We are focused on leading innovative technology and emerging company opportunities in the biotech, gene-therapy, non-opiate pain and pharma/therapeutic spaces. Our record of success and breadth of expertise in these arenas has followed from our extensive network, alliance with leading innovators and CEOs, and an active approach to investing with thorough due-diligence and capital strength.
John D. Harkey, Jr. has over 25 years' experience as a private investor, chief executive and director in both public and private companies. He has merged, acquired, operated and/or served on the board of directors of eight public companies in biotech, energy, technology, aerospace, telecom, and restaurants, and private companies in healthcare, real estate, farm and ranch products and software.
He is the Founder of JDH Investment Management, LLC, which is focused on leading innovative technologies and emerging company opportunities in biotech, gene therapy, non-opiate pain and pharma/therapeutic spaces. He is Co-Founder and formerly Executive Chairman of the Board of AveXis, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVXS), which was acquired in 2018 by Novartis. AveXis develops proprietary gene therapies for rare neurological genetic diseases. He was a lead investor and served on the Board of CerSci Pharmaceuticals, which has a primary compound for a non-opioid severe pain reliever. CerSci was acquired in 2020 by Acadia Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ACAD). He is also a Co-Founder and currently serves on the Board of Cessation Therapeutics, a developer of vaccines for addictions to fentanyl, heroin and nicotine. He is also Chairman of the Board of Dialectic Therapeutics, Inc., which is developing cancer immunotherapies. He serves on the Board of Directors of Durvet, Inc., one of the nation's largest distributors of animal healthcare products. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Baylor Health Care System Foundation. He is formerly the Chairman of the Board of Regency Gas Partners, L.P. (NYSE:RGP, sold to Energy Transfer) and has served on the Board of Directors of the Energy Transfer, LP companies (NYSE: ET). He formerly served on the Board of Directors of Loral Space & Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:LORL) which merged with Telesat, and on the Board of Directors of Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:EMIS) which was acquired by Novo Nordisk, and formerly served on Board of Directors of Leap Wireless International, Inc. (NASDAQ:LEAP), which was acquired by AT&T. Mr. Harkey also serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Consolidated Restaurant Companies, Inc.
Philanthropically, John serves on the Board of Directors of The University of Texas System Chancellor's Council Executive Committee, the University of Texas Development Board and is Past Chairman of the McCombs School of Business Advisory Board at the University of Texas at Austin. He serves on the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors Research, Innovation and Commercialization Committee. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the State Fair of Texas, the President's Development Council of Howard Payne University, the Southern Methodist University Tate Lecture Series Board of Directors 2018-2024 seasons, the Baylor Scott & White Dallas Foundation Advisory Board, the CEO Advisory Board of Dallas Arboretum and the Executive Board of Circle Ten Council of the Boy Scouts of America, where he is a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award and the Distinguished Eagle. His commitment to Scouting was recognized in 2017 at the Boy Scout National Jamboree, Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia for his philanthropic gift establishing the John D. Harkey, Jr. X-Zone for High Adventure. He is also a Member of the Young President's Organization – Dallas Gold Chapter, serving as Education Chair and past Dallas Chapter Chair.
Mr. Harkey grew up in Brownwood, Texas, obtained a B.B.A. in Business Honors and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from Stanford University School of Business.
Stephen Friedberg is a seasoned executive with over a decade of experience in principal investing, growth strategy, and operations across private equity, venture capital, and growth-stage businesses. His industry expertise encompasses technology, energy, chemicals, biotech, veterinary services, aerospace and defense, and industrials globally.
Stephen serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Dialectic Therapeutics, a biotech company developing cancer treatments in collaboration with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University. Additionally, Stephen serves as an advisor to A Parent Media Company (APMC), where he was instrumental in the launch of Victory+, a D2C live-streaming sports network.
Furthermore, Stephen served as part of Google's Business Operations and Strategy team, advising senior leadership on pricing, monetization, and operational strategies across the Alphabet portfolio. His efforts identified significant revenue opportunities and optimized partnership models, contributing to substantial financial growth.
Previously, he served as part of the investment team at The Sterling Group, leading commercial diligence for new platform acquisitions and collaborating with management teams on strategy post-close.
Stephen began his career at Booz & Company (formerly Booz Allen Hamilton).
He obtained a B.B.A. in Finance with Honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. David Genecov was a dedicated physician in the field of Cleft Lip and Palate, Craniofacial and Pediatric Plastic Surgery. A 4th generation Texan, he graduated from the Plan II Program at the University of Texas at Austin (1985). David began his medical education at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio (1990) and then completed residencies in General Surgery at West Virginia University (1995) and in Plastic Surgery at Wake Forest University (1997). Dr. Genecov completed fellowship training in Craniofacial Surgery at the International Craniofacial Institute, where he was the director and owner. He was also an adjunct associate professor at Baylor College of Dentistry at the Texas A&M Health Science Center and taught residents and graduate students about cleft lip and palate and craniofacial surgery. His research was centered on cranial bone regeneration, three dimensional surgical planning techniques, and the use of stem cells in reconstructive plastic surgery. He was recognized for his medical service by Dallas Chapter of Hadassah, The Bnai Zion Foundation, D Magazine, Texas Monthly, Consumer Choice Awards and DFW Alliance for Healthcare Excellence. Dr. Genecov maintained American Board of Medical Specialties board certificates in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Genecov founded or co-founded numerous companies in the health care space including AveXis (AVXS – Nasdaq), Skin Within, Inc., Synergy Surgical Services LLC, eCosmetic LLC and Biolife Cell Bank LLC. He was a director of a Dallas pharmaceutical start-up, CerSci Therapeutics. He was the cofounder, CEO and President of Dialectic Therapeutics, an early stage oncology therapy company. He was a director and cofounder of Cessation Therapeutics, a start up biotechnology company in the substance use disorder space.
Dr. Genecov was involved civically in many ways. He served as a trustee at St. Mark's School of Texas where he was chairman of the Education Committee and also served on the Executive Committee. He was on the Plan II Visiting Committee, the College of Liberal Arts Advisory Board, and the Chancellor's Executive Committee, all at the University of Texas at Austin. He was a director at the Dallas Opera and served on the PTECH Advisory Board of the Dallas Independent School District. Along with his wife, Lisa, their philanthropic efforts were focused on education and children's healthcare initiatives. He had also been honored for his philanthropic efforts by the Dallas Jewish Historical Society.
Dr. Genecov lived in Dallas with his wife, Dr. Lisa W. Genecov. Together they had 4 children — Michael, Max, Matthew, and Megan. His hobbies included golf, hunting, fly fishing, and skiing. Dr. Genecov completed 5 Ironman long-distance races, including the World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.