Venture Forward Advisory Team

The Venture Forward founding partners are seasoned business professionals with broad and varied industry expertise and over 60 years of combined business development and operational experience. Each partner has C-level real-world business experience and understands first-hand the challenges of building successful companies. Our ability to create unique value is a product of the diversity of our perspectives and our ability to synthesize the broad spectrum of experience that we bring to each client relationship.

John Allen - Managing Director

John co-founded Venture Forward Advisors, LLC in 2009, and acts as one of its Managing Directors. For over 20 years, John has provided successful business development strategies for companies of every developmental phase. As he guides a growing network of investors and entrepreneurs through the challenges of today’s economic landscape, John brings a wide range competencies including market research and analysis, strategic planning, management team development, investment banking advisory services, and capital raising. Prior to co-founding Venture Forward Advisors, John worked with Pine South Capital, Professional Bank Services, Ernst and Young, Community Physicians Network, Darwin Networks, Healthcoast, Louisville Trust, and Icarus Associates, which he founded -- johna@ventureforwardadvisors.com

George W. Rue III, CFA - Managing Director

George co-founded Venture Forward Advisors, LLC in 2009 and acts as one of its Managing Directors. With over 20 years of investment management industry experience, George has a proven capacity for analyzing business and investment opportunities, managing projects, and delivering a high level of client service. In addition, George has developed a broad network of alliances within the investment management industry, a valuable funding resource for Venture Forward Advisors and its clients. Prior to co-founding Venture Forward Advisors, George held the position of Chief Investment Officer at the Presbyterian Foundation/New Covenant Trust Company, where he managed a $2 billion investment portfolio. Prior to that, George worked with INVESCO and National City Bank -- georger@ventureforwardadvisors.com

Benjamin Levine - Managing Director

Benjamin brings over 20 years of senior-level sales, marketing and public relations management experience to Venture Forward Advisors. Benjamin's career path combines corporate and consulting roles, and includes 15-years as Chief Operations and Marketing Officer for Fashion Shops of Kentucky, a 12-store, $30 million apparel and home goods retailer. He is capable of analyzing, developing and implementing a broad range of retail, marketing, and brand-building initiatives, and has experience with strategic planning, product sourcing, management of retail and distribution channels, and the rapidly emerging “green” consumer goods and “sustainability” sectors. Most recently, Benjamin has provided independent sales and marketing consulting for manufacturers in the outdoor retail industry -- benl@ventureforwardadvisors.com

Affiliates

In addition to the experience of the partners, Venture Forward has a nationwide network of affiliates that can bring additional industry and vocational expertise to bear in the following areas:

• Accounting
• Financial Forecasting
• International business development
• Design, product and process Engineering
• Product Licensing
• Marketing
• Web and Software Development
• Retail
• Real Estate
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Work Out Turn Around
• IT
• Communications
• Broker Dealer Relationship
• Securities Law
• Distribution and Logistics
• Manufacturing