General Investing >> CEO Interviews >> February 24, 2003
DONALD J. ELMER is the Managing General Partner of Pacific
Horizon Ventures, a Seattle-based venture firm focused
exclusively on the life sciences. Since founding Pacific Horizon
Ventures in 1993, Mr. Elmer has directed the creation of three
venture portfolios with a successful track record of over two
dozen investments. He currently is a Board member of Koronis
Pharmaceuticals, Illumigen Biosciences, Selective Genetics and
Novocell. His extensive operating experience came as an
entrepreneur after having spent 12 years in early-stage
technology companies as the CEO of both Cascadia Technology
Corporation ' a medical electronics company ' and Cygnet Systems
Corporation ' a software developer. He began his career as a
financial consultant at Price Waterhouse and later became the
Vice President-Planning at Holland-America Line. Mr. Elmer earned
degrees in Economics from Western Washington University (BA 1970)
and the University of Pennsylvania (MA 1972). Profile
BRUCE E. JACKSON is a General Partner of Pacific Horizon
Ventures. Mr. Jackson has spent his entire business career as an
organizational leader, teacher and coach. He has an intimate
understanding of how organizations develop and leaders emerge. He
is actively involved in four portfolio companies: Illumigen
Biosciences, Koronis Pharmaceuticals, TransMolecular and
Rasirius. Before joining PHV, he formed and managed a successful
professional practice addressing the organizational development
needs of early-stage, venture-financed private companies. He has
extensive, first-hand experience with team building, leadership
development and conflict resolution. At PHV, he becomes involved
with portfolio companies beginning with due diligence through
post-investment portfolio monitoring. Prior to his business
career, he was a Special Education Teacher and successful
swimming coach. He was educated at Washington State University
(BS 1970) and City University (MA 1992). Profile
TWST: Could you begin by giving us a brief summary of PacificHorizon Ventures?
Mr. Elmer: Pacific Horizon Ventures is a Seattle-based venture
firm beginning its 11th year. We focus on private