Each of our partners has hands-on experience in building and growing great companies. We've learned these lessons from years of assisting new ventures and serving in top positions at successful companies.
 

Brian N. Burns, Managing Member, co-founded Grayhawk Capital in 1999. Mr. Burns has more than 20 years of private equity and venture capital experience. Prior to co-founding Grayhawk, Mr. Burns served as Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of the investment subsidiary of Pinnacle West Capital Corp., a $3 billion NYSE company, from 1998 to 2000. He has also served as Vice President of two venture capital firms, SunVen Capital and Anderson & Wells, from 1989 to 1998. Mr. Burns began his career at Arthur Andersen & Co., working there from 1981 to 1989, becoming a Senior Manager in the Audit Division. Mr. Burns has served on the board of 14 privately held companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Arizona State University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Sherman I. Chu, Managing Member, co-founded Grayhawk Capital in 1999. Mr. Chu has more than 20 years of venture capital and private equity experience. Prior to co-founding Grayhawk, Mr. Chu was a Partner at Cornerstone Equity Partners from 1995 to 2008. Mr. Chu started his venture capital career as an Assistant Vice President of Banc One Capital Partners from 1991 to 1995. He served in financial positions for several other firms prior to joining Banc One Capital Partners. Mr. Chu has served on the board of 12 privately held companies. Mr. Chu holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the University of Arizona.

Brian S. Smith, Managing Member, joined Grayhawk Capital to raise GVFII. Mr. Smith has more than 20 years of venture capital experience. Prior to joining Grayhawk Capital, Mr. Smith co-founded Peninsula Ventures in 2005 and he will continue to serve as a Managing Member in Peninsula Technology Ventures, an early-stage venture fund. Mr. Smith began his venture capital career at Dominion Ventures, initially joining the firm in 1991. Mr. Smith served as an Associate in Dominion Fund II, a Principal in Dominion Fund III, and a Managing Director in both Dominion Fund IV and Dominion Fund V, before co-founding Peninsula Ventures. Earlier in his career, he was an Entrepreneurial Fellow at CID Equity Partners and an Emerging Business Services Consultant at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. Mr. Smith has served on the board of 13 privately held companies. Mr. Smith holds a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Brigham Young University.

Megan S. Pautler, Investment Analyst, joined Grayhawk Capital in January 2010, and is principally responsible for sourcing and analyzing investment opportunities as well as supporting the General Partners in the consummation and management of new investments for Grayhawk Venture Fund II, L.P (“GVFII”). Prior to joining Grayhawk, Ms. Pautler was an Intern with Restoration Partners, a boutique technology merchant bank based in London, U.K., where she built and delivered a comprehensive database of the Venture Capital Trusts holdings traded on the AIM Exchange. Ms. Pautler attended the International London Business Practicum hosted by Syracuse University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and International Business Certificate from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Ms. Pautler supports underprivileged children by funding their participation in AYSO, a youth soccer league in Hawaii.