Team

Thad Langford

Founding Managing Partner

After experiencing the funding gap between the coasts first-hand, Thad founded Flyover Capital to create the next generation of technology success stories outside of the traditional tech hubs. Before Flyover, Thad was CEO of Zave Networks (acquired by Google), a venture-backed marketing attribution platform, based in Kansas City. Prior to that, he served in executive leadership roles at Sprint PCS and Sprint Nextel during the formative years of mobile data and wireless wholesale services.

Post the exit of Zave Networks, Thad became committed to bolstering the early stage technology scene in the broader heartland region. He has been an active angel investor, an inaugural member of the Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Big 5 Steering Committee, an advisor to the Kauffman Foundation, and a TechStars mentor.

Thad graduated from the University of Arizona where he played on their NCAA ranked tennis team. He earned his MBA from the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thad is also an active member of the Kauffman Fellows Program, a global network of venture investors.

Outside of his life at Flyover Capital, he spends as much time as he can on the tennis courts with his wife and daughter.

Keith Molzer

Founding Managing Partner

From working on his grandparent’s farm in Nebraska to becoming a serial entrepreneur, getting his hands dirty is in Keith’s DNA. Keith has been an entrepreneur for more than 35 years, starting a variety of companies in the Kansas City region.

Prior to co-founding Flyover Capital in 2014, Keith founded Balance Innovations in 2004 and built the company into the leading developer of cash office software solutions for the retail industry (acquired by Brinks). Prior to founding Balance Innovations, Keith founded in worked with several other start-ups including Entrepreneurial Consulting Corporation which advised clients within technology, economic development agencies, state, and federal government agencies. Clients included the Kauffman Foundation, KTEC, NIST/ATP, KCCatalyst, and several state entrepreneurial initiatives.

Keith has a passion for supporting entrepreneurship and has spoken as a guest lecturer at Rockhurst University, University of Nebraska, the University of Kansas. Keith has also served as a mentor for KCSpark Lab, KC Pipeline, and the KC Tech Counsel. Outside of Flyover, Keith is also an active angel investor and has invested in over 15 deals throughout the Midwest.

Keith attended the University of Nebraska Lincoln, later receiving his BBA from Baker University and his MBS from the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University. Keith was awarded Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 and has received the Kansas City Business Journal’s Champions of Business award three times. Keith is active with YPO Gold, and currently serves as with Assistant Education Chair for the Kansas City Chapter.

When not supporting the next generation of technology success story you will find Keith on the golf course trying to find the elusive double eagle or in the backyard on his BBQ smoker perfecting his smoked brisket and ribs.

Tristan Mace

Managing Partner

Tristan is a Managing Partner at Flyover, where he focuses on expanding the firm’s initiatives, growing its brand, and sourcing and supporting portfolio investments. He is also Co-Founder and Chairman of Valeos, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming organ transplant outcomes through data, tech, and collaboration.

He spent a decade in New York City prior to Flyover, most recently as a Special Government Employee of the Executive Branch of the U.S. Government and a Venture Partner at Warburg Serres, where he led global Web3 investment strategy on behalf of Merck and AXA.

Tristan was a co-host of the 2020 United Nations AI U.S. Summit and has served on the Council of Experts for the U.S. State Department at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit hosted by President Obama, the Council of Judges for National Geographic’s World Legacy Awards, and several Host Committees at United Nations summits. He's regularly lectured at The University of Texas at Austin, Princeton University, New York University, and others.

He received his degree in absentia from The University of Texas at Austin with a BS from the Moody College of Communication’s School of Advertising & Public Relations and a BFP from the McCombs School of Business.

Originally from Texas and after a long stint in New York City, Tristan now lives in Kansas City with his wife, Jordan, their son, Carter, and puppy, Queso.

Marty Bicknell

General Partner

As the CEO and president of Mariner Wealth Advisors, Marty drives the strategic direction and growth strategies, analyzing and anticipating market trends and future opportunities for the firm. As a recognized leader in wealth management, he devises innovative solutions to meet the needs of our clients. He has extensive personal and professional experience with closely held family businesses and their unique complexities. He often mentors other successful entrepreneurs.

Marty, along with seven others, founded Mariner Wealth Advisors in 2006 with a goal of keeping the client at the center of all we do. He wanted to build a firm that could simplify our clients’ lives by having all the resources they need under one roof. The day the doors opened, Marty made the promise to put the clients’ interests before anything else…a promise he still holds dear to this day.

Marty has a bachelor’s degree from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.

He serves on the board of directors for the KU Advancement Board for the University of Kansas Medical Center and on the MRIGlobal Board of Trustees. He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and is a board member for the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City. He is also involved in supporting several organizations through his sponsorship and committee participation, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), KU Med Cancer Care, Youth Entrepreneurs, Global Orphan, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Marillac.

Marty was named in Investment Advisor’s 2016 Top 25 Influential People in the investment/financial industry, the Kansas City Business Journal’s 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014 Power 100 List and, under Marty’s leadership, Mariner has had the privilege of being ranked in the top two 2017 and 2016 Independent Advisory Firms by Barron’s.

Dan Kerr

Partner

Dan first recognized the opportunity to build a stronger middle American tech ecosystem as an intern for KTEC (Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation). More than a decade later, with experience at both early-stage technology companies and large financial institutions, he is excited to support the continued growth and development of the region’s tech community.

After graduating from the University of Kansas Dan worked in business development for Kansas City-area startup iModules. He has also served as Financial Officer and Program Manager for Lenexa-based Rhythm Engineering, a growth-stage traffic technology company. Prior to joining Flyover, he was AVP of corporate strategy and development at UMB Financial Corporation where he focused on merger and acquisition (“M&A”) transactions for the company. Previously, Dan spent several years at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago working with distressed banks during the financial crisis.

In his role at Flyover, Dan focuses on deal sourcing and analysis, and portfolio company support for Kansas City and the South and West regions of Flyover country. He actively visits and develops relationships in the startup and technology ecosystems in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina.

Dan earned his BS in Business from The University of Kansas and MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Patrick Berry

Principal

Patrick is a native Kansan recently returning to the heartland from New York City, where he spent the past few years in algorithmic product management. He has a passion for technology, business, and entrepreneurship that has led him to work with various early-stage tech companies in operations, growth, and PM roles. As the first employee of Dallas-based Robin Technologies, he witnessed first-hand the gap in early-stage funding in Middle America, which contributes to his earnest belief in the thesis and mission at Flyover Capital.

In his role with the firm, Patrick is focused on deal sourcing, due diligence, and portfolio company support. He actively visits and develops relationships in the startup technology ecosystems throughout the flyover region.

Patrick graduated from the University of Dallas with dual majors in Economics and Finance. He has a Graduate Certificate in Financial Planning from Southern Methodist University and is a Certified Financial Planner.

In his free time, Patrick enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, rooting on KC-based sports teams, reading economics books, training for his next race, traveling, and sampling new craft beers.

Katie Coens

Analyst

Katie Coens is a Kansas City area native with a passion for business, technology, and entrepreneurship. In her role at Flyover, Katie is focused on deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio company support, supporting the firm’s operations, and actively engaging with the Midwest startup community.

Prior to joining Flyover, Katie worked with BluWave, a Nashville based firm that connects private equity funds and the leadership teams of their portfolio companies with vetted consulting firms and individual consultants who can assist with needs along the investment due diligence process or value creation post acquisition.

Katie graduated from Belmont University in Nashville, TN with dual majors in Accounting and Entrepreneurship. Throughout her time in college, Katie spent the majority of her time competing in business competitions and working various internships encompassing startups, venture capital, and accounting.

Katie enjoys spending her free time with family, spending time outdoors, playing & coaching sports, traveling, attending sporting events, and working on her own ventures. Katie is excited to share in Flyover’s mission in investing and building a stronger tech ecosystem throughout the Midwest.