2024 ACG DFW Family Office and Private Equity Insights Luncheon

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Connor Crown:

Connor Crown is the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Expanse Venture Partners (EVP), a venture fund specializing in early-stage growth companies through a family office perspective. EVP leverages insights gained from observing over four generations of family office investing to drive its investment strategies. As a fourth-generation member of the Crown family, Connor's upbringing instilled in him a profound understanding of the principles behind long-term organizational growth, which he used as the foundation for building Expanse.

In addition to his commitment to growing innovative businesses, Connor is deeply passionate about philanthropy and driving positive change. He actively seeks partnerships with founders dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the world through their products and services. Connor established Expanse with a vision that extends beyond financial gains, aiming to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem for families with a shared long-term perspective.

Expanse's current fund focuses on investments in the enabling technologies that will shape the future of finance, work, healthcare, and commerce, with a particular emphasis on healthcare and fintech navigation. As Connor continues to raise funds for the inaugural Expanse Venture Partners Fund I, he invites family offices and experienced investors to join Expanse in cultivating the next generation of sustainable, innovative, and profitable companies.

Before creating Expanse, Connor spent over four years advising global financial services and insurance firms on how to enhance B2C. He serves in advisory and board roles for multiple early-stage companies (including Eden Health and Thrive).

Connor graduated from Duke University with a BA in sociology and a certificate in marketing/management while also being a member of the varsity track team. He continued his education at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, where he received his MBA with a major in finance and a focus on venture capital. Connor currently splits time between Chicago and Los Angeles.

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Scott Letier:

Mr. Letier has been Managing Director of Deason Capital Services, LLC, (“DCS”) the family office for Darwin Deason, since July 2014. Prior to joining DCS, Mr. Letier was the Managing Director of JFO Group, LLC, the family office for the Jensen family from September 2006 to July 2014. Mr. Letier has over 20 years of prior leadership roles serving as a private equity investment professional and chief financial officer, and began his career in the audit group at Ernst & Whinney (now Ernst & Young). Mr. Letier also serves as Treasurer, board member, executive committee member, and is Chairman of the audit and finance committees of the Dallas College Foundation. Mr. Letier is a Certified Public Accountant and has a BBA with a concentration in accounting from the Southern Methodist University – Cox School of Business. 

With his over 20 years of prior leadership roles and service on other company boards and committees, Mr. Letier serves as Chairman of the Board Directors for Xerox Corporation and for Conduent Incorporated. He additionally serves on Boards of MV Transportation, the leading provider of paratransit services and the largest privately-owned passenger transportation contracting firm in the United States; Stellar Global, LLC, an Australian and U.S. based BPO/CRM call center company; Colvin Resources Group, a Dallas based search and staffing firm; Grow 52, LLC (dba, Gardenuity), a tech enabled retailer; and serves on the fund advisory board of Griffis Residential, a Denver based multi-family real estate management and investment firm.

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Michael Mann:

Michael founded Anchor Capital in 2020. Under his leadership, Anchor has scaled to invest in 27 companies including UiPath (PATH), Jackpocket (Acq. by Draft Kings), Dragos, EquipmentShare, and many others. Before founding Anchor Capital, Michael helped create J.P. Morgan’s direct deals platform, executing investments such as Top Golf, Cholula Hot Sauce, and The Real Real. Prior, he was at UBS’ Wealth Management Group where he helped manage over $1.1Bn on behalf of 200+ clients. He began his career at TD’s Commercial Bank evaluating corporate credit facilities. Michael guest lectures and mentors students at Oklahoma State Univeristy and received his BA from Stony Brook University. He serves on numerous boards including Gardenuity, Monument, StrongDM, Chalkboard, and fellow panelist Connor Crown’s Expanse Venture Partners.