Ron Heffernan

As Managing Partner of Mountain Pacific Venture Partners, Ron sets the vision and strategy for the firm.
Originally from New York, he has become a champion for life sciences in Utah and other emerging life sciences markets.
A licensed investment banker, serial entrepreneur, and investor, Ron brings a wealth of experience and a well-informed, balanced perspective to helping companies access the people, capital and resources necessary for commercial success.
Ron co-founded Lead Dog Development, a life sciences venture studio that provides comprehensive support to early-stage life sciences companies from concept to commercialization.
He is also a managing partner of RL Project Investors, a real estate investment fund spearheading the renovation and repurposing of a landmark hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.
In 2014, Ron co-founded Church & State, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit co-working space and business incubation platform.
Previously, Ron served as CEO of multiple technology companies, most notably Lead Dog Design, an award-winning web development firm serving numerous Fortune 500 clients which was ultimately acquired by Bridgeline Software [NASDAQ: BLIN].
His leadership earned him prestigious recognition as one of Ernst & Young’s top entrepreneurs.
Ron started his career as a top-tier sales representative for Olympus Medical, Circon ACMI and Pitney Bowes.
An avid skier, lacrosse coach and jiujitsu practitioner, Ron received his BA in Economics from the State University of New York at Albany and completed Executive Education classes through The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
He holds Series 62, Series 63 and Series 79 licenses.