Our Principals

David Stitt, Managing Director

David joined Banyan at its inception in 1999. Prior to Banyan, he spent 13 years at Vencap, Inc. and its predecessor, Vencap Equities Alberta Ltd., then Western Canada's largest investment company which invested approximately $300 million in 84 companies. David led investments in 13 companies in manufacturing, technology, consumer products and service sectors in Canada and the northwestern United States. David's investments returned profits of over $185 million. Prior to Vencap, David spent 16 years in a variety of senior management roles including managing two turnaround situations for companies in the manufacturing/technology sectors. David is a past director of 20 companies and is currently a director of Shanahan’s LP.

David Eisler, Managing Director

David joined Banyan in 2000. Prior to Banyan, David spent four years in investment banking with Scotia Capital Inc. where he assisted clients on initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions, and equity and debt financings in a variety of industries. David also worked for several years with a private high-growth business. David has a degree in Engineering from Queen's University, an MBA from the University of British Columbia and is a Professional Engineer. David is a partner in BCT-SVP, which is a charitable foundation that provides assistance to not-for-profit organizations. David is currently a director of Fios, Inc., Genoa Healthcare LLC, Q'Max Solutions Inc. and the Take a Hike Foundation and is a past director of Bevo Agro Inc., DTI Dental Technologies Inc. and ISR, Inc.

Brian Nixon, Managing Director

Brian joined Banyan in May 2007. Prior to Banyan, Brian spent four years as CEO of BC Research Inc. and was a Senior Vice President at BCE Media Inc. for four years. From 1993 through 2002 Brian was the President and CEO of Infosat Communications, Inc. In addition to holding the Certified Management Accountant designation, Brian has an MBA from the University of Calgary. Brian is currently a director of Independent Supply Company Inc., Q’Max Solutions Inc. and Tartan Canada Corporation and is a past director of a number of public and private companies.

Mike Martin, Chief Financial Officer

Mike joined Banyan in 2005. Prior to Banyan, Mike spent three years with an accounting and tax consulting firm in Vancouver and spent three years on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange as a trader with a proprietary options arbitrage group. Mike has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance) from the University of British Columbia, holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a Chartered Accountant. Mike is currently a director of Shanahan's LP and Tartan Canada Corporation.

SANTA BARBARA, California

George Clute, Managing Director

George has over 25 years' experience in the development and financing of emerging growth companies, primarily located in the northwestern United States. He is a founding general partner of OVP Venture Partners (Seattle), a leading institutional venture capital fund based in the northwestern United States with committed capital exceeding US$500 million. Prior experience includes corporate finance and corporate banking positions with The First National Bank of Chicago, Rainier National Bank and with a large equity hedge fund involved in a wide range of investments. George has been involved in the financing of over 200 companies. George is a past director of numerous companies including Foundstone, Inc., Isothermal Systems Research, Inc. and the Washington Software Alliance. George received his AB and MBA from UCLA.

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