Van Walbridge

Bio

Van Walbridge is an Operating Partner. Mr. Walbridge has more than forty years experience developing, manufacturing and marketing products for the electrical utility, telecommunications and construction industries. He currently serves as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee for Finch Paper. As CEO, Mr. Walbridge led an employee buyout in 1995 of Mobile Tool International, a leading manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial lifts, construction equipment, air dryers and underground safety equipment serving the electrical utility and telecommunications industries. The buyout structure included 76% employee ownership; a profit-sharing plan for all employees; and a Board of Directors comprised of company officers, outside members and employees. In five years, Mobile Tool International grew from $55 million to $150 million in sales with 950 employees and manufacturing facilities in seven states. As President and CEO, Mr. Walbridge initiated open-book management, interest-based union negotiations, additional product acquisitions of $30 million, and presided over the annual stockholders’ meeting. Mr. Walbridge has been awarded two U.S. patents for product design and was nominated for Colorado Entrepreneur of the Year in 1999. He has attended Executive Management Development at Northeastern University and the University of Wisconsin. Mr. Walbridge has participated in a number of professional and industry-related associations, including the Society of Automotive Engineers; the Board of Directors of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers; the Manufacturers of Aerial Lift Devices/Digger Derrick Council, which he chaired; the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry; the Governor’s Workforce Development Council; and the Manufacturing Division of Mile High United Way, which he chaired. Mr. Walbridge currently serves on the Board of Directors of two manufacturing companies that serve the construction and transportation industries.