Meet our team

Our team and board members are subject matter experts in their field and have years of experience in the Transportation industry. Our name was developed out of appreciation of the 53 foot tractor semitrailer and our focused fund thesis of growing transportation and logistics companies.

Pat Martin,
Founder

  • With a successful and storied freight background, Pat has an insider look at the segment and solutions that work.

  • 20+ years of experience in Supply Chain managing growth and revenue for one of the countries largest freight companies. 

  • Expertise in revenue growth management for the LTL division and the coordination of sales strategies enterprise-wide. 

  • Advisor, board member and angel investor focusing on software companies selling to shippers, carriers and third-party logistics companies.

Dan White,
Founder, Advisor

  • Responsible for growth of some of the world’s most valuable trademarks including Coke, Sprite, Fanta, McDonalds and Tyson.

  • Experience that brings deep insights and understanding from the customer side of CPG supply chain challenges.

  • Extensive global and domestic experience in general management, operations and brand and drive marketing. 

  • Expertise developing and refining long-term growth models including the decision making for geographic investments and development of new consumer categories.

Shellie Davis,
CFO

  • Led financial integration, consolidation and performance across acquired businesses as CFO of Global Ventures, Coca-Cola.

  • Responsible for businesses totaling $2.6B in revenue and $300mm in operating income and led investment process from valuation through closing of over $9B worth transactions as Global Director of Mergers & Acquisitions at Coca-Cola.

  • Developed the appropriate investment structures and business models for transactions of all sizes, from multi-billion-dollar transactions to minority investments of less than $500k.

  • Shellie brings exceptional finance and M&A experience including deal structure, negotiations and diligence to the team.

John Larkin,
Senior Investment Partner

  • Headed Stifel’s transportation and logistics research effort before transitioning to the Investment Banking team.

  • Advised numerous publicly traded and privately held transportation and logistics companies as well as many financial sponsors with investments in the transportation and logistics space. 

  • Recognized as an all-star analyst by Institutional Investor numerous times, a Wall Street Journal All-Star analyst on several occasions, and has been awarded multiple StarMine stock picking and earnings estimate accuracy awards. 

  • Leading Venture 53s growth strategy while assisting with deal sourcing, capital raising, and the creation of value within portfolio companies. 

Amy Mack,
Operating and Marketing Partner

  • Experienced project manager in marketing and media with decades of Agency experience working with Fortune 500 Companies including AT&T and Coca-Cola. 

  • Led $100M+ annual communication budgets with extensive background in marketing research and analysis.

  • Amy works every day with the support teams that keep the fund(s) moving forward as well as managing the Venture 53 Brand and Communications.  Our support team includes contracted leads with heavy hitters in the Venture Capital space. 

Nancy Bojorquez, 
Principal

  • 25+ years in the supply chain industry.

  • Former Director of Sales at Estes Forward Worldwide leading a successful national sales team.

  • Began her career at GI Trucking where she started in Customer Care and quickly moved to outside sales and then Estes Express Lines through the acquisition of GI Trucking.  

  • Nancy’s goal at Venture 53 is to assist entrepreneurs in their journey towards their desired outcome.   

Bart De Muynck,
Advisor

  • Industry thought leader with 30+ years of Supply Chain and Logistics experience.

  • Worked with major international companies including EY, GE Captial, Penske Logistics, PepsiCo and several tech companies.  Most recently served as the Chief Industry Officer at project44.

  • Spent 8 years as former VP of Research at Gartner.

  • Member of the Forbes Technology Council, SCLA, WEF and CSCMPP’s Executive Inner Circle.

Jack Holmes,
Advisor

  • Former President and CEO of UPS Freight, one of the largest LTL carriers in the U.S. and a leading provider in truckload services.

  • Led UPS’s largest-ever domestic acquisition, Overnite and Motor Cargo,  rebranding as UPS Freight. 

  • Appointed by Secretary of Transportation as Co-Chairman of the National Freight Advisory Council in Washington, DC.

  • Previous Chairman of 10-4 Systems which went through a successful sale in 2017 to Trimble Technologies.

  • Currently the Executive Chairman of Emerge and serves on several boards.

Randy Mullet,
Advisor

  • Founder of Mullett Strategies, a DC based consultancy focused on transportation policy and new transportation technologies. 

  • Retired as a member of Con-way’s Executive Leadership Team in 2016 and has over 40 years trucking and logistics experience. 

  • Past member of US DOT’s National Freight Advisory Committee and has served on several public and private Boards. 

  • Randy currently focuses on helping transportation technology startups and remains deeply involved in the national transportation policy community.

Tim Story,
Advisor

  • Co-Founder and Managing Partner Third Axiom Solutions, software company built to help customers effectively link their analytics initiatives to their desired outcomes and industry-specific strategic goals.

  • Founder and CEO of Story Group, an award-winning integrated Creative agency.

  • Serves on the  Board of Director for leading transportation companies including Ward Transportation & Logistics Corp and MyCarrier.