Duane P. Donner II
Zane P. Tarence
J. Wesley Legg
J. Donald Matthis, II
Frank M. Dixon III
Joe H. Brady III
Bret S. Price, CFA
James R. Marlar
Bradley P. Johnson
Patrick L. Bradley
John F. Ortstadt
Marcus A. Handy
Jordan C. Van Horn
Blake A. Cummings
Charles H. Wheatley, III
Zane Tarence, Managing Director of Founders Investment Banking’s Internet and Digital Media Practice, is an experienced investment banker, entrepreneur and recognized expert on the growth and monetization of digital media, internet technology and software companies. Over the past 15 years, Zane has led and completed more than 75 technology deals, including facilitating one of the largest sales of a single-person blog in the world.
Zane also is a noted speaker at many national conferences, focusing primarily on product commercialization and technology value optimization.
Career Background/Career Experience
Before joining Founders, Zane independently and successfully created and sold two technology businesses to publicly-traded companies, resulting in a keen understanding of the traits necessary to build a valuable company and close an exceptional deal. Zane has more than 24 years of experience as an operator, investor and dealmaker in the technology arena. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Zane began his career at IBM, where he learned the intricate workings of the company’s technology ecosystems and managed its Internet consulting practice in the Southeast.
Education
Zane has a Masters in Organizational Management from Southern Christian University and received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University in Montgomery. He also holds Series 79 and 63 securities licenses.
Community Engagement
Zane currently is a Board member of Reliant Financial Group, Birmingham Venture Capital Board, EAP Mentorship, Alliance Consulting and Digital Media Holdings, and is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Alabama School of Law.
Zane is involved with several ministries through various roles, including serving on the board of directors for Route 1520 Ministries, course instructor at Family Dynamic, member of the Marriage Ministries at Church of the Highlands, founding board member of 4:8 Fathers “Birmingham Purity Ball” and past board member of AGAPE of Central Alabama. He also is a member of the Technology Advisory Committee at Briarwood Christian School and a past judge for Alabama Launch Pad.
A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Zane lives in Birmingham with his wife, Jamie, and his three daughters, Ellie, Mary Judson and Emma.
