Our Team
Gordon Ommen, Principal
Gordon serves as Principal for Capitaline Advisors, which he founded in 2002. In addition to a proven track record as an entrepreneur and leader in the renewable energy industry, he has more than 25 years of experience in banking, investing, and building and managing successful businesses. In 1989, Gordon began his executive career as President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director of Coastal Virginia Bank in Virginia Beach. Three years later, he was named to a similar role with Fishback Financial Corporation, a multi-bank holding company with $1 billion in assets located in Brookings, SD. In 1997, Gordon assumed additional duties as President and Director of First National Venture Capital, a subsidiary of First Bank and Trust, also in Brookings.
In 2004, Gordon, Capitaline, and a group of investors launched US BioEnergy Corporation, a producer and marketer of ethanol and distillers grains. He became CEO and Chairman of the Board in December 2005. One year later, US BioEnergy launched a successful IPO trading on the NASDAQ Global Market.
Gordon was named a finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2007. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Economics from South Dakota State University, where he has served as an adjunct Professor of Economics. He is a frequent speaker at business and academic forums on biofuels and sits on several corporate boards.
Over the past two decades, Gordon has bought farmland for his own portfolio and today holds nearly 1,000 acres. He grew up on a farm in eastern South Dakota where he still enjoys returning to hunt and fish. Gordon and his wife Jerilynn live in White Bear Lake, MN, and have two grown children.
Chad Haselhorst, VP/Portfolio Manager
As Vice President and Portfolio Manager for Capitaline, Chad conducts the financial analysis and modeling for potential investments and monitors investments in current portfolios. He is active in the oversight of a number of Capitaline’s portfolio companies and has constructed comprehensive financial models for analyzing ethanol, biodiesel and wind power companies. At Capitaline's Brookings office, Chad provides investor relations services and sits on the boards of several ethanol plants representing the firm's investment interests in these companies.
Chad graduated from South Dakota State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Economics and a minor in Ag Marketing. He grew up on a family farming operation in north-central South Dakota and has been actively involved in the operation with his father and brother since. Chad owns and operates a 1,100 acre cash grain operation, where he raises corn, soybeans and wheat.
Chad and his wife Ashlee live in Brookings and have two young children, Taya and Thatcher.
Steve Paula, Investor Relations
Steve oversees both current and potential investor communications and outreach for Capitaline, and holds a degree from the University of Minnesota.
Steve began his career as a funeral director with his father in 1974 before purchasing two Mister Donut franchises in Rapid City, SD in 1976. After expanding to Sioux falls, they sold the restaurants in 1981 and purchased a Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, GMC and Mazda dealership in Brookings, SD. He quickly expanded the dealership and purchased the Chevrolet and Cadillac dealerships combining them all under one roof and ultimately positioning it for a sale in 2001. Steve served as President of the South Dakota Auto Dealers Association from 1998-2000.
In addition to his position at Capitaline, Steve is a part owner of a Pizza Ranch franchise in Waseca, MN with his nephew, holds board positions with the Brookings Noon Lions Club and the United Retirement Center Foundation Board, and manages more than 400 acres of family farm holdings in eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota.
Steve and his wife Rachel live in Brookings, SD and have two grown, married children.
David Bierman, Financial Analyst
David has served as Capitaline’s Financial Analyst since 2010. He is involved in evaluation, financial modeling, forecasting and budgeting for Capitaline’s farmland portfolios and also performs in-house accounting. Before coming to Capitaline, David interned as a Commodity Risk Management Consultant for Hurley and Associates.
David holds Bachelor Degrees in Agriculture Economics and Agriculture Business from South Dakota State University. He grew up on a farm in Northville, South Dakota and continues to help his family on weekends and during the planting and harvest seasons.
Kathy Ploof, Director of Administration
Kathy has served as Capitaline’s Director of Administration since 2008. Prior to coming to Capitaline, she worked for US BioEnergy as the Executive Assistant to the CFO and the General Counsel. Kathy also worked as an Executive Assistant and Design Center Manager for a local homebuilder in the St. Paul area and has over 20 years experience in various administrative support roles.
Kathy and her husband Mark live in Eagan, MN, and have two grown children and two grandchildren.
Jacob Ommen, Marketing and Business Development
As Capitaline’s Marketing and Business Development Manager, Jacob is responsible for the firm’s marketing and communications as well as developing new client relationships. From 2006 to 2008, Jacob was a manager for Creighton University's Division of Information Technology where he helped manage day-to-day operations of student employees and was a member of the sales and support team for the Student Purchasing Program.
Jacob holds Bachelor's Degrees in Visual Communication, Advertising and Public Relations from Creighton University. He lives in Saint Paul, MN, and enjoys training his dog for hunt tests.
Amber Carda, Administration
Amber is responsible for the administrative functions in the Brookings, SD office. Prior to working for Capitaline, she worked for the Boys & Girls Club of Brookings, SD for more than six years. She worked with parents, children, board members and donors.
She also owns ARC Studios, an eastern South Dakota photography studio and is deeply rooted in the Brookings community.
Amber and her husband Ryan live in Brookings, SD and have three young children, Rowan, Isla and Lenore.
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