John V. Celms, Managing Director
Los Angeles, CA

John Celms is a seasoned executive with a strong focus on finance, operations, and strategic business development.  He possesses over 25 years of corporate finance, investment banking, and international business experience and his industry expertise includes Information Technology, Alternative Energy, Telecommunications, Chemicals, Financial Services, Engineering, Software, Internet, and Manufacturing & Distribution.  Prior to Capital West Advisors, he was CEO of Hart Crowser, a financially troubled national environmental engineering company which under his direction was restored to profitability within two years. Prior to Hart Crowser, he was President/CEO of Seattle Silicon, a venture capital funded fabless semiconductor company designing proprietary ASICs. Under his leadership, Seattle Silicon was recognized as a Delotte & Touché Washington Technology Fast 50 company for two consecutive years and was successfully sold in 1999. He spent eight years as a Managing Partner for the Clarion Group, a Seattle corporate finance company helping northwest based businesses access investment capital. As such, he was instrumental in the financing of numerous companies primarily in the technology sector. John has worked throughout the United States, Hong Kong, and Eastern Europe.

John has served on the boards of Hart Crowser Engineering, Seattle Silicon, Precision Digital Imaging, Digital Harmony, Puget ChemCo, KAYU TV, and the Pacific Lutheran University Business School Advisory Board. He holds a Master’s of Business Administration Degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree from the University of Washington.