17 Jan CAV Angels Positioned for Continued Growth and Success

Charlottesville, VA – January 16, 2024 – Building upon a successful 2023 with investment in its 50th portfolio company, the addition of its 150th full accredited investor member, and its surpassing $20MM invested in the UVA entrepreneurial ecosystem, CAV Angels is pleased to announce the appointment of new board members and a new board chair as additional integral players in the UVA Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

The organization, which seeks to introduce high potential startups with a strong UVA connection to its network of UVA-related angel investors, is excited to welcome Scott Ukrop as the new board chair, and Les Alexander and Doug Garland as new board members. Alexander and Garland were elected to the board in 2023, and Ukrop was elected in 2024.

In addition, the organization has made some organizational changes. Co-founder, Rich Diemer, will now assume the title of Board President and Managing Director with former Board President Paul Nolde remaining on the board as a director.

Scott Ukrop is a managing director of early stage growth fund, NRV, based in Richmond. He is a Darden School graduate and has an extensive network across the Commonwealth and the venture community nationwide. In addition, he brings extensive board experience. Scott’s wife, Lilo, was a classmate of Scott’s at Darden, and she is a visiting lecturer there and serves on the Darden School Foundation Board. Their three children are all UVA graduates as well. His board experience on both for profit and not-for-profit boards will help guide the strategic direction of CAV Angels into its next chapter of growth.

Les Alexander serves on the faculty at Darden where he teaches classes in Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition in the MBA and EMBA programs. He is also a partner with Jefferson Capital Partners and serves on several for-profit and not-for-profit boards. Les has experience as an investment banker and a corporate executive. He received his B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia and his MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Doug Garland is a technology executive and entrepreneur, a veteran of the waves of innovation in Silicon Valley and a pioneer in mobile. He is now a Professor of Practice in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Engineering School at UVA. Doug has held executive roles with several tech companies leading the launch and scaling of new products, partnerships, and businesses during periods of significant industry transition.  Doug began his career in the U.S. Air Force and holds a Master of Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science and Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering from the University of Virginia, where he served as a trustee and founded the Technology Entrepreneurship Program.

“We are thrilled to welcome Scott, Les, and Doug to our board,” said Rich Diemer for CAV Angels. “Their diverse backgrounds and extensive experience will be invaluable as we continue to support and invest in promising startups with UVA connections.”