In Memory of John Huston
On January 29, a great man and friend passed away. John O. Huston was a committed champion for Ohio, for entrepreneurs, and for the growth of organized angel investor groups in the U.S.
I first met John more than twenty years ago. We were part of a group of individuals representing different cities and regions with a shared vision for seed stage investing as an emerging asset class driven by early-stage investors called “angels.” The big idea was that we angels would band together to leverage our knowledge and organize capital to provide access to seed stage funding for the high-growth businesses in our various states.
John was passionate and committed to the endeavor. With the assistance of the Kauffman Foundation, that effort became the national Angel Capital Association. John became Chair and ultimately Chair Emeritus of the organization.
I can still see John in his navy blazer and bow tie. He was an opinionated leader who worked for what he believed in tirelessly. He had great ideas and an astounding vocabulary. He was dedicated to mentoring those around him. Little did I imagine that ten years later I would be in Ohio, working shoulder to shoulder with John.
As founder and former leader of OhioTech Angels, John performed a groundbreaking and sustained leadership role here in Ohio. He was instrumental in establishing angel investing as a powerful and accepted asset class. He helped prepare the way for the launch of additional angel groups and funds, and he mentored hundreds of early stage investors and entrepreneurs.
John Huston was one of a kind. He will be missed.
In lieu of flowers, John would have appreciated donations to The Angel Capital Association (https://secure.qgiv.com/event/anginvfoup2p/team/890944/ or to give by check made payable to the AIF, mail to Angel Investor Foundation, 10977 Granada Lane, Suite 103, Overland Park, KS, 66211; phone (913) 894-4700. Notes of condolences can be posted on the Schoedinger website: http://www.schoedinger.com/obituaries/
