DIRECTORS

Donna M. Cochener
(Chairman)

Donna has been a director of the company since 2009 including her tenure as Vice Chairman. Additionally she has served as a board member for all of CGCPI’s portfolio companies since 2008.

In addition to her involvement in CG, Donna is an attorney in Seattle with a focus on corporate law. She has extensive experience in company formation, corporate governance, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and securities matters. Donna’s securities work has included public offerings, private placements, private equity fund advisement, private investment in public equity (PIPE) offerings, 1934 Act compliance, and equity compensation.

Alex Young
(Director)

Alex served as an advisory director from February 2008 until July 2012 when he was elected as a statutory director.

Alex is a founding member of Bay & Baker, a consulting firm focused on operations process management and new product development. He has over thirty years of experience in portfolio management, enterprise risk management, operations management and Lean/Six Sigma. Mr. Young previously served on the Boards of Dii Group, Thomas Group and Zymos Corporation. He resides in Jacksonville Beach, FL.

Paul Smith
(Director)

Paul joined CGCPI as a statutory director in August of 2022.

Paul is currently the President of Ship Repair for BAE Systems, where he has worked since 2017. Prior to BAE, Paul held several senior executive positions at General Electric over a 10 year period, both domestic and international. Paul has a Master’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His other interests include DIY remodeling and global travel. He resides in Bethesda, MD with his family.

Richard Neff
(Director)

Richard was elected to the CGCPI board as a statutory director in May 2024.

His career spans financial, healthcare and business/tech-enabled services businesses, in product management, operations, and business leadership roles. For the past 10 years Richard’s worked as an operating partner/advisor in private equity, helping founders, owners and management teams get to their next level of success. This includes guiding two companies as CEO through strategic exits, one during Covid. Prior to that, Richard had an extended GE career at GE Healthcare and GE Capital. After being raised in the NY/NJ area and joining GE in CT, he and his family lived 10 years outside the US (Australia, Switzerland & the UK), plus over a decade in the upper-Midwest (MN & WI). Today Richard and his wife are empty nesters in Park City, UT, enjoying the mountain life. Their adult children – a daughter and two sons – also live and work in the western US.

Richard holds a BA from Rutgers University and an MBA from Columbia University. He's served on the boards of multiple service companies, banks, and associations and has achieved Six Sigma Master Black Belt certification.

MANAGEMENT TEAM

David Redfern
(President & CEO)

As of March 2019, David joined Cochener Garvey Capital Partners, Inc as the CEO. His most previous position was as the President of WaterWalk International LLC, Consolidated Holdings LLC, and a DeBoer Family Foundation board member. David has been involved with developing 440 hotels and starting five national hotel brands including Residence Inn, now owned by Marriott, Candlewood Suites, now owned by Intercontinental, and Hyatt House. David was President of the development and management companies with Value Place, now Woodspring Suites by Choice Hotels. At Candlewood, Redfern was responsible for hotel revenues, local and national sales with 140 reps, revenue channels, brand marketing, site feasibility, and sales training.

Redfern holds undergraduate degrees in business administration, and architecture and urban design from the University of Kansas. He graduated as a Linder C. Hobbs Entrepreneur Fellow at the University of California-Irvine MBA program. Currently, David is an adjunct professor at Wichita State University.

David and his wife have three grown children and have lived in Wichita since 1996. David and Jing are devoted and passionate about many non-profit organizations.

Timothy Short
Chief Financial Officer

Tim joined CGCPI in May 2025. He has over 25 years of experience in public accounting, with deep expertise in tax strategy, financial analysis, and accounting. Having grown up in an entrepreneurial family, Tim witnessed firsthand the dedication required to start and grow a business – a perspective that continues to shape his approach as a trusted business and tax advisor.

Throughout his career, Tim has worked across a wide range of industries and has been a valued consultant to CGCPI companies for more than 18 years. He is passionate about delivering exceptional service and building lasting client relationships.

Tim began his career as an auditor with Grant Thornton, where he developed a strong foundation in financial reporting and compliance. He went on to co-own and lead Fortner & Short, LLC for over two decades, overseeing firm operations, business development, client services, and team leadership. In 2021, the firm was acquired by Adams Brown, a professional services firm specializing in tax and audit. Tim continued there as a Principal before joining CGCPI.

Chris Widrig
Treasurer

Chris has been with CGF since 1997. She oversees the Treasury & Risk Management functions and is also responsible for oversight of ownership interests along with other of their investments.

Prior to joining CGF, Chris spent over 16 years in the financial services industry, most recently with Bank of America’s Kansas predecessor, Fourth Financial Corporation. Chris is a graduate of Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas with a degree in Business.

Joanne Ruggiero
Vice President Taxation

Joanne has served as the Vice President of Taxation at CGF since 2001. She is responsible for CGCPI’s tax planning and the preparation of related returns for over twenty companies, trusts, foundations and individuals.

Joanne began her career in public accounting and has more than 35 years of tax experience working first in public accounting and then for large companies such as Bank of America and Cessna Aircraft Company, as well as another local family wealth office. Joanne received both her undergraduate degree and a masters in accounting (with an emphasis in taxation) from the University of Kansas. She is a CPA licensed to practice in the state of Kansas.

Bruce G. Cochener (July, 1944 – August, 2012)

The current day Cochener Garvey was the brainchild of Bruce Cochener. He was a principal in the company for over 30 years. Bruce acquired control of the predecessor group, CGF Industries, and moved the company to Wichita, Kansas in 1997. He served in a variety of board and operational roles prior to and after the acquisition including Director, President, CEO and Chairman.

As a philanthropist, Bruce served as a trustee for the Washburn University Foundation, the Bruce G. Cochener Foundation, and the Cochener Family Foundation.

In addition to his involvement in CGCPI, Bruce was the cofounder/co-owner of InnVentures IVI, LLC, a Seattle based hotel development and management firm that developed, managed and sold over 20 flagship properties under the Marriott and Hilton flags during its existence.

Bruce’s vision for the company, its employees and his family are the foundation for our future. He not only provided his employees the opportunity to make a living, but more importantly, he encouraged all to have a life. He is missed by all of us.