KEVIN B. HOWARD
Chairman of the board
Kevin launched AWM utilizing AI and deep learning with the
intent of making Smart Shelf the go-to retail platform for
customer engagement and shopper behavior/store operations
analytics. As CEO he is responsible for AWM's long-term
vision and global strategy. Prior to AWM, Kevin was the CEO
of ICG, a full-service digital media firm. Under his leadership,
ICG grew from a shared office with two desks to a digital format
leader serving globally known Fortune 500 brands, college and
professional sports venues and even government agencies. Prior
to this, Kevin was an executive at Wells Fargo, UBS Financial,
and Smith Barney, specializing in technology, asset management,
capital raises and corporate guidance. Kevin has also owned
businesses in a wide spectrum of sectors ranging from alternative
energy to a professional motocross team.
MICHAEL S. BEAUDOIN II
Michael Beaudoin currently invests in private equities, including
providing venture capital, to rapidly growing early stage companies
for Mark IV Capital; located in Newport Beach, CA.
Prior to joining Mark IV Capital, Michael took part in AT&T’s Leadership
Development Program where he created and operated AT&T’s Aspire
Accelerator. This accelerator was focused on enhancing education
by supporting and mentoring the most promising and innovative
ed-tech companies that have the potential to help every student
achieve a bright, successful future.
Michael began his career in investment and commercial banking at Merrill Lynch and
later went on to serve as a Vice President at both JPMorgan
Chase and Deutsche Bank where he led teams focused on wealth
management.
Michael graduated with a BS from Ball State University
in 2001 and an MBA from Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of
Business in 2011. His MBA degree included certificates in “Social, Ethical,
& Environmental Responsibility” and “Dispute Resolution” from the Pepperdine
University School of Law.
Michael is also the proud father of his twins Ty
and Carson and happily married to his supportive wife Katelyn.
JOEL CONNER
Mr. Conner, Executive Chairman of Bellisio Foods, Inc.,
has been with the Company since it was founded in 1990
leading the Company through family ownership and the $340MM,
management/private-equity buyout in 2011. Doubling sales and
profits in the next 5 years, resulted in the sale of the Company
to Charoen Pokphand Foods of Bangkok, Thailand for $1.1 billion
US in December of 2016. Mr. Conner now guides CP Foods' expansion
objectives in North America.
In 2017 Mr. Conner was named E&Y
Entrepreneur of the Year. He is the former Chairman of the Board
of Regis Corporation (NYSE:RGS) and for 24 years served on the
Worldwide Board of Directors of ENACTUS. He is a past Chairman
of Children’s HeartLink, on the Advisory Board of the Alan Page
Education Foundation and an “Ambassador” for Mayo Clinic.
Mr. Conner earned a Bachelor of Science, Cornell University, and a
Doctor of Law-Honorabilia, Flagler College.
VINCENT JACKSON
Vincent is a partner at The Contrarian Group in Newport Beach, CA.
He has responsibility for all technology related investments.
He has held management positions at the largest IT training
company as well as a major Internet marketing agency.
Vincent has a degree from College of the Desert, he updates
and maintains education through certifications at Princeton
University, San Diego University and Rice University among others.
Vincent and his wife live in Corona Del Mar, CA.
GREG REED
Greg Reed brings more than 18 years of experience handling acquisitions and refinances on properties nationwide. During that time he has drawn on a variety of loan programs, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, balance sheet, bridge, life company and CMBS executions. He also has worked with a broad range of loan structures, including fixed and floating rate debt, tax-exempt bonds, construction loans and credit facilities. He has originated more than $10 billion in multifamily loans since 2005. Mr. Reed co-founded the Newport Beach, California office with his partner Kristen Croxton in 2011, expanding the company’s focus in the Western United States. Since that time he has successfully originated more than $5.5 billion in loans. Formerly a Vice President of origination for Deutsche Bank Berkshire Mortgage. Mr. Reed and his current team place debt on multifamily and commercial assets nationwide primarily through Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Bank, CMBS and FHA programs. In 2018 the Newport Beach office originated $2 billion in agency loans. Mr. Reed holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Berkeley with an emphasis on Real Estate Finance and Economics.
JACK CRAWFORD
Jack is a California native whose 20-year career in local “company building” has evolved from CPA to entrepreneur to venture capitalist. As a CPA with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Jack saw a wide range of businesses and was inspired to start his own, including one of the first Internet Service Providers in Sacramento, Campus Engine. In 2000, he was recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by the Money Hunt television show. Jack launched Velocity Venture Capital in 2005 to provide capital for entrepreneurs focused on IT products that would positively impact the world. Jack has combined his front-line entrepreneurial operating experience with venture capital investments to help drive the success of some of the most promising companies. He is an alumnus of the Kauffman Fellows program, Harvard Business School’s “Private Equity & Venture Capital” executive program, and the Venture Capital Institute. Jack earned a B.S. degree in Accounting from Arizona State University and is a Certified Public Accountant in California.
NICOLA TEDESCO
Nicola oversees the M&A and Corporate Development activities at Datalogic, the global leader in the automatic data capture and process automation markets. As a passionate investor and manager, Nicola has executed and exited several investments throughout his career at institutions of the likes of Citi, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, and Datalogic.
As an active Board Member at AWM, Nicola supports the growth of AWM by contributing vast knowledge of the equity markets and a solid network of VC investors and managers.
Nicola earned a Bachelor in Business Administration from Bocconi University and a Master Degree from ESCP Europe.