Team

David R. Grieve - Chairman and CEO
1992 - Present
David is the Founder and CEO of A&C Ventures. David started A&C Ventures in 1992.  Prior to founding A&C Ventures, David was a Senior Vice President at Arroyo & Coates, a commercial real estate firm in San Francisco.   At Arroyo & Coates, David was a disposition specialist to corporations, institutions and private owners.  He also spearheaded the firm's sale-leaseback and joint venture efforts.  Before joining Arroyo & Coates, David gained experience as a Senior Sales Associate at Marcus & Millichap in San Francisco where he brokered shopping centers throughout California.   David received a Bachelors of Business Administration (Emphasis in Real Estate) from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.

SG Ellison - President
2013 - Present
SG formed First Street Development in 2013.  In 2016, he took on the role of President of A&C Ventures, working in lockstep with David to manage its day-to-day activities of ACV’s companies.  Having spent the last 18 years in the retail development industry, including the last five in restaurant investment and acquisitions, SG specializes in development, program management, strategic planning and acquisitions.  Throughout his career SG directed development programs for clients such as CVS Pharmacy and JPMorgan Chase while helping develop over 300 properties for several Fortune 500 retailers.  SG holds a BSE in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University.

Kelly Allred - Chief Financial Officer
2014 - Present
Kelly is responsible for all financial aspects of the company, including oversight of the finance, capital raising, accounting, treasury and risk management functions.  Kelly joined A&C Ventures in 2014, bringing over 20 years of experience in the real estate industry. Prior to A&C Ventures, Kelly was the CFO of Peninsula Retail Partners, a commercial real estate development company based in Southern California. His prior experience includes roles as CFO of the Distinguished Companies, Vice President – Treasurer at KB Home and Principal for Bank of America’s National Real Estate.  Kelly received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on Economics from Claremont McKenna College.

Jennifer Blesius - Executive Assistant to David Grieve
2016 - Present
Jennifer supports David Grieve with all business and personal entities, including Grieve Family Winery. She is also involved in many aspects of the firm including investor summits, special events and non-profit efforts. Jennifer joined ACV in 2016 following a decade-long career with TPG Capital in San Francisco, where she most recently managed global meetings and logistics for their in-house Fundraising Team. While there, she was also responsible for coordinating the firm’s international conferences and annual events. She is on the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley and co-chairs their annual Fairways Fore Futures Golf Tournament. Jennifer graduated from Illinois State University with a BS in Health Information Management.

Arthur E. Kuller - Senior Controller
1993 - Present
Art oversees the banking, accounting, and property management functions of the firm and its partnerships. His responsibilities include accounting, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, tax preparations, financial reporting, and Lender management and procedures. Art joined A&C Ventures in 1993. Prior to joining A&C Ventures, Art worked in a variety of industries including retail, education and technology. He graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

John Hoffman - Executive Vice President of Business Development
2013 - Present
John joined the team in 2013 to focus on the expansion and development of our restaurant portfolio.  John works closely with restaurant brokers, investment bankers, the franchisor community and our investors.  John graduated from Stanford University with an BA in Economics and earned an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business. 

Emerson Simon - Vice President of Finance
2013 - Present
Emerson joined the company in 2013 to focus on the expansion of our real estate and restaurant portfolio while overseeing all underwriting, capital structuring and capital raises for the firm and its partnerships.  Emerson graduated from Santa Clara University with a degree in Finance and History.

Jason Stych - General Counsel
2022 - Present
Jason oversees all legal aspects of the company and its partnerships. Prior to joining A & C Ventures, Jason was a partner for over ten years at Kutak Rock LLP in Scottsdale, Arizona. His practice focused on commercial real estate transactions including matters specifically relating to the acquisition, disposition, leasing, financing, and management of commercial real estate throughout the United States. Jason graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He also received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nebraska and, thereafter, went on to receive a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in taxation from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. He is a member of the bar in Arizona (active status) and Colorado (inactive status).

Peter Wohlfeiler - General Counsel Emeritus
Before Jason’s arrival, Peter oversaw all legal aspects of the firm and its partnerships. Peter has represented A&C Ventures since it’s incorporation in 1992. Prior to joining A&C Ventures, Peter was a partner for over 25 years at Janin, Morgan & Brenner in San Francisco. His practice included representing operating companies and investors engaged in the acquisition, financing, development, leasing, management and sale of real estate throughout the United States. Peter attended Pomona College and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1974 with a Bachelor of Arts in History. He received his law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law, San Francisco in 1978 and is a member of the California State Bar.

Robert Brown - Director of Acquisitions
Robert oversees all aspects of the acquisition and evaluation process for A&C Ventures. With over 20+ years of experience in real estate investment, he brings unique knowledge and expertise in the identification, evaluation, underwriting, acquisition, and assembly of an institutional quality portfolio of assets for the company. Robert first joined A&C Ventures in 2003, and then rejoined the company in 2022, in the interim, he was the Chief Investment Officer and Fund Manager for DJM Capital Partners. Before his career in Commercial Real Estate, Robert had a 15-year career as an International Oil & Gas Exploration Geologist with various Atlantic Richfield Companies. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Geology from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas.

Tyler Walker - Director of Leasing and Investor Relations

Karyl Carter - Asset Manager

Jack Scherer - Financial Analyst

Conor Orton - Senior Paralegal

Natalie Curtis - Bookkeeper

Jill Wagoner - Sr. Portfolio Accountant

Elizabeth Akers - Executive Assistant
 

Scott Coleman - Associate General Counsel