Jon’s grandfather’s homestead is located just outside of Lake Preston, population 665. Jon grew up working on the farm in the summers, enjoying the lifestyle unique to a small rural community. Neighbors in this part of the country understood how dependent they were on each other and on the environment to survive. In this community, a premium was placed on honesty, neighbors supporting neighbors, a hard day’s work, and using resources wisely. At the farm, where resources were limited, the solution to any problem always called for ingenuity and entrepreneurship.

It was through their shared experiences in this environment that Jon and Jonathan became friends. With twelve-gauge’s in hand and scanning the horizon for pheasants, the two quickly realized that they both shared the same guiding principles that this small community valued above all else. Since then, they have owned several successful businesses together in a variety of asset classes. In a sale of one of those businesses the two came to know Jonathan Brooks. He also shared these same traditional values. Thus, the partnership naturally evolved with Brooks joining the endeavors moving forward. Today, the three Jons continue that partnership at Preston Ventures. Preston is a nod to that small town in South Dakota and pays homage to those principles that guide it – honesty, friendship, hard work, stewardship, ingenuity, and problem solving.

As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jon Nelson oversees the strategic growth and development of Preston Ventures. For over 12 years he has been leading the creation and procurement of mortality-based financial products and services for institutional clientele in the life settlements industry.

Prior to founding Preston Ventures, Mr. Nelson was a principal in both North Group LLC and NorthStar Life Services and a co-owner of North Channel Bank GMBH, a group of companies acting in concert as a direct lender, investor and service provider to the life settlements industry. Preceding Mr. Nelson’s various roles as principal, Mr. Nelson held the position of Managing Director for Pacifica Group, LLC, where he established himself as a leader in the life settlements industry. In his role at Pacifica, Mr. Nelson was responsible for mergers, acquisitions, and sales within the company’s mortality-based investments division. During his tenure, Mr. Nelson led and completed the acquisition of the country’s third-largest reverse mortgage originator, launched a new corporate subsidiary within the equity conversion marketplace, and grew Pacifica’s core life-asset acquisition business from $50 million to more than $600 million per month.

Mr. Nelson began his executive career as the founder and CEO of LoanFirst Technologies, a multi-million dollar venture-backed technology firm, which was successfully acquired in 2001 by HSBC’s consumer auto division. Upon acquisition, Mr. Nelson acted as director of the company’s Strategic Alliances Group, where he grew loan originations from inception to $1 billion in originations per year. Upon his departure in 2004, Mr. Nelson’s division was responsible for more than $1.3 billion in assets across 42 states.

Mr. Nelson holds a BA in Business Administration from the University of Sioux Falls.

As President, Chief Financial Officer and Partner, Mr. Jonathan Hogan oversees the day-to-day business operations of Preston Ventures, with integral involvement in both the firm’s life settlements and investment divisions.

Prior to co-founding Preston Ventures, Mr. Hogan was a principal in North Group, LLC. Mr. Hogan managed the firm’s overseas investments and was also responsible for structuring domestic and international life asset investment transactions for the firm and its clientele. During his tenure, Mr. Hogan spearheaded the successful completion of more than 30 unique life settlement transactions.

Preceding North Group, Mr. Hogan held various executive positions with such companies as Pacifica Group, LLC, Compass Bank (a wholly owned subsidiary of the nearly $800 billion BBVA conglomerate), and LoanFirst Technologies. Throughout his professional career, Mr. Hogan has developed a deep expertise in financial services, including financial products development, new product implementation, financial management, transaction structuring, and international life asset investments.

Mr. Hogan holds an MBA with honors from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, as well as a joint BS in Mathematics and Theology from Wheaton College, where he graduated Cum Laude.

As Executive Vice President and Partner of Preston Ventures, Mr. Jonathan Brooks leads asset analytics and due diligence for the firm’s life settlements deal team. His responsibilities also include life settlements asset management and valuation.

Prior to joining Preston Ventures, Mr. Brooks was department head of analytical teams at North Group, Capital One Financial, HSBC, and multiple acquired start-ups. In his previous roles, including Chief Credit Officer, Director of Business Analysis, and Director of Risk, Mr. Brooks has been responsible for the management and/or acquisition of more than $13 billion in assets.

With a 18-year background in structured product analytics, Mr. Brooks has developed a variety of proprietary analytical tools, financial models, and simulation programs using Monte Carlo and statistical methodologies to meet the needs of institutional clientele. Mr. Brooks’ development resume also includes life asset swap transactions, longevity protection coverage on structured transactions, and retail investment products in the life asset arena.

Mr. Brooks holds an MBA from the University of California at San Diego and a BA in Economics from Vanderbilt University.