TOM SMITH - Tom has more than 20 years of experience in the venture capital business, spanning early- and expansion-stage venture investing, as well as large leveraged buyout transactions. Prior to founding BrownSavano, he was a co-founder and General Partner of SmithDefieux Capital Partners, a pioneer of venture direct secondary investing. Before SmithDefieux, Tom was General Partner with Mid-Atlantic Venture Funds, where he led several highly successful early-stage technology and Internet-related investments.

Previously, Tom was General Partner with Edison Ventures, where he co-directed the firm’s highly successful communications investment portfolio. He started his career as Vice President of Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation, the private equity affiliate of The Chase Manhattan Bank, where he worked with Gus Koven.

Tom served as a Director of the Mid-Atlantic Venture Association for 12 years. Tom earned his MBA, Beta Gamma Sigma, from U.N.C. Chapel Hill and a BS, Magna Cum Laude, from Elizabethtown College.

tom@brownsavano.com

MARK COLLINS - Mark has over 30 years of venture capital and private equity experience, with over 15 years of experience in managing assets for high net worth clients as a partner and the Head of the Private Equity Group at Brown Advisory. Mark is also responsible for Brown Advisory’s alternative asset investments, including venture capital, private equity, hedge funds and other specialty capabilities.

GUSTAV KOVEN - With more than 20 years of experience in the private equity business, Gus has extensive hands-on experience in leveraged buy-outs, as well as early-stage and expansion-stage investing. Additionally, Gus has more than a decade of experience in corporate mergers and acquisitions and business development.

Prior to co-founding BrownSavano, Gus was a General Partner and co-founder of SmithDefieux Capital Partners. Before SmithDefieux he was a Managing Director of Knickerbocker LLC’s private equity investment program, where he managed both direct investments and private equity/venture fund LP commitments. Previously, Gus was General Partner with Edison Ventures, where he led numerous successful growth-stage investments in the software, financial services and business services sectors. Prior to Edison Ventures, Gus was Vice President of Corporate Development at The Chase Manhattan Bank and later became President of the Chase Manhattan Capital Corporation, where he led the highly successful private equity business. Gus started his career in a corporate development role with Union Carbide.

Gus currently serves on the Board of Directors of AuthenTec, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUTH). He earned his MBA from Columbia University and his BE from Stevens Institute of Technology.

gus@brownsavano.com

BION LUDWIG - Bion has been active with startup companies and an entrepreneur since founding his first venture in 2002. While in college, Bion founded numerous companies as well as an undergraduate entrepreneurial club. Through these ventures, he gained experience working with growth companies and entrepreneurial finance. The last of his companies grew to be one of the top 800 sites on the Internet and was acquired in late 2006.

Prior to co-founding BrownSavano, Bion worked with Tom and Gus at SmithDefieux Capital Partners. Before teaming with Gus and Tom at SmithDefieux, he was with GE Capital's finance assurance arm, Genworth Financial, as a member of their Financial Management Program.

Bion is a published author and his book about his last startup company sold over 25,000 copies worldwide. Bion graduated from the University of Virginia with a BA in Economics.

bion@brownsavano.com

JACOB HODES - Jacob is a Private Equity Analyst at Brown Advisory. He has in-depth experience with private equity, as well as with corporate finance, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance. 


Jacob earned his JD from the UCLA School of Law, where he was an Articles Editor for the UCLA Law Review, and his AB from Princeton University.

jacob@brownsavano.com

NINA MILLMAN - Nina is a Principal at Brown Advisory and manages the Private Equity Administration group.  She is responsible for all areas of management of the firm’s private equity investment services, including origination, funds administration and direct investments. Previously, Nina was with DLA Piper LLP, where she worked in the firm’s Estates and Trusts and Creditors’ Rights/Bankruptcy practice groups. Nina earned her BS from the University of Maryland, College Park.

nmillman@brownadvisory.com

NICOLE NESBITT - Nicole is an Associate at Brown Advisory in the Private Equity Administration Group. She provides assistance with the firm’s Private Equity advisory services. In addition, she manages the administrative aspects of the firm’s hedge funds.

Previously, Nicole was with Alex. Brown Investment Management where she was a Mutual Fund Administrator and more recently, the Investment Performance Analyst. Nicole earned her BA from Purdue University.

BEAU SMITH - Beau is a Private Equity Specialist at Brown Advisory.  He provides administrative support for the firm’s private equity offerings.  Previously, Beau held various positions related to mutual funds and separately managed accounts at Legg Mason.  He is currently pursuing the CFA designation. Beau earned his BA from Franklin & Marshall College and a Graduate Certificate in Investments from Johns Hopkins University.