David Arcara is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Laconia. An entrepreneur turned investor, David has raised nearly $100 million dollars of angel and venture funding. David’s career spans over two decades in young, high-growth and turnaround media and marketing businesses. Previously, he founded DJA Media (acquired by Clear Channel) and co-founded UGO Networks (acquired by Hearst Corporation). He entered the investing world by founding Rubber Soul Ventures, where he focused on investments in emerging digital technology companies. David is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
No stranger to risk, David has been adventure skiing with his kids for 20 years, getting them started right out of the crib. He is also Laconia’s resident sommelier (after hours only, of course).
Jeffrey Silverman is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Laconia. An operator at his core, Jeffrey’s career has been focused on building and scaling early stage media and technology companies. Prior to founding Laconia, Jeffrey was the CEO and President of Integrated Color Solutions (ICS). During his tenure, ICS raised over $25 million in multiple rounds of financing from private equity investors and strategic alliances. Jeffrey also held several senior-level positions at DoubleClick, where he helped facilitate the successful sale of the Media Division to its competitor L90, which was later acquired by IAC. He entered the investing world by founding Laconia Ventures, the precursor to Laconia today, through which he built a portfolio of 20+ early stage companies. He is a graduate of Tulane University and attended Columbia University’s Executive Education Program.
The social butterfly of the team, Jeffrey has yet to meet a nonprofit that he’s not a part of - from Project Morry to Civics Unplugged to Friends of the Lake, the list keeps growing. He credits his enviable athleticism to coaching all 3 of his kids and their friends in baseball, basketball, softball, flag football, and soccer, earning him the title of “Funcle”. As the first Gen Z representative in his 50s, he wears his title proudly.
David Lee is the Managing Director of Laconia Venture Asset Management (LVAM). Prior to Laconia, David held senior leadership roles in the alternative asset management industry, as Managing Director of CSat Investment Advisory and Chief Operating Officer of RNK Capital. His venture capital experience includes Investor AB, Moore Capital Management, and Eos Partners. David is a graduate of Harvard College and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.
He credits his business acumen to his stints at the World Series of Poker Main Event. But his talents don’t end there - David is also a pop culture trivia buff (Geri, take note!).
Geri Kirilova is a Principal at Laconia. Prior to joining Laconia, Geri was a Business Associate at Techstars Internet-of-Things program, where she facilitated program operations and worked directly with ten portfolio companies on customer acquisition, growth strategy, fundraising, business development, and messaging and storytelling. As an operator, Geri managed a branch of Kweller Prep, a boutique educational services firm, leading hiring, training, sales, program management, client relations, and curriculum development. She is a graduate of New York University Stern School of Business, and holds a BS in Business with specializations in Information Systems and Management.
A lifelong New Yorker dragged over from Bulgaria, Geri began her venture capital career in Central and Eastern Europe at LAUNCHub in Sofia and Credo Ventures in Prague. By no means a pop culture savant, Geri counterbalances Jeffrey as Laconia’s resident Baby Boomer at heart.
Padma Rao is the Head of Community at Laconia. Prior to joining the Laconia team, Padma was the Director of Healthcare Business Development and Partnerships at Psocratic, a behavioral health AI startup. She was responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in hospital and healthcare systems, educational systems, and Fortune 500 companies. Before Psocratic, Padma served with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF in various capacities in development policy strategy and communications. Padma is a graduate of the George Washington University, and holds a BS in Neuroscience and a BA in Psychology,.
A somewhat reformed “hot zone” nomad, Padma has lived in, worked in, and traveled extensively throughout Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, though she considers jaywalking in NYC traffic alongside Jeffrey her most adventurous pursuit yet.
Garry Duncan, CAIA is the Managing Director of Market Development at Laconia. A seasoned veteran of the financial services industry, Garry was previously President at Verger Capital Management, where he was involved across all functional areas of the firm, including internal and external asset management, portfolio rebalancing, risk management, compliance, business development, and client management. Before Verger, Garry held senior leadership roles at PNC Financial Services. Garry holds a BA and an MBA from The Pennsylvania State University along with the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designation.
Though he began his career in sales and trading in New York and London, he first made waves performing on the Bob Hope On The Road To China special. A self-proclaimed aging squash enthusiast, Garry is a proud Philadelphia native, husband, and father.
