James Higdon

Bio

Mr. Higdon has 30 years of direct operating experience in a variety of technology businesses, including smaller firms and publicly traded companies. Mr. Higdon was a Special Limited Partner in Verge I & 1.5, and continues in that role, working with select portfolio companies on a limited basis. Prior to Verge Fund, Mr. Higdon was Chief Executive Officer of CVI Laser Corporation, successfully completing the sale of CVI to a large private equity fund in 2003. CVI is a world leading manufacturer of the highest quality laser optical systems, providing optical components to the majority of laser system manufacturers throughout the world. CVI has been one of the largest and most successful technology-based companies headquartered in New Mexico with about 200 employees in Albuquerque and 400 employees worldwide. Mr. Higdon joined CVI in 1992 and provided leadership in building the company from a good, small optics shop focusing on the research market to a world leading optics manufacturer in key market niches such as ultra-violet optics for semiconductor lithography systems and contract opto-mechanical manufacturing services for large laser system companies. Prior to joining CVI, Mr. Higdon had 20 years of experience in the management of technology-based companies. His experience is in the areas of business and product strategy, corporate finance, cash flow and cost control, manufacturing efficiency, manufacturing planning and budgeting in a multi-facility, multi-national environment and strategic acquisitions. Immediately before relocating to New Mexico Mr. Higdon worked in Silicon Valley where he was Chief Financial Officer of a NYSE listed medical electronics company, Diasonics. He was, slo, Chief Financial Officer of a privately held analog semiconductor manufacturing company in California, Micro Power Systems. Mr. Higdon devoted the initial 14 years of his professional career to increasingly responsible management positions at a large electronics manufacturing company, Texas Instruments. He was, at different times, the senior financial and planning officer for business groups in the consumer electronics and resource exploration businesses with annual sales in excess of $250 million. Mellon Fellow at Carnegie-Mellon University. Mr. Higdon also holds a Certified Public Accountant certificate. Mr. Higdon represents Verge on the board of directors of ZTEC instruments. Bachelor's degree from the University of Houston with a major in Economics. He earned a Master of Science degree in Industrial Administration from Carnegie-Mellon University.