July 21, 2016
Thursday, July 21, 2016
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Thomas Nastas of Brooklyn and Robert Manilla of Clarkston and the reappointment of Thomas Kinnear of Ann Arbor to the Early Stage Venture Investment Corporation Board.
Established in 2003, the seven-member board encourages a healthy economic climate by fostering job creation, retention and expansion through the promotion of investment in venture capital businesses, specializing in early stage and seed investments. Two of the board positions are filled through recommendations to the Governor from the Senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the House.
“I am confident these individuals will do substantial work on behalf of Michiganders,” Snyder said
Appointments:
Nastas is the founder of Innovative Ventures Inc. from the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. He is a featured author and contributor to a number of industry publications and platforms including the Harvard Business, the European Venture Capital Journal, and the US Venture Capital Journal. He holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising, marketing, and mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration, both from Michigan State University. He will represent the general public and replace Anthony Berkley.
Manilla is vice president and chief investment officer of the Kresge Foundation. Prior to joining the Kresge Foundation he was a member of the investment Committee at DaimlerChrysler. Manilla holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Oakland University, a masters of business administration in marketing from the University of Detroit, and completed an Executive Development Program at the International Institute for Management Development in Switzerland. He will replace Knut Simonsen as the Senate Majority Leader’s recommendation.
Reappointment:
Kinnear is a professor of business administration and marketing at the University of Michigan. He previously served as the Eugene Applebaum Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies and executive director of the Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. He was senior associate Dean of the Business School and vice president for Development and Executive Officer for the University. Kinnear holds an undergraduate degree and LLD (honoris causa) from Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, a master’s degree from Harvard University, and a Ph.D. in business administration from the University of Michigan. He will continue to represent a statewide organization exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Nastas and Manilla will serve the remainder of three-year terms expiring June 13, 2018. Kinnear will serve a three-year term expiring June 13, 2019. Member appointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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