Western Association of Venture Capitalists Announces New Board Members

Venture Capital Industry Veterans Tapped to Lead Organization in 2007

Menlo Park, CA-January 9, 2007-The Western Association of Venture Capitalists (WAVC) today announced its new board of directors for 2007. The appointments include some of the venture industry's most respected venture capitalists-individuals who have been behind the formation of many of the country's leading technology and healthcare companies.

Founded in 1969 as the world's first non-profit venture capital organization, WAVC is made up of over 130 venture firms and some 800 venture capitalists. WAVC's primary focus is its distinguished speaker series, which has hosted more than 500 business, financial, government and academic leaders-from Dianne Feinstein and Eliot Spitzer, to Meg Whitman, John Chambers, Peter Drucker and Geoffrey Moore. WAVC also sponsors annual charity tennis and golf tournaments and actively aids local communities through its support of several nonprofits.

New Board Represents Top Tier VC Firms

The new WAVC board of directors is made up of the following venture capitalists:

  • WAVC President: Sonja Hoel Perkins, Managing Director of Menlo Ventures

  • Vice President, Co-Program Chair: Paul Holland, General Partner of Foundation Capital

  • Vice President, Co-Program Chair & Vice President of Public Affairs: Steve Jurvetson, Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson

  • Vice President, Membership/Audit Committee: John Hall, Managing Director of Horizon Ventures

  • Vice President, Events Chairman: Mike Orsak, General Partner of Worldview Technology Partners

  • Vice President, Co-Marketing Chair: Philip Sanderson,  Managing Director of IDG Ventures

  • Vice President, Co-Marketing Chair: Fred Wang, General Partner of Trinity Ventures

  • Tench Coxe, General Partner of Sutter Hill Ventures

  • Tom Dyal, Founding Partner of Redpoint Ventures

  • Ira Ehrenpreis, General Partner of Technology Partners

  • Jim Goetz, General Partner of Sequoia Capital

  • Ross Jaffe, Managing Director of Versant Ventures

  • Roger J. Quy, General Partner of Technology Partners

  • Ted Schlein, General Partner of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

  • Peter Wagner, General Partner of Accel Partners

  • Mark Wan, Founding Partner of Three Arch Partners

    The mission of WAVC continues to focus on bringing West Coast venture capitalists together to network, share insights and, of course, discuss deals, said Sonja Hoel Perkins, Managing Director with Menlo Ventures and WAVC's incoming president. The board and the directors are excited to explore new ways to support this mission, including strengthening WAVC membership, increasing event participation, and bringing in the most dynamic, thought provoking and influential speakers we can find.

    Frank Quattrone Tapped as First WAVC Speaker in 2007

    WAVC also announced that Frank Quattrone will speak at WAVC's first luncheon event of 2007 on Wednesday, January 24. Quattrone has 23 years of experience advising technology companies on capital raising, mergers and acquisitions, and strategy. In February, WAVC will reprise its popular media panel with representatives from Forbes, the Economist and other influential news outlets.

    About WAVC

    For more than 40 years, WAVC (www.wavc.net) has offered West Coast venture capitalists a chance to come together to network, socialize, and share insights. WAVC's distinguished speaker series has hosted some of the country's most legendary business, political and academic leaders. The group's distinguished history also includes annual sporting events as well as community outreach and industry advocacy. Today, WAVC is made up of over 130 venture firms and some 800 venture capitalists.