Our Team
The management team is lead by James Unruh, founding partner of Alerion. The group brings together the diverse skills and background which drive our investments and on-going relationship with the management team of our portfolio companies.
JIM UNRUH – FOUNDING PRINCIPAL
Mr. Unruh’s extensive experience includes general management, marketing and financial positions in several large publicly held companies where he successfully completed turnarounds, joint ventures, acquisitions, divestments, and debt and equity financings. His industry background has been with multinational businesses providing computer hardware and software, semiconductors, information technology systems integration, consulting and support services, as well as electro-mechanical products for consumer and industrial markets. Immediately prior to founding Alerion, Mr. Unruh was the Chairman and CEO of Unisys Corporation. When Mr. Unruh became CEO in 1990, Unisys was in serious distress. By mapping a new strategic course and implementing his vision through a restructuring of the business portfolio, reengineering the cost structure and spearheading organizational and cultural changes, Unisys was repositioned, financially revitalized and growing again with information technology services representing two-thirds of its $6.6 billion in revenue. Earlier in his career as Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Unruh was key to the revitalization of Fairchild Camera and Instrument Corporation (semiconductors) and of Memorex Corporation (storage devices and media). Mr. Unruh has also served as an outside director with nearly a dozen Fortune 500 corporations, private mid-market firms, entrepreneurial ventures and charitable organizations. Current board memberships include CSG, Prudential Financial, CenturyLink (formerly Qwest Communications), Tenet Healthcare, in addition to BioVigilant Systems, Kiosk Information Systems, Steton, VTI Instruments and Worldlink.
JERRY LINDFELT — PRINCIPAL
Mr. Lindfelt has enjoyed a distinguished career in aerospace, defense businesses and identity management. Prior to joining Alerion Capital Group, Mr. Lindfelt was Deputy to the Chairman for Operations for L-1 Identity Solutions. Prior to L-1, Mr. Lindfelt held senior executive positions at Lockheed Martin as Vice President of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance business units. Prior to Lockheed, Mr. Lindfelt held a variety of roles, including executive and operational management positions at Loral Space & Communications Ltd., Scitor Corporation and the Loral Corporation. He is a graduate of American International College and has a Master’s Degree from Northeastern University. Mr. Lindfelt has served on numerous non-profit and governmental boards and currently serves on the board of Learning Services, a brain injury rehabilitation company, in addition to the company board of Kiosk Information Systems.
RICK DEAVILA, CFA — MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mr. DeAvila’s background includes traditional corporate, merchant and investment banking activities. Prior to joining Alerion, Mr. DeAvila was an Associate at Banc One Capital Partners Inc. (BOCP), assisting in the establishment of its Western regional office supporting mezzanine investment opportunities in acquisitions and recapitalizations. Prior to joining BOCP, Mr. DeAvila was a Commercial Loan Officer for LaSalle Bank, NI in Chicago, focusing on the middle-market. Mr. DeAvila received his B.S. in Business Administration with a specialization in Finance and a minor in Spanish from Marquette University. He received his MBA from Arizona State University, and he is a CFA charter holder. Mr. DeAvila is an active leader in the Marquette Alumni Club of Phoenix. Current board memberships include UMB Bank Arizona, Kiosk Information Systems, Steton, and Worldlink.
JEFF UNRUH – MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mr. Unruh’s experience has focused on new business development, strategic alliances, and product/service introduction within the technology industry. This experience has included functional roles spanning business development, marketing, finance, procurement, supply chain management, engineering, support, and general management. Prior to joining Alerion, Mr. Unruh was a Senior Director of Business Development with Oracle Corporation. Prior to Oracle, he was primarily involved in formation and development of new divisions, business units, products and services within Hewlett-Packard, Unisys, Memorex, and Fairchild Camera and Instrument. Mr. Unruh has been a long time advisor and advocate of technology and of science education including nearly ten years as an elected trustee of the Utah Information Technology Association, member of the Utah Science Advisory Council, member of the Mountain West Capital Network, member of the MBA Technology Advisory board of Westminster College, board member of the Utah Science Center, and as Vice Chairman for The Leonardo, a Sci-Tech-Art museum in Salt Lake City. Mr. Unruh has a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. Current board memberships include Kiosk Information Systems, Steton, VTI Instruments, and Worldlink.
CINDY BLOCH – BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ms. Bloch brings a diversified background to the Alerion Capital team. She comes to Alerion after 12 years as an executive director in the non-profit sector. Ms. Bloch’s prior industry experience includes administrative legal support for Comdisco Financial Services in the computer leasing industry, as well as public relations and marketing for the Minnesota North Stars Hockey Team. Her background and professional experience also encompasses research, business development, and investor relations. Ms. Bloch earned a B.A. in psychology from Arizona State University.
TECH COWBOY – A PHILOSOPHY
Tech Cowboy occupies a place in each of our spirits. He is as at home in our hearts as he is at home on the range (so long as his WiFi, Blackberry or iPhone is in range). He embodies the spirit of the West and that adventurous quest which brought each of us to be in the West and immersed in the world of technology, the frontier of science for humanity. While the technology sector has burgeoned since our early days in the apricot orchards of what is now Silicon Valley, when Moore’s Law was a twinkle in Gordon Moore’s eye, it still captures that original spirit of the West and enthusiasm that continues to yield new frontiers…of science.
