John Chavez is a numbers guy. Finance, investing, taxes, accounting, he’s done it all.

A Partner at OneTen, he is as passionate about deals, as he is about making them happen
here, in New Mexico.

He also currently serves as the Managing Director for the New Mexico Start-Up Factory I, II and III, where his team moves innovation from national labs and universities into viable, investable startup companies. Today, the Start-Up Factory now has 3 portfolios and has created 13 companies all based in New Mexico.

He was the President of New Mexico Angels for over 12 years and has been an active investor for over 15 years. Under his leadership, the NM Angels had an increase of over 100% funding of investment deals in new companies. The Angels were often leading investment deals, rather than following venture capitals into them.

Mr. Chavez has been an integral part of New Mexico’s economic development ecosystem.  He is responsible for creating technology showcase forums that have allowed Angel technology partners like Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University to have the opportunity of presenting technologies available for licensing to Angel members, Venture Capitalists and guests.

Mr. Chavez is also the President of Tafoya & Brainerd Consultants where he helps companies, organizations and entrepreneurs with business development, financial management, operational structure, investment opportunity and progressive execution.  He serves on several Boards as a member and leads several organizations as the Chair.  

Prior Chavez was appointed to serve as the Cabinet Secretary of the Taxation and Revenue Department for State of New Mexico by Governor Gary Johnson. Mr. Chavez held the role of Cabinet Secretary for six years and was also named the President of the Federation of Taxation Administrators.

John has a BA in Economics, BBA in Finance and MBA in Regulatory Economics from New Mexico State University. He has been featured in Hispanic Business Magazine, was awarded the Rainmaker and Power Broker award by Business First Magazine, and named CEO of the Year.