Thomas O. Gephart
Chair of the 2007 Gala of Stars at ConcordiaUniversity
This year’s 5th annual Gala of Stars is being chaired by Mr. Thomas Gephart, Chairman of Ventana Capital Management, LLC, in Irvine; and a member of ConcordiaUniversity’s President’s Advisory Council. He has also taught classes for ConcordiaUniversity’s MBA Entrepreneur program. “Not only is the Gala of Stars a great opportunity to help the students, it is also a wonderful opportunity to hear the musical talent that ConcordiaUniversity is proud to offer,” said Gephart as he leads an outstanding committee of volunteers with a goal of $250,000 for the student scholarship fund.
Mr. Gephart founded Ventana in 1974. In 1982, Ventana’s Board decided upon a Global Charter for Ventana’s first institutional venture fund, established in 1984. Since then, Mr. Gephart has led the successful global launch of 5 U.S. Technology venture capital and private equity funds. In the past, he has worked with his Latin American Partners to form funds in both Chile and Mexico, but now focuses entirely on U.S. technology companies. As Ventana’s driving force, he has implemented the firm’s proactive investment style, by assisting companies in the necessary business strategies and relationships for introduction to the public capital markets. He pioneered Ventana’s focus in both the high tech and life sciences sectors. He has led the active investment by Ventana’s affiliated funds in 76 portfolio companies in these two sectors, with roles ranging from CEO to Chairman to Director. His long history of actively working shoulder-to-shoulder with the senior management and boards of directors of these companies makes him an ideal person to lead Ventana’s activities in these areas.
Prior to the formation of Ventana, Mr. Gephart held executive positions with AMP, Inc., Bunker-Ramo Corporation, Hughes Aircraft and Interlink, Co. He has served as Chairman and a director of numerous public and private companies, including: Fidelica Microsystems; HemaCare Corporation; Infrasonics, Inc.; Maxim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; MedicalImagingCenters of America, Inc.; R2 Medical Systems, Inc.; SenDx Medical, Inc.; and Tickets.com.
In addition to serving on the Board at ConcordiaUniversity, Mr. Gephart remains actively involved with several civic and business organizations including the UC San Diego CONNECT program, World Affairs Council, Association for Corporate Growth, the International Protocol Foundation, the USC School of Engineering Dean’s Board of Councilors, and the Leadership Forum for the TechnologyCoast. Mr. Gephart earned a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from the University of Southern California.