John Chavez

Biography

John Chavez is president of and active investor in the New Mexico Angels. Under his leadership, the New Mexico Angels have seen an increase of more than 100 percent in investments in new companies. An avid entrepreneur, Chavez founded the New Mexico Start-Up Factory in 2012, a company that spins out technology start-ups based on innovations from the University of New Mexico. Chavez is managing director and founder of Phase One Ventures, based in Santa Fe, NM, a start-up fund aimed at bio and nanotechnologies. Additionally, he is president of Tafoya and Brainerd Partners LLC, a nationwide business development consulting firm. Prior to this, Chavez was cabinet secretary of the Taxation and Revenue under New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson for six years and as president of the Federation of Taxation Administrators for one year. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the University of New Mexico Anderson School Foundation and the All Faiths Receiving Home Foundation. Chavez is a frequent guest lecturer on entrepreneurship and has addressed the International Economic Development Council annual summit and the 5th Annual Technology Transfer Conference by The Enterprise Center in Chattanooga, TN. He earned a BA in Economics, BBA in Finance, and an MBA from New Mexico State University. 

Research Interest

 Finance Economics