Partners’ Biographies
Michael Granger,
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Michael Granger is General Partner and Co-Founder of Ark Capital Management Fund, L.P., a Chicago-based private equity firm with a national investment scope, focusing on middle market companies. He is also Co-Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Ark-Private Equity Partners, LLC, a private equity firm focused on small company buyouts. Mr. Granger's areas of expertise include private equity investments, analysis of technology companies, buyouts, and growth acquisition transactions. Mr. Granger has been an active private equity professional for the past two decades, focusing on acquisitions for investment purposes and integration of businesses. In 1985 Michael began his private equity investment career at CIGNA Venture Capital, Inc. - the venture capital subsidiary of CIGNA Investments, Inc. Following CIGNA, he served as Investment Manager for Xerox Venture Capital, an early stage technology investment firm making strategic and financial investments on behalf of Xerox Corporation. In 1991, Michael co-founded Ark Capital Management. Prior to entering the private equity industry, Michael worked in the Bell System, AT&T, as Manager in the Special Services, Digital Data Group. He also served four years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Michael earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts in 1982 and an MBA from Dartmouth College, Amos Tuck School of Business Administration in 1985.
BUSINESS, CIVIC AFFILIATIONS AND OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Michael is also Founder and Chairman of Capital Access Forum, a Chicago-based company designed to improve access to capital for emerging entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, the Forum has had four successful conferences, bringing private equity firms and entrepreneurial companies together. His publications include: Case Study on Hospital Management Companies; an editorial piece in the Wall Street Journal on Capital Gains Tax Reduction; and a Study on Venture Capital Opportunities in the Telecommunication Industry (Tuck Today Magazine). In addition to serving on a White-House panel of industry leaders convened by the President's Chief Economic Advisors, Michael has also actively participated in numerous

Xcylur R. Stoakley is co-founder and General Partner of Ark Capital Management.  Prior to forming Ark, Xcylur was with Ameritech Corporation, and its predecessors, for over 20 years. He was a member of the Ameritech Investment Management Group for eight years as Manager for Venture Capital Investments. During that period, he met wit and reviewed a large majority of the partnerships which raised new funds. He has invested in over 100 separate funds and direct deals. He has committed in excess of $600 million in the private equity asset class, which has created over $2 billion in value for the Ameritech pension fund.

His experience in private equity partnership investing is unparalleled. During his tenure at Ameritech, he directed one of the most substantial investment programs ever developed for private equity. From that vantage point, he has had access to virtually every partnership in the market for new capital. His extensive knowledge of  and contacts within the private equity industry provide significant presence in the investment community. Xcylur has shared his experience and expertise in numerous forums around the world.

He serves on the Boards of Directors of Nina International, L.L.C., Dock’s Great Fish, Inc., Public Access Lighting, L.L.C., and Winfield Insurance Company. He also serves on the board of the non-profit Parent Resource Center of Dupage.

He holds a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Bradley University and his M.B.A. from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

© Ark Capital Management 2005