Ross Iverson Bio

With a degree in finance from University of Colorado Boulder, and as an Executive Scholar at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, Ross has built his career around balancing finance, market expansion, and leadership within organizations. At 23, Ross took on the challenge of transitioning a family enterprise. After taking the helm as President, was able to grow the firm 400% in 4 years and positioned it for an exit to an outside buyer in 2008. Ross then launched Strategic Architect to help owners with revenue between 5M-100M optimize the performance of their firms and set up the proper transition plan for exit. Through this work, Ross has trained over 5,000 leaders on implementing cash flow, debt structures, sales strategies, and marketing plans in order to unlock value in their firms. He has worked closely with over 40 companies to help the owners plan for exit, merger, or transfer their business holdings. The technical experience of transactions and his time in the boardroom developing strategic plans has positioned Ross well for private equity transactions and portfolio company growth. As Chief Investment Officer, Ross works he closely with investors, structures co-investment opportunities, and is an active in deal structuring as part of the Manna Tree investment committee. Ross has donated his time and resources to help build the first ever leadership certificate for the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. He has developed the first ever co-working spaces to promote start-up activity in the Vail Valley and has supported the training of over 2,000 government leaders to enhance community effectiveness. He has also been a committed supporter of Trout Unlimited and US Fish and Wildlife through conversation efforts in his ranch developments in Montana. Ross’s love for food investing has been a lifetime in the making. He grew up stocking shelves at his grandfather’s local grocery store and learned about crops from his father who was a farmer. He became increasingly focused on health when he moved to Vail, CO in 2012, and began to observe the intersection of nutrition and physical performance. He then supported his wife in the launch of her cookbook publishing company and followed her around the country to top culinary events to gain a better understanding of food in hospitality. Food has become a centering part of Ross’s family, and he works hard to educate, promote, and now invest in healthy food that will help his 3 boys grow strong!