2011 Speaker List

Jim Parsons is a Senior Relationship Manager for Silicon Valley Bank. He is responsible for business development in the bank's Western Division -- originating, structuring, and underwriting investments in early and growth stage technology companies, including the full suite of banking services to new clients.

Prior to joining SVB, Parsons was Senior Vice President and Managing Director at Horizon Technology Finance, a specialty venture debt firm. He opened Horizon's Western Regional Office, and built an investment team and a portfolio of commercial loans to early and mid-stage technology companies. His business development work included establishing Horizon's presence in Silicon Valley, Southern California, Washington state, Colorado, and Texas.

Previous to Horizon, Parsons served as Vice President at GATX Capital/GATX Ventures (where the Horizon team originated) for 13 years. He was responsible for business development in Silicon Valley, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas. Parsons' other experience at GATX includes financial analysis and structuring of various asset-backed loans, leases, and joint venture investments.

Parsons earned a Masters in Business Administration from The University of Michigan, and a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.