Mark Heesen has advocated for the venture capital industry, entrepreneurship and innovation two decades as head of public policy for NVCA and since 1999 as the Association's president. Under Mark's leadership, the NVCA has grown in both scope and scale as it relates to its public policy agenda, research initiatives and member programs. He is constantly engaged in legislative and regulatory issues surrounding information technology, life sciences and clean technology investing, providing strategic direction for the NVCA professional staff and managing a board of 26 venture capital practitioners.

Mark has taken a leadership position on behalf of the venture capital industry on issues such as carried interest taxation, financial services reform, the FDA regulatory approval process, highly skilled immigration, patent reform, U.S. competitiveness issues, energy reform, support for basic research funding and countless other policy issues that impact America's entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Prior to his work at NVCA, Mark was an aide to a former Governor of Pennsylvania and was Deputy Director for Federal Funds reporting to the Texas Legislature. He has received a law degree with an emphasis in taxation from the Dickinson School of Law in 1984.

During his 30-year commercial banking career, John Huston's positions at banks in five states ranged from Chief Lending Officer to CEO. Upon retiring from banking in 2000 he commenced his business angel activities and formed USPrivateCompanies, LLC which has provided equity to over thirty of Ohio's most promising entrepreneurs.

John was appointed by Governor Taft to the Ohio Venture Capital Authority at its inception in 2003. The Authority's Ohio Capital Fund generates high paying jobs by making $150 million of early stage capital available to the state's most promising technology entrepreneurs. Twenty-one venture capital firms have already received funding via this program. When John's term expired in February 2010 Governor Strickland appointed him to the Third Frontier Advisory Board. Ohio's Third Frontier Program is a $1.6 billion bi-partisan commitment to expand Ohio' technological strengths and promote commercialization. By a most gratifying 6% approval of the May, 2010 ballot issue, Ohio voters have now expanded the program by $750 million

When John launched the first Ohio TechAngel Fund in 2004 the group became a founding member of the Angel Capital Association. Now with three funds and 280+ members, the Ohio TechAngels is one of North America's largest angel groups. John is a member of the North Coast Angel Fund I & II, (Cleveland) and East Central Ohio TechAngel Fund (Athens), serving on their Executive Committees.

John attended the University of Virginia on a Navy ROTC scholarship, graduating with a BA in economics. While stationed as a Navy pilot in Georgia he obtained his MBA from Georgia Southern University.

11:30 - Networking

12:00 - Lunch Served

1:30 - Adjourn