The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has elected Bobby Franklin to become its next president and chief executive commencing in September 2013.
Franklin (pictured) comes to the NVCA from CTIA – The Wireless Association where he has served as executive vice president since 2006, following two and a half years as vice president of government affairs. He will succeed Mark Heesen who has been with the NVCA since 1991. Heesen will become president emeritus and remain with NVCA during the transition period to advise the association.
Franklin’s appointment concludes an extensive search led by Russell Reynolds and the NVCA search and executive committees. In a letter to membership, Josh Green, chairman of NVCA, expressed strong support for Franklin and a high degree of comfort with the search process.
“We approached this search with a great deal of rigor and a high set of expectations as our industry demands integrity, passion and a vision for the future,” says Green. “The fact that we had more than a hundred applicants for the job evidences the outstanding reputation of the NVCA. The excitement and overwhelming consensus that formed around Bobby Franklin is a testament to his credentials and ability to drive the Association forward in a manner that best serves the venture capital industry. We are thrilled to welcome him and look forward to the meaningful contributions he will undoubtedly make in the years ahead.”
Franklin will bring more than 20 years of public policy and association leadership to the venture industry’s trade group. As the executive vice president at CTIA, he was integral to all aspects of CTIA’s work on behalf of its member companies including public policy advocacy, board of directors engagement, oversight of operations, and day-to-day management of its 90 person staff. Prior to CTIA, Franklin led the Washington DC office of ALLTEL Communications, originally joining the company as vice president, federal legislative affairs. Before ALLTEL, he spent a year and a half as a consultant representing the nation’s land-grant colleges and universities. Franklin began his career in the office of US Senator David Pryor (D-AR) advising him for seven and a half years on issues before various senate committees including finance, agriculture, and government affairs.
Franklin says: “Innovation has and will continue to be a powerful driver for US competitiveness and economic growth and it is a privilege to lead an industry that plays such a critical role alongside entrepreneurs in improving the ways in which we work and live. The NVCA has a long legacy which we plan to preserve and incredible potential which we intend to realise. I am eager to engage with the venture capital and start-up communities and move forward to tell our story and make our mark.”
Heesen says: “My years with the NVCA have been beyond rewarding and I am extremely confident that the association will thrive under Bobby’s energy, management style and vision. Our members expect great things from NVCA, and I am certain those expectations will be exceeded under the new leadership. I intend to play a supportive role in the transition and look forward to remaining in touch with friends and colleagues that have come to mean so much to me, knowing that the association is in excellent hands.”
