Team

Team

The Seattle Angel Conference is a team effort of many volunteers who are interested in educating new Angel Investors an thereby expanding the opportunities for startups in the Puget Sound and Greater Seattle  community. If you are interested in contributing to project as a volunteer or as an organizer, please drop us a note and let us know what you would like to work on.

John Sechrest - Founder

John Sechrest started as a software engineer at HP, writing network code for calculators. He is the founder of PEAK Internet services. He spent 5 years as the Economic Development Director of Corvallis Oregon, where he founded the Willamette Angel Conference. He participated in the Oregon Angel Fund. He is working to bring that model of community investing to Seattle with the Seattle Angel Conference. 

Keith Laepple - Fund Manager, SAC VI

Keith Laepple is a technology focused angel, seeking investment and engagement opportunities with Pacific Northwest startups. A Seattle Angel Conference participant since 2012, he has participated in five SAC investor funds, and is the fund manager leading the for SAC VI investor group. Keith is also a member of the Seattle Alliance of Angels.

Formerly a 22-year manager in operating system products at Microsoft, Keith has led teams in program management, technical evagelism, and business development for PC, mobile, and consumer electronics platforms.  

Geoff Harris - Fund Manager SAC VII

Geoff Harris spent 15 years in executive leadership and engineering management positions at Microsoft Corporation. He developed new businesses and led teams in areas such as digital media, mobile and speech and natural language processing. Since retiring from Microsoft in late 2013, Geoff has turned his attention to developing a deeper angel investment community in Seattle through his involvement with the Alliance of Angels and the Seattle Angel Conference as well as advisory positions with several local start-ups. Geoff holds a bachelor’s degree from Brown University. He will be the fund manager for SAC VII.

Josh Maher - Fund Manager, SAC V

Josh Maher is a passionate supporter of the Seattle startup community. He founded TechCafe (formerly Seattle Lunch 2.0) back in 2007, has provided mentorship, advising, and consulting to numerous startups on product definition, launching, fund raising, and customer development. He has also founded and worked in various capacities for startups. Past and current startups include SafeHarbor Technologies, Decider Technologies (closed), iConclude (sold to HP), IvyTalk, & KStream Media. He continues to engage with early stage companies as an angel investor and advisor.

Brad Carpenter - Fund Manager, SAC IV

Brad Carpenter, has been an active angel investor, mentor for tech entrepreneurs, and was the CEO for two early stage startups, Transparent IO and Newline Software. Prior to supporting the local startup community, Brad spent  20 years at Microsoft leading engineering teams for Windows, Unlimited Potential Group (focused on emerging geographies), PC hardware, and Microsoft Surface. Follow him @BradCarpenter.

Katherine Cleland - Marketing 

Katherine Cleland, CEO of ClelandMarketing, and past founder of Choice Solar, is an angel investor, and mentor to start-ups including at UW C4C.  Her specialties are Solar and Semiconductor vertical markets, as well as device and consumer products space plays.  With a background in chemistry and high tech, and an MBA in Marketing and Finance,  Marketing Strategy is her strength.  Katherine is committed to creating a thriving start up community in the Pacific Northwest. She helps technology businesses succeed through facilitating thorough understanding of customers needs, uses, and matching those needs with product lifecycle and whole product solutions at the right price.