role: Partner

BEN VOEGELI: is an entrepreneur, born and raised in Wichita, Kansas. He possesses a vast amount of experience in both manufacturing and real estate. In 1991, after spending much of his childhood watching and helping his father at work, he chose to officially join the family business as a full-time machinist, at the age of 18. Exacta Aerospace, Inc. became the catalyst for his career, as he helped grow that business into one of the largest privately held aerostructure manufacturers in Wichita. They sold the company to a Fortune 500 industry leader in 2013 and set their sights on other areas, including commercial real estate. They founded Birds Eye Holdings LLC and quickly built their portfolio to include 750,000 sf of direct real estate and over 50 syndicated commercial real estate investments. Furthermore, they purchased Cocoa Dolce LLC, an artisan chocolate company, in 2015 and started MAX Aerostructures, another aerospace manufacturer, in 2016. Ben enjoys helping the next generation of entrepreneurs realize their potential through community programs.

TRENT SEBITS: is the Chairman and CEO of Pickrell Drilling Company, Inc. Pickrell is an oil and natural gas drilling, exploration, cable tools, dirt work and production company founded in 1948 in Wichita, KS. In 2009, he founded and currently oversees the Sebits Family single-family office. The Sebits Family Office owns a diversified set of holdings in Kansas farmland, energy production in Kansas and Texas, technology venture capital, banking, hedge-funds and public equities. Trent graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Policy from American University in Washington, D.C. Before beginning work at Pickrell, Trent worked for Koch Industries in its Public and Government Affairs division.

ALIF HOURANI, Ph.D. : Dr. Hourani served as Executive Chairman of Pulse Systems, Inc., a practice management and clinical record software company. He co-founded the company in 1999. Dr. Hourani was, until 2010, a board member of WellCare Health plans (NYSE: WCG) and a member of the audit committee, the compensation Committee and the Health Care and Quality Committee of the board. From 1985 to 1997, Dr. Hourani held various positions, including CEO of Physician Corporation of America/Data Systems, Senior Vice President of management information systems of Physician Corporation of America. Physician Corporation of America started in Wichita, KS and had a successful IPO in 1993. Prior to that, Dr. Hourani was Manager of Computer Engineering at the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation. Dr. Hourani received his undergraduate degree from the University of Lyon and his Master of Science and Doctorate from the University of Strasbourg in France.

GEORGE LAHAM: As President of Laham Development, George Laham has led the company in land and retail development in Wichita over the last 28 years. One of the company’s early projects, Bradley Fair, is amongst the nation’s first established lifestyle shopping centers. Bradley Fair is the flagship of the 320-acre Wilson Estates master-planned development, which includes office, residential, hotel and retail. Laham Development has been instrumental in bringing a succession of the nation’s foremost retail and restaurant concepts to Wichita including Athleta, Cabela’s, Chico’s, Gap, Newport Grill, Pottery Barn, Redrock Canyon Grill, Sephora, Williams-Sonoma and Trader Joe’s. Laham Development has also helped cultivate key local retailers and restaurants, contributing to their growth and success. Other Laham Development projects include: Plazzio, a 350,000 square foot retail and entertainment center located at 13th and Greenwich, including the 20-screen Warren Theatre and newly announced Chicken N Pickle; Berkeley Square, a 95-acre master planned development at 13th and Greenwich, which includes residential, office, and the new Walser Auto Campus; Regency Lakes, a 400,000 square foot shopping center anchored by Super Target and Cabela’s; and River Vista, a 202-unit luxury apartment project located on the west bank of the Arkansas River. George is a graduate of the University of Kansas where he studied Economics. He serves as a director on the boards of Fidelity Bank, Wichita Grand Opera and The Wichita Cancer Foundation.