Tal Johnson, Managing Partner

Tal Johnson has a unique combination of experience as an operator and investor. Prior to founding Adventure Funds in 2007, Johnson was CEO/President of Tazo Tea from 1995 until 2005. He led an team that grew Tazo from early stage operations into a national premium tea brand. Tazo was sold to Starbucks in 1999 and Johnson continued as president until 2005.

Prior to Tazo, Johnson worked in private equity as an Endeavour Capital associate. He was part of a team that made investments in radio (Deschutes River Broadcasting), building products (Lone Star Plywood & Door), manufacturing (Michael's of Oregon, Umpqua Feather Merchants), and beverage distribution (Columbia Distributing).

Johnson graduated from Harvard and has an MBA from Stanford Business School.

Tom Petroff, Investment Analyst

Tom joined Adventure in December, 2007 after working as a financial analyst at Intel and serving an internship within private equity. He performs financial analysis on potential investments, conducts industry and other research for the fund, and supports portfolio companies by developing scorecards and other tools.

He is a graduate of the University of Oregon where he majored in business.

Advisory Board

Adventure's Advisory Board provides input on fund strategy and other matters. Our advisors are value-added resources both for the fund and for portfolio companies as may be appropriate.

John "Rocky" Dixon is co-founder of Endeavour Capital, a leading West Coast private equity fund. He's an experienced board member and principal and has invested in companies such as Bi-Mart, Columbia Distributing, WinCo Foods, Warn Industries, Tazo, and several others. Rocky is active on several private as well as non-profit boards.

Darrin Kasteler is the Investment Manager for ALCO Holdings LLC, a privately-held Northwest investment company. He oversees strategic planning, asset allocation, investment selection and performance, and currently serves in leadership capacities on several boards and committees in both corporate and non-profit arenas.

Mike Mueller is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer for the Oregon State Treasury. He helps direct the investment division for the multi-billion dollar Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund, and other state funds. He previously worked as an auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick. Mike graduated from Stanford University and is a CPA and CFA Charterholder.

Bill Stoller co-founded and is Vice-Chair of Express Personnel Services, a $1.8b professional staffing, recruiting, and HR services business with offices throughout the US, Canada, and overseas. He is also CEO of the Stoller Group and a founder of Stoller Vineyards, a premier Oregon winery and vineyard.

Adventure Fund Limited Partners

Adventure investors include a range of CEO's, presidents, and entrepreneurs along with private equity and other M&A professionals. As a group, they have decades of experience in consumer products, manufacturing, retailing, and various distribution and service businesses. They are a source of advice as well as quality board members for portfolio companies.

Investment in Adventure Funds is restricted to individuals and entities that are accredited under SEC and applicable state regulations and which are approved by the Fund. For information, click here.