Team

Mike Gwinn is a seasoned operator and investor who brings over two decades of military and strategic leadership experience to Vectis Volunteer Growth Partners. A retired U.S. Army veteran, Mike spent considerable time in Special Operations solving complex challenges and leading intelligence teams in trusted coalition environments. He now applies that same operational rigor and clarity to early-stage investments and value-aligned ventures.
As a General Partner at Vectis, Mike plays a hands-on role in sourcing, diligence, and portfolio strategy. His current work includes guiding advanced technology efforts for national security and government clients—helping shape unmanned systems and dual-use innovations that operate at the edge of mission need. Mike holds an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership from the University of Tennessee and applies Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) principles to drive strategic clarity, operational discipline, and team alignment. Across every engagement—whether advising founders, building investor trust, or stewarding long-term partnerships—he is driven by one principle: lead with integrity and build what lasts.

Kevin is an accomplished leader with expertise in marketing, business development, strategic leadership, and AI innovation. As the Founder and Managing Partner of VVGP, he leads a hybrid venture fund blending for-profit investments with nonprofit initiatives to drive economic growth, empower entrepreneurs, and create lasting community impact.
Kevin’s career includes leadership roles at Reynolds American, where he successfully managed $775 million portfolios, launched globally recognized brands, and delivered sustained top-line growth through innovative go-to-market strategies. With a strong foundation in AI and technology, he has integrated advanced tools into deal sourcing, portfolio management, and entrepreneurial mentorship, positioning VVGP as a forward-thinking, impact-driven venture fund.
At VVGP, Kevin focuses on building a sustainable ecosystem through small business investments, real estate, and growth equity, while fostering community engagement and mentorship opportunities through partnerships with accelerators, incubators, and universities.

Education:

Executive MBA, University of Tennessee
Bachelor of Arts, University of Kentucky

Taylor Pennings is a seasoned people strategist and executive leader with over a decade of experience driving organizational growth through culture, talent, and strategic human capital development. As a General Partner at Vectis Volunteer Growth Partners, she leads business and culture development initiatives, with a focus on supporting female-owned businesses and ensuring cultural alignment across the firm’s investment activities. Taylor brings deep experience across a range of industries—including hospitality, collegiate and professional sports—where she has built and scaled people-first strategies that drive performance, retention, and leadership development. Her expertise in talent and people strategy, equity-based compensation, and organizational design supports VVGP’s mission to create lasting value through inclusive and values-driven investments. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development from the State University of Oswego and an Executive MBA in Strategic Leadership from the University of Tennessee’s Haslam School of Business.

Jake is a seasoned operations and engineering leader with over 17 years of experience in the nuclear energy sector, including both commercial and military settings. With expertise in operational excellence, strategy development and execution, Jake has a proven track record of driving performance and fostering accountability in high-stakes environments.
A proponent of intent-based leadership and people-centric solutions, Jake is skilled at building high-performing teams, mentoring future leaders, and driving cultural change for long-term success. He has successfully developed and implemented strategic initiatives that align sector best practices with organizational goals and mission, improving efficiency, agility, and financial outcomes.
Jake’s influential leadership style drives effective collaboration with stakeholders at all levels, leveraging data-driven insights and innovative problem-solving approaches to address complex challenges. His ability to integrate technical expertise with strategic vision makes him a valuable asset in leading organizational transformation and delivering sustained results.

Education:

Executive MBA, University of Tennessee
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Tulane University
US Navy Nuclear Power School, Officer Program