Joseph B. Michael, CFA, is a Managing Director who co-founded Peppertree Partners in 2000 after working in the investment department of the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS Ohio) for twelve years. Mr. Michael was Manager of Alternative Investments at the $55 billion Columbus, Ohio-based pension fund and served as a member of its Investment Strategy Committee comprised of the senior investment professionals. Mr. Michael had been responsible for the pension fund's venture capital investments from 1988 until he left to co-found Peppertree Partners. On behalf of STRS Ohio, Mr. Michael committed in excess of $1.2 billion to more than 40 pooled-investment funds managed by more than 30 investment managers. He was directly responsible for the selection, due diligence, negotiation, and monitoring of all of these investments. Prior to his experience at STRS Ohio, Mr. Michael was employed by The Lincoln Electric Company where he held a variety of positions, primarily financial-oriented. Mr. Michael was awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation in 1988. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. from John Carroll University.