Alumni Network - Profiles
Highlight on Anja Liisa Rice, Maine Business School Graduate
The University of Maine prepared me well for my career in private equity. I learned business analysis frameworks in Professor Mahon’s senior capstone class, general problem solving skills, and how to work with people with culturally diverse backgrounds during a semester abroad in France. These fundamental skills have helped me as my career has progressed.
I graduated from the University of Maine in 2001 with majors in Business Administration and French, and subsequently joined North Atlantic Capital in Portland, Maine. North Atlantic Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in technology and tech-enabled business services businesses. Some of the firm’s investments have included: Idexx Laboratories (Nasdaq: IDXX), Casella Waste (Nasdaq: CWST), and Cybertrust (acquired by Verizon). At North Atlantic Capital, I sourced and evaluated investment opportunities, advised portfolio companies on strategy, and developed and executed the firm’s marketing strategy.
Almost four years after joining North Atlantic Capital, I was recruited to join Capital Resource Partners (CRP) in Boston. CRP is a private equity firm with $1.1 billion under management that invests in growing businesses in the lower end of the middle market. Some of the firm’s investments have included: Softbrands (Amex: SBN), Kirkland’s (Nasdaq: KIRK), and PaySys (acquired by First Data). At CRP, I worked directly for the founding managing partner, sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities in the industrial technology and software industries. My career has been extremely rewarding because I learn something new every single day.
After two years at CRP, I re-entered student life as an MBA student at Harvard Business School; I will graduate in 2009.
Go Black Bears!
Anja Liisa Rice
Harvard |Business | School
MBA Class of 2009
Highlight on Edward J. Keefe – Class of 1986
I joined M/C Venture Partners as CFO in October 2004. The firm has managed over $1 billion of institutional capital, generating returns in the top quartile for venture capital funds. We are focused on investing in early-stage communications and related information technology companies. The firm has offices in Boston, SF and London.
The firm is currently investing M/C Venture Partners V; a $550M private equity fund raised in 2000 from institutional investors including the nation’s largest state and corporate pension funds, prominent university endowments and private trusts, as well as strategic financial institutions.
Edward J. Keefe, Chief Financial Officer
M/C Venture Partners
75 State Street Suite 2500
Boston, MA 02109
www.mcventurepartners.com
Mr. Keefe graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in finance from the University of Maine, M.B.A. from Suffolk University and a M.S. in Taxation from Bentley College. He is responsible for the oversight of the finance and administration activities, information technology and reporting to the Limited Partners. Prior to joining M/C Venture Partners in October 2004, Mr. Keefe was Vice President of Finance of Atlas Venture, which is a leading international early-stage venture capital firm, investing in communications, information technology and life sciences companies. Previously, Mr. Keefe also served as Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis at Instrumentation Laboratory, Tax Consultant at Coopers and Lybrand and as a Senior Financial Analyst at Raytheon Company. Mr. Keefe is a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce, Private Equity CFO Association and the Treasurers’ Club of Boston.
