Jamie Danek

Jamie leads Humm with endless energy, abundant optimism and a big heart; traits that have enabled her to find success at numerous startups during a career spanning more than 21 years. Previously, Jamie founded and served as CEO and N ational S ales D irector of JLD Enterprises, a very successful consulting firm before pivoting to create EON Organics, a natural products company with distribution throughout the East Coast. Using the skills and knowledge gleaned from these successes, Jamie built Humm from the ground up and is now focused on defining strategy and leading the overall execution of Humm’s rapid expansion. Her passion to share the idea that great taste can be healthy is rivaled only by her desire to spread joy throughout the world. As a founding  board member of Kombucha Brewers International, Jamie is a national leader driving positive advocacy for the kombucha sector. Jamie has a Bachelor of Science Degree in international marketing from Temple University. She is an avid traveler and spends as much time as possible outside, usually on her mountain bike.

Michelle Mitchell

Michelle’s passion for kombucha started over a decade ago and led to her founding Humm. She is the primary keeper and driver of Humm’s amazing culture and brand ethos within our staff-centric organization as well as overseeing brewing methods and ensuring that the taste profile of Humm’s kombucha is both excellent and consistent. She believes her mission is to bring love and light to the world and is instrumental in creating an air of positive energy and forging a culture of joy and freedom at Humm. Michelle worked for 6 years in sales and fundraising for Great American Opportunities and the Southwestern Company, earning top sales awards each year before founding Humm. She is fluent in Spanish and studied Arabic extensively while spending time in the Middle East. She has competed in three Ironman triathlons and spent 3 years traveling around the world before settling in Bend, OR.  Michelle is a graduate of Central College where she studied Music and Spanish and Biology.

Jim Schell

A serial entrepreneur, Jim Schell brought four Minneapolis-based businesses to fruition over the course of 25 years. Following the sale of his last business, Jim turned to writing and has authored six books on small business to date, including one of the nation’s leading sellers in that category, Small Business for Dummies. Since moving to Bend in 1994, Jim has either founded or co-founded Opportunity Knocks, CO 2-1-1, Volunteer Connect, TEDxBend, Looking Forward, and City Club of Central Oregon. He also led turnarounds at the Humane Society, Partnership to End Poverty, and the Boys and Girls club, and is a past member of the Governor’s Council on Small Business. In addition to Humm, he is also Board Chair of Sudara, Opportunity Knocks and Looking Forward. Jim is a graduate of the University of Colorado. His wife Mary is also a successful entrepreneur.

Jon Marshall

Jon joined VMG Partners in 2012 and focuses on investment sourcing, transaction execution, portfolio company oversight and exit management.  Since its inception, VMG has partnered with entrepreneurs and management teams to provide a breadth of value-add resources in the areas of sales, marketing, branding, finance, operations and legal support which enable its partner companies to rapidly increase brand awareness, accelerate growth and build equity value.

Jon currently serves, or has served, on the boards of Humm Kombucha, Lantana Foods, Mighty Leaf Tea, and Vermont Smoke & Cure.

Jon has been an investor in branded consumer products companies for the last eight years.  Prior to his private equity career, Jon was an Analyst at Harris Williams & Co. and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Walter A. Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.

Gary Fish

Gary Fish – Founder and CEO of Deschutes Brewery, Inc., a regional brewery and brewpub located in Bend, Oregon with distribution in twenty-eight states.  Deschutes also operates a brewpub in Portland, Oregon.  Deschutes Brewery produced and sold approximately 375,000 barrels of beer in 2016. \

The brewery ranks in the top six craft breweries nationally for growth and volume and has won innumerable accolades both for the quality of its product and the business acumen behind its success.

For 24 years Gary served as president of Sagebrush Classic, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that conducted a charity golf tournament and dinner. The event attracted golfers from throughout the region and chefs from around the world. It became the region’s most successful charitable event, raising well over $3 million dollars. The proceeds benefited children’s charities in Central Oregon.

Kara Roell

Kara co-founded VMG Partners in 2005 and focuses on all aspects of the Fund’s investment strategy, sourcing, execution, portfolio company oversight and exit management. Since its inception, VMG has partnered with entrepreneurs and management teams to provide a breadth of value-add resources in the areas of sales, marketing, branding, finance, operations and legal support which enable its partner companies to rapidly increase brand awareness, accelerate growth and build equity value.

Kara serves, or has served, on the boards of Bbabyganics, Bare Snacks, Health Warrior, Humm Kombucha, KIND Snacks, Pirate Brands, Pretzel Crisps, Quest Nutrition, Solid Gold Pet, Sun Bum, Waggin’ Train and Vermont Smoke & Cure, among others.

Kara has been an investor in emerging, lower-middle-market branded consumer companies for the last 17 years.  Prior to her private equity career, Kara was an Analyst at the investment bank of Schroders plc and received her Bachelor of Arts in Economics and German from Colgate University.