James Goulka retired as Chairman and Managing Director of Arizona Tech Investors (ATI) on December 31, 2022. Under his leadership over 12 years, ATI grew to over 100 men and women, who invest their own resources in disruptive startups in information technology and life sciences. Since its inception in 2007, ATI members have invested in over 90 companies, two thirds of which are Arizona-based. He has personally invested in over 50 angel funded startups.
Goulka previously served as CEO of 3 angel and VC backed software companies. Additionally, he was CEO of the National Technology Transfer Center, which commercialized the intellectual property developed in all 10 NASA labs and parts of the Department of Defense; the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture; and served as COO and CFO of Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc. and its world-wide subsidiaries, where he was responsible for digitizing its products. Goulka began his career in corporate finance and private equity at JP Morgan Chase and Citibank.
Goulka is a past board member of the Angel Capital Association and served on its Education and Smart Practices Committee. He was a member of the Angel Syndication Network Advisory Board and governing or advisory board member of several ATI portfolio companies. Previously he was Chairman of Merriam-Webster Dictionaries and most of Britannica’s world-wide subsidiaries, and a board member of various early stage companies. His not-for-profit board involvement included Steppenwolf Theater Company, Chicago Shakespeare, the Dallas Zoological Society, the Associate Board of the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University, and many other social service and arts organizations. He has also served on elected school and township boards.
He has taught cases at Harvard Business School, Yale School of Management, and Ohio State University, a class on angel and VC funding in the Executive MBA Program at ASU, and a course on business case analysis at eight US Navy bases.
Goulka holds two degrees from Yale.
Jen is a versatile professional with over 20 years of experience delivering superior administrative and back-office oversight and multifaceted executive support. Proven talent for meeting the demands of challenging roles requiring expert prioritization, communication, and organization skills.
Aaron Favreau holds a Political Science degree from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. He commenced his career on Capitol Hill in the office of a U.S. Senator from Arizona, where he honed his skills in governmental affairs and policy analysis. Transitioning to the realm of state governance, Aaron spent five years serving the Governor of Arizona, spearheading diverse projects ranging from statewide negotiations to policy initiatives and operational enhancements within various state agencies.
Subsequently, Aaron transitioned to a pivotal role at a prominent political consulting firm, where he led the charge of crafting political strategies and overseeing operations for a myriad of candidates and corporate clients. Following his tenure, Aaron pursued higher education, obtaining his MBA from ASU. Aaron joined AVC in 2022. In his current capacity, Aaron coordinates deal flow, conducts due diligence, and spearheads research for AVC investments.
Samad Reed, a Newark, New Jersey native, holds an MBA from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. His academic journey also includes earning a BSBA in Economics and Finance from the University of Hartford’s Barney School of Business. With a background spanning Investment Banking, Technology, Financial Services, and Management Consulting, Samad brings a wealth of experience.
Throughout his tenure in business school and pivot into venture capital, Samad served as an Investment Fellow at Purple Sage Ventures, an MBA Associate at AZ-VC, and an MBA Intern at AVC. His diverse professional background has equipped him with a multifaceted skill set.
Beyond his corporate endeavors, Samad is an entrepreneurial enthusiast, a passion that kindled his interest in venture capital. His overarching goal is to support and empower entrepreneurs in realizing their aspirations within the dynamic landscape of startups. Reflecting his core philosophy on success, Samad embraces the mantra, “The only person that can determine your success is you.”
