2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Presented By: Bumper Lanes
Laurence Birch
Board Member
PE Advisor and Investor
Laurence P. Birch is a proven change agent and seasoned executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience across technology, life sciences, manufacturing, distribution, and professional services. Most recently, he served as CEO and Member of the Board of Directors of Anju Software, where he guided customer and product growth in clinical trial solutions and medical content technologies, culminating in the company’s sale to Valsoft Corporation in September 2024.
Larry’s career includes leadership roles as CEO of Evolve Audiology Group, Datatrak International, NeoPharm, Aksys, Ltd. Earlier, he was CFO at Technology Solutions, Inc.; VP/GM at Electronic Data Systems, and Director of Finance at Baxter Healthcare. He has also advised innovative companies including Prenosis and Molecula, reflecting his focus on technology and life sciences with an emphasis on driving measurable results for customers, employees, and shareholders.
Currently, Larry is advising several global PE firms on acquisition strategy, invests in start-up technology and life sciences companies through his fund, Beaver Island Capital, LLC and serves on the Board of Directors of the Residential Real Estate Council and School Health Corporation, and on the Board of Advisors for Sharper Sense. He is also a member of the Faculty at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management where he teaches leadership and strategy courses in the MBA Program.
Active in civic and industry organizations, Larry is an Executive Advisor to the Chicago Life Sciences Consortium, a Mentor at MATTER Chicago, an Industry Mentor for the National Science Foundation and past Board Member of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Larry earned both an MBA and MM from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management, a BS in Finance from the University of Illinois, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Louis Dodd
Founder
Dodd Diversified Holdings, Inc.
Louis P. Dodd has spent 50 years in financial services, and has received numerous awards for his work in this industry. Prior to his endeavors in the financial services industry; Dodd worked as a teacher for the Chicago Board of Education and served as the Director of General Education for the Chicago Youth Centers.
About 38 years ago, Louis built on his success in financial services and entered the hotel business as well. He served as co-owner for three Chicago lodging facilities: The Amber Inn, The Dew Central Motel, and the South Parkway Inn. He is currently a principal partner in The Chicago South Loop Hotel and The Amber Inn. As an adjunct to these hotels, Louis developed Pearl’s Place Restaurant (located within The Amber Inn) and The Chicago Rib Joint. Other past business experience includes serving as a partner in two other enterprises, the Rolls Royce Car Wash and Kermit Coleman Medical Center.
In recent years, Mr. Dodd has worked to increase his portfolio of hotel investment properties through his company, Dodd Diversified Holdings, Inc. Through this company, he has co-led groups to acquire Fairfield Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn & Suites properties. In 2018, this company led a group to acquire a minority interest in The Sable (a Curio by Hilton property) at Navy Pier, Chicago. Most recently, he co-led a group to develop a new Tru by Hilton, which opened in late September 2022.
From 1977 through 2003, Dodd served on the Board of Directors for Highland Community Bank in Chicago. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for Providence Bank & Trust. Mr. Dodd is committed to mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs; and through his agency office also participates in work study programs for high school students.
Martin Franchi
CEO
NinjaTrader
Martin Franchi builds high-performing teams, scales companies, and transforms industries. From start-up to scale, from private equity–backed growth to delivering exceptional enterprise value, Martin thrives on leading organizations through transformation and unlocking their full potential.
He believes that purpose and core values are the foundation of every great company. With a culture-first mindset, Martin ensures that strategy and execution are grounded in a clear vision that inspires teams and delivers lasting impact. He has guided companies through digital transformation, AI implementation, and industry-defining M&A, always with a deep conviction that culture is the ultimate competitive advantage. Known for his ability to read a room, assess talent, and get the best out of people and situations, [Name] emphasizes alignment, accountability, and operational excellence to keep organizations focused, agile, and positioned for growth.
As a fintech CEO, Martin has successfully led multiple fundraising rounds, navigated private equity transitions, and delivered strong returns for investors. More importantly, he takes pride in scaling consumer-focused companies—driving strategy, innovation, and operational excellence to transform businesses from promising start-ups into industry leaders.
Beyond his role as CEO, Martin is a lifelong learner, mentor, and investor, passionate about shaping the future of finance and beyond.
Mike Gamson
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Permanent Capital Ventures
Prior to co-founding Permanent Capital Ventures, Mike had a 20+ year career as an operator and investor. Most recently, Mike served as CEO of Evozyne, an AI biotechnology company that aims to create novel proteins to solve long-standing challenges in therapeutics and sustainability. Prior to Evozyne, Mike was CEO of Relativity, a legal technology company backed by Silver Lake and ICONIQ. Prior to Relativity, Mike spent 11 years on the executive team at LinkedIn leading the global sales team of more than 5,000 people driving more than $5 billion in revenue through the $26 billion exit to Microsoft.
As an angel investor, Mike has advised and worked with 100+ companies over the last 20 years. Mike is on the board of three non-profits: One-Goal, P33, and Green Schoolyards America. In 2019, he received the Entrepreneurial Champion Award from 1871 and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.
Mike holds an undergraduate degree in Comparative Religions and Fine Arts from Amherst College. Before jumping into Corporate America Mike spent a year running a surf lodge in Costa Rica. He currently resides in Chicago with his wife and three children.
Michael Werner
Founder & CEO
HomeX
Michael created HomeX based on his core value of being a positive force and with the vision of leveraging technology to radically improve the home services industry. Today, HomeX operates home service and commercial contracting companies in the Northeast and mid Atlantic states, and has investments in several successor SaaS companies, having sold their two tech businesses.
Prior to establishing HomeX, Michael was CEO of Globe Union Group and its Gerber Plumbing subsidiary, an international manufacturer of kitchen and bath products. He is also the former President of Werner Ladder Co., which was operated by his family for 75 years until he led its sale to Investcorp. He started his career as an M & A investment banker at Goldman Sachs in New York and has worked on over 100 transactions, including 30 as a principal.
Michael is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a master’s degree in Engineering Management and Science. Michael is the past Chairman of the Lymphoma Research Foundation, on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, on the boards of 1871 and several arts organizations and is active in the Economic Club and YPO.