Ziad Ghandour FOUNDER
In 1999, Mr. Ghandour established TI Capital as a venture capital fund investing in early-stage technology companies, across ecommerce, SaaS, early internet, mobile gaming, and consumer technology, while developing a deep and robust network of proprietary deal flow that still exists today. Witnessing the excess and eventual selloff through the dotcom bubble gave way to new opportunities for TI Capital. As a director of a public U.S. midstream oil and gas company during the early 2000s, Mr. Ghandour headed overseas expansion with deals in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, while also building a successful project management and consulting business in the Middle East. He then developed TI Capital into a multinational family of companies with expertise in global private equity, large-scale real estate projects, and venture capital & growth equity investing.
Notable endeavors and partnership by Mr. Ghandour and TI Capital include anchoring and building a leading securitized corporate credit manager, providing the first institutional capital to the third largest POS and mobile payment solutions company, establishing a physical and digital banking and financial services platform across unbanked populations in West Africa, amassing one of the largest portfolios of cell-tower land leases in the U.S., bringing to successful IPO an Italian NPL servicer and a European rail ticketing platform, and currently developing one of the largest master-planned single-family communities in Northern California.
Prior to founding TI Capital, as a third generation “oil man,” Mr. Ghandour’s primary focus was on structuring oil ventures, successfully transforming a vertically integrated oil company in a globally diversified holding company. Mr. Ghandour holds degrees in business and political science from Pepperdine University and received an MBA from Pepperdine’s prestigious President and Key Executive program.
Outside of family and work, the activity he has been most proud of throughout his lifetime is his storied racing career, spanning from rallying to GT3 circuit racing, which he considers not only a motivational tool but a necessary breakaway from daily life trappings.
Aref Mikati Chief Operating Officer & Chief Technology Officer
Aref Mikati earned a degree in Chemical Engineering from ENSCT (Institut National Polytechnique – AIA7 in Toulouse, France). He began his career providing engineering support to large scale pipe and steel building manufacturers. Mikati expanded his expertise to include heading pharmaceutical manufacturing and operations and eventually served as Chief Operating Officer and Investment Technology Consultant for a U.S. based venture capital fund. His diverse technical and investment background has benefited a vast network of companies throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Mikati now serves as TI Capital’s Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technology Officer.
John Baayoun President, Real Estate
John Baayoun is a 30 plus year veteran of the real estate industry. John’s career began with a small private homebuilder before joining Lennar Corporation (NYSE:LEN) in 1998. For 20 years, John was part of Lennar’s Southern California team where he held multiple leadership positions with the majority of his tenure as division president for the Southern California Coastal division. He has been involved in various types of developments, from large master-planned communities to standalone projects including urban infill. John joined TI Capital in 2018 as president of Real Estate and brings with him a vast level of experience managing all aspects of real estate investments.
Jordan Plemmons Vice President, Investments
As Vice President of TI Capital’s investment practice, Jordan oversees the day to day operations of private equity, venture capital, and public equity investments including sourcing, due diligence, evaluating existing and prospective investments, and making investment recommendations. Jordan also takes an active role in TI Capital’s direct investments, working with management teams to create value in their companies and participating as a frequent observer to their respective boards.
Prior to his role at TI Capital, Jordan held various positions at J.P. Morgan Private Bank in New York, Seattle, and Los Angeles advising high net worth families and small institutions across investments, credit, and private transactions. Working extensively with businesses in the financial, consumer, and technology industries, he helped many founders build the team and structure necessary for a successful exit. Jordan received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Finance from Oregon State University.