Cory L. Nettles

Cory L. Nettles is the Founder and Managing Director of Generation Growth Capital, Inc., a private equity fund focused on buyouts and providing growth capital to small businesses and lower-middle market companies in the upper Midwest. In his role as President of GGC and Managing Director of the General Partner, Mr. Nettles oversees all Fund strategy, marketing, transaction execution, and portfolio management activity. Prior to founding GGC in 2007, Mr. Nettles was a partner with Quarles & Brady LLP law firm. Mr. Nettles also served as Secretary for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce.

In this role, Mr. Nettles acted as Governor Jim Doyle’s “point man” on business and economic development issues. Key issues negotiated by Mr. Nettles included a $500 million venture capital package, banking and commercial lending legislation, and regulatory reform legislation. Through his various leadership roles in the business and non-profit communities, Mr. Nettles has built an impressive network of relationships that provide direct benefits to GGC and the Fund investments.

Mr. Nettles currently serves as a board member for several corporate and nonprofit organizations. These roles often place him “in the room” when major business initiatives are happening in our markets. These relationships also are key to sourcing capital and deals, and sourcing talent in support of our portfolio companies. Some of the current boards on which Mr. Nettles serves include Weyco Group, Inc., Robert W. Baird’s Baird Funds, Inc., the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, and Associated Bank. Mr. Nettles also served as a Senior Advisor to Baird Private Equity, which provided him with invaluable insight in the launch and management of GGC.

Mr. Nettles graduated magna cum laude from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI (1992) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School (1996). He has received several awards and distinctions, including the Thomas J. Watson Fellowship (post-graduate research in Africa and the former Soviet Union), University of Wisconsin-Madison LEO Fellowship, Dean's List, Ethel Brown Award, Mathys Memorial Award for Appellate Advocacy, Abe Sigman Award for Scholarship and Character, North Milwaukee State Bank Trail Blazer Award, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Connection 2003 Trail Blazer Award. Mr. Nettles also was named a “Wisconsin Super Lawyer Rising Star 2007”, and he’s a 40 Under 40 Award Recipient.

Mr. Nettles is married to Michelle S. Nettles.  Michelle is the Chief People and Culture Officer for ManpowerGroup.  They live in Milwaukee, WI.