On KLM flight 590

We're on our way! This (in flight somewhere over Canada) is probably a good time to introduce the team of (ad)venture capitalists. I'll include photos as I get them.

Stephen is the most experienced (ad)venture capitalist on the team. This is his fourth trip, and he is the team leader in many respects. To describe Stephen as a genius is probably inadequate, but it's a good starting point. I've known him for about 10 years -- although we've not had a lot of close encounters like the one we're on now. He's an executive at a large, publicly traded firm in the graphic arts industry, where he is responsible for a wide variety of things. He has a disarming smile, a gentle spirit, and a wit that I'm still trying to figure out. And - he knows something about everything. He doesn't flaunt that -- just subtly engages in every topic with a steadily and slowly revealed depth of knowledge.

A genius!

It was in a conversation about weather that I realized just how geeky he really is (and as a geek myself, I use that term with the ultimate of affection and respect!). When checking the weather reports -- Stephen let us know that Chicago would have a lot of precipitation because the Omega Zone -- or was it Omega Field? -- had all the right characteristics.

Doug quipped that Tom Skillings was his source for reliable weather -- and TOM had never mentioned the Omega thing. But, sure enough, it's a real thing up there over our heads. Who'd know? Stephen!

Fuzz is the newest (ad)venture capitalist, and new to me as well. A professional journalist (Chicago bureau chief with one of the largest cable news networks), Fuzz has a rich baritone voice that would easily win him a spot on radio or TV as an anchor. He will be teaching the classes on project management and constructing a business plan. He's also keeping a blog of the trip, which is probably going to be a better reporting of the facts than mine will be. Although an experienced traveler, this is Fuzz's first trip to Africa I think -- and he shares some of my ambiguity about what to expect.

Doug Mann of course, is the "father" of all (ad)venture capitalists.  The founder and president of global business assist, Doug is certainly the most experienced traveler among us.  (He immediately reminded me that I am NOT supposed to take pictures at security areas!) Doug made the initial connections to  set up this training when he first met the leaders of Africa Assistance Plan in 2007.  AAP operates a variety of projects in Ghana, including bore hole drilling, schools, and a highly successful micro-financing program.

Then there's me -- but you know about me, don't you?  A man with too many revenue sources to give a job description! As we boarded the plane, we somehow got on a conversation about how servers could serve both decaf and regular coffee at once if they only had a two-chambered coffee carafe. As everyone (except Doug!) engaged in the conversation during boarding, I noticed that the fellow behind me and the one beside me were a little TOO interested. Turns out they are both engineers.  If you see a Mr. Coffee Twin coming out soon -- remember from whom they stole the idea!