OCTOBER CAPITAL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Partner
- Director of MachineryLink
Lance is the founder of October Capital, a privately funded venture capital firm who has primarily invested in innovative, technology enabled businesses. He is also a Managing Partner at OpenAir Equity Partners, a new venture capital and private equity firm solely focused on the wireless, communications and mobile Internet sectors. His operational expertise, entrepreneurial mindset, and collaborative approach make Lance stand out as a leader in the venture capital market and cause him to be a highly sought after board member. Known for his hands-on leadership style, he has mentored some of the most successful entrepreneurs and management teams.
Lance is currently a director of MachineryLink, the leader in fractional leases of agricultural equipment and operator of the world's largest fleet of harvesting combines.
As an advocate of entrepreneurship and venture investing, Lance is a frequent speaker and panelist. He has worked diligently for over 10 years to stimulate innovation in the Midwest through entrepreneurship and venture investment in the region. Lance holds a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Kansas. Lance lives in Kansas City with his wife and 4 daughters, two sets of twins.
A pioneer and respected leader in the wireless industry, Ron brings more than 36 years of carrier-side operating experience as a former executive at AT&T, Sprint, and Southwestern Bell. He is eminently qualified to recognize, as well as contribute to, innovation and to understand the opportunities, intricacies, and challenges of applying technology successfully in the marketplace.
Ron was employee number one and CEO of Sprint PCS which, under his direction, generated $10B in annual revenues faster than any US company has before or since. Ron is the current chairman of Gogo Inflight Internet, the leading broadband inflight Internet service that will revolutionize inflight communications. After leaving Sprint in 2003, he joined Ripplewood Holdings as an Industrial Partner and orchestrated the turn-around (as CEO), and subsequent sale of Japan Telecom, generating outstanding returns to Ripplewood investors.