CommonAngels Staff


Our professional staff manages deal flow, diligence and our investments in each company. We seek to optimize the relationship bewteen entreprenerus and our extenstive network of industry experts and leaders to maximize value. We also coordinate our relationships with other investors and stakeholders in the technology community.

James Geshwiler, Managing Director
james@commonangels.com, 781-274-9124
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgeshwiler

James joined CommonAngels in 1999 and currently manages the group's investments in Cambria Pharmaceuticals, Frame Media, HNW, Interactive Supercomputing, Nimbit, PermissionTV, Skyhook Wireless, TimeTrade systems, Tizor, and Vela Systems. He also is on the Board of Trustees of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council. James was the founding chairman of the Angel Capital Association, the professional alliance of angel groups that has grown from 46 groups as charter members to now over 144, representing over 6,500 investors. He also was the founding chairman of ACA’s sister organization, the Angel Capital Education Foundation, in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation. AECF works with angel investors, venture capitalists, academic leaders and entrepreneurs around the country to provide research and educational programs on angel investing. He is a contributing author to Cutting-Edge Practices in American Angel Investing, published in October 2003 by Darden Business Publishing of the University of Virginia, has written papers and various articles on angel investment processes, and regularly speaks on entrepreneurship and private investing.

Prior to CommonAngels, James worked at Cambridge Energy Research Associates, the premier strategic advisory consultancy for the oil, natural gas, electric power and refined products sectors. Prior to CERA, James worked for the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Department State—both in Washington DC—in a variety of roles covering global technology analysis, assessment and policy.

He holds a bachelor's degree with highest honors from the Liberal Arts Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin, a master's degree in political science from UCLA, and an MBA from MIT's Sloan School of Management. James also is an avid rower and a member of Cambridge Boat Club.

Chris Sheehan, Managing Director
chris@commonangels.com, 781-274-9124

Chris is a managing director of CommonAngels, joining the group in 2005, and is currently either a board member or observer at Carbonite, Polnox, Outside the Classroom, Most Effective Media, Xconomy and GateRocket. Within CommonAngels, Chris manages deal flow, due diligence and the investment process. He also guides the group's strategic direction and works closely with portfolio companies. He is also a managing director of the group’s two $10M venture funds.

Previously, Chris founded Newburyport Partners, a consulting firm that works with investors and their portfolio companies. Chris also served as a venture partner at Industry Ventures where he was actively involved in the acquisition and management of secondary venture investment portfolios.

Prior to starting Newburyport Partners, Chris was a Director of Corporate Development for BEA Systems, a leading enterprise software company with over $1B in sales. At BEA, he was a key member of the corporate team responsible for all venture capital investing and M&A activity. He was also part of the executive team for one of the company's product divisions. Prior to BEA, Chris led the private equity practice for the Cambridge based research firm, Stax Inc. Chris also spent six years with the top ranked investment bank in Australia. He started his career as an equity analyst focusing on the oil and gas sector.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Queensland, Australia.

Karen Cortina, Office Manager

Karen brings over 15 years of administrative experience to CommonAngels. She most recently worked at an independent high school as the Assistant Director of Development. During her career she has developed a strong background in human resources and event planning.

Karen earned both an associate’s and a bachelor’s degree in management from Bentley College.