We view our investment relationships as collaborative partnerships. In addition to the investment of capital, we are actively involved in our portfolio companies participating in strategic, financing, capitalization and exit planning, as well as team building and recruiting. We leverage our broad network of relationships to provide relevant introductions and business assistance. We bring our knowledge of socially responsible management practices, working together with CEI to introduce workforce development specialists along with environmental, technical assistance and consulting relationships.
Our Board of Directors and Advisory Board provide governance, guidance, experienced insight and an extensive network of resources to the Managers.
CEI Ventures Team
Nat HenshawManaging Director
Chandler JonesManaging Director
Thao DuongFinance and Fund Administration Manager
Nat Henshaw
Managing Director
30 Federal StreetBrunswick, ME 04011207-535-2904nathaniel.henshaw@ceimaine.org
Nat Henshaw founded CEI Ventures, a for-profit venture capital subsidiary of CEI in 1993. As president, he directs the investment of community development venture capital into progressive companies in Maine and New England. Under his leadership, CEI Ventures has raised over $67 mission in funds from a mix of impact investors including individuals, foundations, community economic development entities and banks motivated, in part, by Community Reinvestment Act credit. Nat and his team have invested in 67 companies across five funds, helping to create 2,800 new jobs in geographic regions and with demographic populations often overlooked by traditional venture capital investors. He serves or has served on over 32 boards of directors. Previously, Nat worked as a loan and investment officer at CEI. In that capacity, he made loans to over 125 companies. Prior to CEI, Nat worked at Intersouth Partners (NC), Kitty Hawk Capital (NC) and Chemical Venture Capital (NYC). Nat holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from Duke University.
Chandler Jones
Managing Director
30 Federal StreetBrunswick, ME 04011207-535-2908chandler.jones@ceimaine.org
Chandler Jones joined CEI Ventures in 2012. Prior to CEI Ventures, he worked as a financial associate at a specialized financial services firm in Portland. In addition to his work at CEI Ventures, Chandler assists CEI’s loan department with credit analysis and creative debt/equity financing structures. He earned a B.A. in psychology from Saint Michael’s College, and an M.B.A. in finance from the University of Southern Maine.
Thao Duong
Finance and Fund Administration Manager
30 Federal StreetBrunswick, ME 04011207-535-2901thao.duong@ceimaine.org
Thao supervises the tax, accounting and administration of 3 active venture funds and their management company, CEI Ventures Inc. Her many responsibilities include: budgeting, annual audit preparation, account reconciliations; monthly, quarterly and annual reporting; monitoring idle cash investments, managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll functions, and maintaining the Funds’ portfolios. Prior to joining CVI, She worked in Workers’ Compensation at University of Maine and Refugee Immigration at Catholics Charities Maine. She received a B.S. in accounting from the University of Maine.
Board of Directors
- Betsy BiemannChief Executive Officer
Coastal Enterprises, Inc. - Elizabeth R. ButlerGeneral Counsel
Butler Law Offices LLC - Corson EllisEntrepreneur
- Frank J. GovernaliPrivate Investor
- Carlos R. MelloChief Executive Officer
Finance Authority of Maine - Uche Stanley OsujiManaging Director
Arctaris Impact Investors - Miriam L. SharkIndependent Consultant
Miriam L. Shark Consulting LLC - Sandra L. StonePrincipal
Sea Cove Solutions
Betsy Biemann
Chief Executive Officer
Coastal Enterprises, Inc.Elizabeth R. Butler
General Counsel
Butler Law Offices LLCCorson Ellis
Entrepreneur
Frank J. Governali
Private Investor
Carlos R. Mello
Chief Executive Officer
Finance Authority of MaineUche Stanley Osuji
Managing Director
Arctaris Impact InvestorsMiriam L. Shark
Independent Consultant
Miriam L. Shark Consulting LLCSandra L. Stone
Principal
Sea Cove SolutionsAdvisory Board
- John C Everett IVRetired, former Senior Vice President
Camden National Bank - Carl KopfingerSenior Vice President
TD Bank - Colin MarchCommercial Banking Sales Leader - Maine
Key Bank N.A. - Bruce G NickersonRetired, former Executive Vice President & CFO
Bangor Savings Bank