James D. Howard, Jr.
Founder and Principal Shareholder
James D. Howard, Jr. is the founder, principal shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Dudley Ventures.
A native of The Bronx, New York, Mr. Howard earned his degree from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1980 and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1984.
Dudley Ventures was founded by Mr. Howard in 1996. Dudley Ventures has been an innovator in tax credit investment. Mr. Howard has authored numerous articles on tax credit investing and is a regular speaker at major New Markets Tax Credits conferences and many regional conferences. DV has invested and manages over $1 billion in tax credit investments. Mr. Howard is a Board Member of the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition.
Mr. Howard is a licensed member of the Arizona State Bar and holds the FINRA designation of Principal and Investment Banker. Mr. Howard also serves on the Advisory Board of BBVA Compass, an international bank with offices throughout the United States.
Johanna G. Kato
Chief Operating Officer
Johanna G. Kato is the Chief Operating Officer and owner of Dudley Ventures.
Ms. Kato formerly managed the Arizona office for a national real estate developer and tax credit syndicator of multifamily properties for five years. Ms. Kato also worked in the California and Arizona Consumer Loan Divisions with First Interstate Bank.
Since 1999, Ms. Kato has assisted with the growth of staffing over 20 employees at the headquarters' office with additional employees and offices around the country. Ms. Kato also played a key role in making Dudley Ventures an innovator in tax credit investments which has invested and managed over $1 billion in tax credit investments.
As Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Kato oversees all of the day-to-day business of the company.
Joel B. Superfon
Director of Investment Management and Advisory Services
Joel B. Superfon is the Director of Investment Management and Advisory Services of Dudley Ventures, a position he assumed in August 2006 following 10 years of combined financial, real estate, legal and strategic development experience. Mr. Superfon has led and closed transaction volume in excess of $500 million in connection with structured business and real estate financings utilizing benefits from multiple federal and state tax credit programs.
A native of Arizona, Mr. Superfon earned his JD/MBA from the University of Denver and his BS from the University of Southern California. He is currently a member of the Arizona State Bar.
Prior to joining Dudley Ventures, Mr. Superfon worked for Wells Fargo Bank servicing commercial business clients where he incorporated business and real estate underwriting, financial analysis, and business development skills to successfully grow and manage a middle-market portfolio.
Before joining the financial banking industry, Mr. Superfon held both director and manager roles in marketing and strategic development with Heidrick and Struggles and Korn/Ferry International companies, noted as the two largest executive recruitment firms globally. He was responsible for leading the marketing team, developing and managing strategic initiatives, implementing cross-departmental programs and negotiating and managing partnership agreements.
Barbara K. Beaudoin
Chief Financial Officer
Barbara K. Beaudoin is the Chief Financial Officer of Dudley Ventures, a position she assumed in September 2005. Born and raised in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona in 1978 and is a certified public accountant in the state of Arizona.
Upon graduation, Beaudoin joined the international CPA firm of Coopers & Lybrand, where she held audit and consulting positions with increasing responsibilities through the manager level. Her responsibilities included audit clients with public reporting requirements, initial public offerings and audit and consulting engagements for privately held companies in a wide range of industries.
In 1987, Ms. Beaudoin joined Jostens, Inc. as the controller for their Jostens Learning Corporation division. Her responsibilities during her tenure with them included the integration of several significant acquisitions and mergers, overseeing significant growth in the finance and accounting area. She was named the vice president of finance in 1991 and led the accounting, administration, information systems, and human resources functions for the division until her departure.
After a period of time as an independent consultant for companies in various industries, Ms. Beaudoin assumed her current position with Dudley Ventures. She is responsible for financial reporting and accounting for the Company and the enterprises for which it is responsible as managing member. She participates in the Companies’ overall strategic growth and planning.