Officer and co-founder of Regis Management Company, a money management firm. Bob previously worked as a Principal for Industrial Growth Partners, a private equity firm focused on middle-market manufacturing businesses. Bob also executed public and private financings and merger advisory assignments for Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc. and Kidder, Peabody & Co. Bob began his career in the private placements group of Manufacturers Hanover Securities Corporation. Bob received an A.B. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
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