Team Bios

Jim Stallings is the Founder and General Partner of PS27 Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in B2B software, FinTech, and AI solutions. He has 30+ years of experience in the startup industry and has launched and invested in dozens of tech ventures. Prior to founding PS27, Jim held multiple executive roles at IBM, serving as General Manager for its $25 billion global hardware division, $7 billion Linux software unit, and 39,000-patent intellectual property division.

Jim earned a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Naval Academy before serving as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and beginning his corporate career as a data analyst in General Electric’s Space Division. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) and Cannae Holdings (CNNE).

Tony Cusato (Technical Delivery Manager, IBM Thought Leader - Level 3,The OpenGroup Distinguished Certified IT Specialist) of IBM, has nearly 37 years of experience as a Technologist working with IBM's Fortun 500 enterprise clients in the Information Technology field, specializing in Cloud and IT Datacenters, and Cybersecurity. Tony has worked with the PS27 companies by bringing this experience to accelerate decisions in IT Strategy and Security, as these companies grow in size and IT needs.

Tony is passionate about the development of people. He is a social eminence, personal and career coach for IBMers and IBM Executives, and loves to also bring that experience to the PS27 entrepreneurs and their companies. Tony is a frequent speaker and presenter at IBM Flagship events, as well as nonprofit STEM organizations such as the "FIRST Tech Challenge" and other global IT events.

Tony has held a variety of other roles at IBM such as a World Wide Technical Team Lead for Managing Consultants, World Wide Technical Sales, an IBM Instructor, Strategist, IBM Special Events Webmaster, Global Organization Change Manager, and Stakeholder Manager Lead. Global IT projects Tony has led technology teams for; three World Wide Olympic Infrastructures and websites, PGA & ATP sporting event websites, and IBM's Supercomputer Deep Blue, showcasing IBM Artificial Intelligence event that beat the reigning world chess champion Garry Kasparov. You can connect with Tony on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter and view his digital credentials on Acclaim.

Shannon Mayo is the Operations Manager at PS27 Ventures, where she drives organizational efficiency and strategic growth for the firm. She oversees daily operations, talent acquisition, and process improvements, while orchestrating high-level engagements with PS27’s Limited Partners, portfolio founders, and service partners. 

Shannon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business with a concentration in Finance from the University of North Florida, complemented by international business studies in Santiago, Chile, and Mendoza, Argentina. She brings a strong background in operations management, event execution, and strategic compliance, and is a Certified Notary Public.

Steve Sahd is a highly skilled and experienced business professional who is able to advise PS27 company founders on a wide variety of issues and challenges. With over forty-five years in sales, finance, international business development, operations, and IT leasing he has faced pretty much every type of problem a business can encounter.

As an IBM sales rep, international product team leader, front-line sales manager, business unit executive, business unit CFO, and geographical sales executive, Steve has lived these experiences from a variety of perspectives. His specialties include leadership development, transactional sales, financial analysis, and any form of problem-solving. He possesses excellent communication skills along with exceptional relationship skills that transcend cultural backgrounds. In addition to a three-decade IBM career, Steve was responsible for the Asia Pacific region at ITXchange and started his career in public accounting. Steve earned his Bachelor of Science from Franklin & Marshall College and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh in addition to being a non-practicing CPA. Steve also serves as a director for the Community Conservation Committee in Lancaster, Pa., and maintains an extensive business and personal network in Latin America.

Ron Burgess joined the PS27 team in early 2017 shortly after his retirement from his role as Chief Financial Officer for Wounded Warrior Project, a Jacksonville headquartered not-for-profit dedicated to serving wounded and injured military veterans. With over 40 years of fiscal and organizational experience, Ron is a U.S. Air Force veteran. He has earned his B.S. in Accounting from Bentley College and MBS from Stetson University.

Ron is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and has worked for public accounting and Fortune 500 technology firms. His most recent corporate position was with Key Technologies, a $100 million, publicly traded manufacturer of automated sorting systems. Shortly after coming to Jacksonville, he joined a small technology company in need of a CFO. During his 2-year tenure there he experienced firsthand the challenges entrepreneurs face and the critical importance of leadership, discipline and support. Seven years ago, Ron assumed the role of CFO for the Wounded Warrior Project. As a Vietnam veteran, it seemed like the perfect way to wrap up a career and give back. He is now working with PS27 to support entrepreneurs and job development.

Kim maintains the accounting records for the PS27 funds and assists its portfolio companies with their bookkeeping and reporting needs.

Kim came to PS27 Ventures in 2021 with 13 years of experience in accounting and financial operations, reporting, and analytics for various start-up companies and small businesses. Most recently, she assisted the start-up company, Prima Eye Group, from inception through ongoing operations growth. Kim then led the financial due diligence for the eventual sale of the company and assisted in the integration of Prima into the acquiring company.

Kim also worked for KPMG for 4 years in audit and consulting and is a CPA (inactive). She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Missouri Columbia.

Chris Byers is Director of Finance and Investments at PS27 Ventures and a member of its Investment Committee. He leads financial due diligence, assessing business models, unit economics, capital requirements, and downside risk to inform investment and follow-on decisions. He also oversees fund and portfolio financial analysis, valuation review, and LP reporting, with a focus on disciplined capital allocation and transparent performance measurement.

Chris brings nearly 30 years of corporate finance and operating experience, including senior finance roles at Office Depot and Jarden Consumer Solutions. He holds an MBA in Management and Entrepreneurship and a BBA in Finance and International Business from Florida Atlantic University.

Hale Bullen is the Investment Manager at PS27 Ventures, where he leads investment due diligence and sits on the firm's investment committee, managing the full deal lifecycle from sourcing through execution and portfolio support. He rebuilt the firm's investment infrastructure, scaling annual deal flow through AI-driven sourcing and analysis systems he architected, and has advised on transactions across both the buy and sell sides. Prior to PS27, Hale spent eleven years as a U.S. Navy nuclear engineer leading reactor operations aboard an aircraft carrier. He is also the founder of The Jacket Club, a custom apparel brand for Naval Academy alumni and midshipmen.

Hale earned a Master of Engineering Management with a focus on AI and data analytics from Duke University and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he competed as a Division I distance runner.

Venkat Koka is a passionate entrepreneur/executive/investor with a focus on adding positive impact/value to the community at large. He grew up in India and immigrated to the United States in 1993, in pursuit of higher education. He has earned a PhD (Molecular Biology) and an MS (Biostatistics) degrees from NC State, along with an MBA from UC San Diego. He has 15+ years working in Life Sciences/Pharmaceutical industry, 13 of which were with Janssen Pharmaceuticals (a JNJ company).

He moved to Jacksonville FL, 9 years ago, and has been working as an independent medical practice consultant. He is also an executive at Rainbow Pediatric Center that started in 2004 and has grown to mid-size practice with 4 locations.

He is pursuing his interest in creating value as an angel investor and has recently joined PS27.