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Co-founder and CFO of The Infinite Monkey Theorem, Inc.

Why did you decide to come to Leeds? 
I knew Leeds offered a strong entrepreneurial MBA program in a great venture capital community. Also, I wanted to stay in Colorado for work, and I knew the Leeds alumni network would help me connect to job opportunities in Colorado.

Could you share an experience or two that was particularly memorable at Leeds?
My first year group was amazing. We all possessed different professional backgrounds, none of which were based in business. Since everything was new to us, we all needed to focus from the get-go to learn the course material and cases. We quickly became close, and while we definitely struggled with the material at points, it was the best way to learn and feel confident. Whatever special algorithm Leeds used to join us, it worked. Leeds could sell that algorithm! Shout out to Stacy Cremers, Sean Tufts, and William Riseley - Group A2!

Any particular professors or mentors that influenced you while you were at Leeds?
Of course! Everyone was fantastic and very knowledgeable, but I think the standouts were the professors that made the courses fun and got everyone engaged. Professor Bjorn Jorgensen for Accounting, Professor Ronald Melicher for Finance, Professor Thomas Vossen for Decision Modeling, Professor Chris Leach for E-finance, and Professor Nathalie Moyen for Derivatives. She was awesome, and taught the (by far) most challenging course. Honestly, everyone was fun and full of energy; it made me feel good about choosing this program.

Where has life taken you since you graduated Leeds?
I moved to Texas! Yes it’s ironic, since part of the reason I came to Leeds was to stay in Colorado. I was fortunate to be introduced to a winemaker who was starting his own wine brand, and we were able to create, raise money, and build the business plan and strategy while I was at Leeds. I received great feedback from my fellow candidates, and it helped us grow into what we are today! We opened a winery in Austin that makes highly-rated Texas wine. We were also one of the first wineries in the US to can wine, and now we have grown from producing 2,000 to more than 100,000 cases annually, and we distribute across the country.

What is one piece of advice/best practice that has stuck with you throughout your career?
I am really bad about taking this piece of advice, but it’s important. Do not take everything so personally. Business should be about building relationships and enjoying the people you do business with; surrounding yourself with people you can trust and ask favors of, and vice versa. Reciprocity! As I grow older, this becomes more apparent to me every day, and I wish I didn't burn a few bridges over situations that were tiny blips in my career when I was younger.

This past September you celebrated 10th birthday; what are you most excited about moving forward?
I’m excited about new challenges. Literally every case or article you read about a business revolves around hard choices and challenges, and I’ve found that the successful strategy is the one not often considered. I am excited to tackle those challenges in a creative way and see where the next ten years leads us.  

Are there any exciting plans for the future?
Yes! We are opening up two more taprooms and one of our major facilities will be upgraded, but I cannot get specific right now.

To nominate yourself or a fellow Leeds alumnus or alumna to be in an upcoming alumni newsletter, !

October 2018