Team

Christopher M. Austen

Managing Director

Mr. Christopher Austen is a Managing Director at Brooke Private Equity Associates. He joined BPEA in 2006 and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations, investment process and strategy implementation of the firm.

Mr. Austen has a diverse background as an entrepreneur, marketing executive and private equity investor. Prior to Joining BPEA he was CEO of BuildLinks, Inc., a Web-based collaboration and communication company for the residential building industry.

Previously, Mr. Austen was a Partner at Southeast Interactive Technology Funds an early-stage IT-focused venture fund based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Active at Southeast from 1998-2003, he played a role in all aspects of investing and portfolio management including fundraising, deal sourcing, due diligence, management recruiting and development of exit opportunities. Mr. Austen also represented the Fund on numerous portfolio company boards.

Early in his career, Mr. Austen specialized in marketing and business development, working with Fortune 500 clients and major advertising firms including BBDO, and Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB) in New York. At these organizations, his work encompassed significant industry analysis and resulted in the strategic positioning, marketing, and launch strategies for numerous successful products.

Mr. Austen has supported community organizations and was a Board member of the North Carolina Council for Entrepreneurial Development, the North Carolina Technology Association, and the Triangle Community Foundation’s Entrepreneur’s Partnership Venture Fund.

He was educated at Duke University and Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.