Founder and Managing Partner

Chere Heintzmann is an experienced leader with over 35 years experience as an executive in the technology industry working for Fortune 100 companies as well as overseeing startups. As an executive for corporate giants, AT&T and Walt Disney Company, she has managed a workforce of 2,000 plus employees with a revenue stream of $2 Billion. Chere has launched several companies in the mobile, broadband, and maritime technology sectors as well as supported corporate restructuring and growth efforts in the aviation, cybersecurity, mobile banking and nano tech sectors. Chere currently leads the restructuring of a national Cancer Research Foundation with governance, partner, contract and growth strategy oversight.

In addition to Chere’s corporate experience, Chere has a passion for entrepreneurship and uplifting women as they progress through their careers. She teaches an entrepreneur program as well as mentors emerging and existing leaders.

Managing Partner

Bill has been a successful executive, thought leader and visionary in the satellite industry for over thirty years. His leadership has led to the creation of several new markets that drive the satellite industry today, including direct-to-home television, satellite mobility for the maritime and aviation industries and new satellite antenna technologies that have enabled low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite services.

He has extensive experience raising money to support the growth of his companies, which exceeds $5 billion, and has a lengthy track record of delivering strong returns to his investors and shareholders.

For the past ten years, Bill has served as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Development Officer for Kymeta Corporation. Kymeta, which was started and backed by Bill Gates, has developed a holographic beam-forming, meta-material satellite antenna that is used widely by the U.S. Department of Defense and many other Ministries of Defense from around the world. This technology also enables all NGSO satellites to connect to a single user terminal. Prior to that, he was the CEO and Chairman of the Board of Maritime Telecommunications Network (MTN), which was the largest “managed service” satellite provider in the world. MTN’s customer segments included, the U.S. DoD, U.S. government agencies, cruise lines, yachts, remote communities, oil and gas, aviation and news agencies.

In 2007, Bill won the prestigious Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his role there. Earlier in his career, he was one of the founders and President of DBS Direct / DIRECTV, which was the first direct-to-home satellite television network in the world. Before getting involved with satellite, he held several executive roles in the cable TV industry.

Managing Partner

Vladica (Lisa) Nelson is a finance executive, Board Director and philanthropist. Lisa brings 30 years of operational leadership and strategy execution in the highly regulated global trading and financial services industry.

Having pioneered a variety of C-Suite roles at the premiere global interdealer broker ICAP, now TP ICAP, Lisa has expertise in P&L management, business development, client partnerships and pricing. She restructured global business units and steered the business through numerous transformations and acquisitions.

Her current advisory practice centers around accelerating growth for the next generation of disruptors & innovators. In the boardroom, Lisa has experience in Governance, Risk and Communications Committees across her private and non-profit directorships.

Partner

Meet Al King, a highly accomplished dynamic impact executive leader with over 35 years’ experience and a proven track record. Al King has held numerous diverse executive, and senior managerial positions throughout the biotech, utility, renewable energy, wireless and textile sales, service and technology industries.

Al King served as CMO and President of Sales for NanoVapor Biotech, an innovation and technology company in Houston, TX. Before this, he was CEO and founder of 360 Managed Services based in Houston. Al also served as COO and CSO for SunShare Community Solar, Head of Residential Marketing for USA and Canada, Retail Sales for Direct Energy, Area President for Cricket Communications, VP Regional Vice President of Sales, Distribution, and Marketing with MetroPCS, and Midwest Area Vice President for Sprint and Nextel Partners.

Al helps companies launch new innovative products, birth new technologies, exceed sales goals, build a stronger brand, and solve complex challenges that require strategic and motivating leadership. He is a seasoned executive with diverse cross-functional experience in sales, marketing, operations, technology development, merger & acquisitions, culture development, and corporate strategy. His specialties are in Sales & Marketing, Operations, Technology, and Company Growth, and driving accelerated results while ensuring high customer satisfaction levels.

He is recognized as an impact servant leader who develops high-performing teams that deliver results while having fun and has been responsible for groups of 500+ and P&L responsibilities to $2B oversite. As a strategist, he is recognized for his ability to anticipate and capitalize on market performance, leverage market and brand positioning, and accelerate profitable results.

As a turnaround specialist, Al King has been repeatedly handed the most challenging projects because he thrives on opportunities to turn historically unproductive teams and operations into rich profit centers in fast-paced technology, autonomous environments. With a BBA in Operational Management and an MBA in Human Resource Management, and a secondary concentration in Marketing. He is deeply vested in his community and dedicated to helping others reach new heights. His volunteer projects have included feeding the homeless, and partnering with groups like AUSL, and Rebuilding America, Philanthropy, and Ministry work, to name a few.

He enjoys fishing, golfing, archery, and hunting away from work. He is also a highly decorated martial artist with a fifth-degree black belt in taekwondo.

Partner

Russ served on the board of directors for several early-stage companies in advanced transportation and energy industrial technologies. He was previously managing partner at NEXA Capital Partners, a provider of investment banking and advisory services for aerospace and technology companies.

As former president and chief operating officer of JetBlue Airways, Chew is credited with the successful turnaround of its operational business foundation, having optimized the integrity and efficiency across the airline’s flight, maintenance & engineering, airport, inflight services, safety, compliance, security, and IT operations.

During his four years as chief operating officer of the Federal Aviation Administration, Chew was responsible for its air traffic control services; as well as the agency’s capital acquisition, research and development, and engineering programs. Under his leadership, the FAA reversed accelerating cost growth, modernized its operational services, and adopted businesslike strategy and metrics, among other improvements.

Co-Founder

Andrew Stern’s career, spanning over three decades, places him at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. A pioneer in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, Andrew has dedicated 30 years to advancing solar energy solutions, contributing to crucial developments that have significantly shaped the industry from its early days.
In addition to his passion for solar energy, Andrew has been deeply involved in wind energy for 20 years, playing a critical role in designing and implementing wind farms across diverse landscapes. His efforts have contributed significantly to the global shift towards sustainable energy sources. Beyond solar and wind, Andrew has innovated in water conservation and purification technologies, leading to notable advancements in water use efficiency and improving access to clean water in underserved communities.

Recently, Andrew has focused on the emerging field of green hydrogen technology. Recognizing hydrogen’s potential as a clean fuel, he has been instrumental in developing systems that use renewable energy to produce hydrogen, paving the way for a zero-emissions future.

Andrew is a technologist, mentor, and leader, inspiring a new generation of engineers and scientists to push the boundaries of renewable energy. He holds positions as a Teaching Fellow in Sustainability at Harvard University, a founding member of MIT’s Energy Club, and the Founder and Renewable Energy Specialist at Senior Equity Advisors Group, an investment and advisory management company.
For more information on Andrew’s lectures and events, please visit https://linktr.ee/andrewstern.