Howard Cann, Managing Partner
Howard is Co-founder and the Managing Partner of KEMA Partners. Howard has been involved in a multitude of strategic and financing transactions including new venture start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, private capital raising and venture capital investing.
In addition to his role as Managing Partner with KEMA Partners, Howard has served as a director, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer for many companies over the years. He currently serves as a Chief Financial Officer of WineCountry Media, LLC, director and Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Shaving Company. From 1981 through 2002, he was Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Planergy International Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Xcel Energy Inc., engaged in the alternative energy industry.
In 1981, Howard founded Cogeneration Capital Associates, a registered Broker Dealer, and Cogeneration Capital Fund, energy start-up venture fund, both of which were focused on the alternative energy industry. Prior to founding those firms, Howard established a specialized financial services company serving the electric utility industry arranging over three billion dollars in non-conventional financing.
Peter Cann, Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer
Peter serves as Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer, where he leads business development and oversees compliance, finance, and vendor relationships. He built KEMA’s placement agent business, recruiting the representatives and designing the systems that enable them to operate compliantly.
Before KEMA, Peter spent a decade at the global investment bank, Barclays, holding roles in both the Rates and Securitized Products divisions, working with some of the most sophisticated institutional investors in the world. He also helped design the firm’s interest rate derivatives pricing system. He previously held derivatives roles at HSBC and Bank of America Securities. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his family and has coached his children’s Little League teams.
Michael Cann, Partner
Mike is a Co-founder and Partner of KEMA Partners. In addition to his role with KEMA Partners, Mike is Founder and President of WineCountry Media, which owns and operates the WineCountry Network, the leading online destination for wine country travel and lifestyle. Prior to WineCountry Media, Mike was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TapDynamics, the leading provider of beverage data analytics services to the hospitality industry. In his role as CEO, Mike raised over $6 million in capital and led the sales, strategic and marketing efforts. TapDynamics’ clients and strategic partnerships include hospitality industry leaders such as Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday and In-Bev Anheuser-Busch.
Mike also spent 15 years as an investment banker. Mike spent 11 years at Banc of America Securities focusing on investment banking coverage of the financial institutions, general industrial, business services and technology industries. Mike’s strategic advisory and capital raising experience includes over $17 billion in aggregate transaction value including public and private debt and equity financings as well as mergers and acquisitions advisory assignments.
