Joe sits down with Jeff Helminski, Managing Partner of Auxo Investment. He has compiled a diverse professional background over the past 20 years, including experience in private equity investing, manufacturing engineering, high-volume assembly operations management, and real estate development. Jeff helped start the Opportunity Resource Fund which supports homeownership, small business, and real estate development in Michigan. 

At his first job after college, he worked at General Motors, where they built 1,296 trucks a day--- one every 54 seconds, which made $10,000 net profit per truck to GM.

In his spare time, Jeff sits on the Spectrum Health Hospital Group Board and Broadway Grand Rapids Board and enjoys gardening, fishing, and singing in the shower.

For more information or to get in touch, email Jeff Helminski. Visit the YPO West Michigan Website for more information about how to become a member.

(2:08) - What drew you to YPO?

(3:17) - Jeff’s Background and early career with GM

(6:40) - Jeff’s move to Stanford and into Real Estate Development & Student Housing

(12:34) - Making the jump into private equity

 The Michigan Opportunity Fund 

(20:10) - What’s the process of selling to private equity? Why do people do it?

Questions from Mrs. Helminski

(23:14) - Would you rather be a farmer, Jazz singer or professional trout fisherman?

(27:04) - Which of your kids are most like you?

(28:02) - What does a typical week look like for you?

(29:34) - What makes a good and a bad board member? What are some low handing fruit for rookie board members to NOT do?

(34:19) - What are your plans for Oxo going forward and what do you hope to get out of YPO?

Joe Talks YPO is produced by Johnny Peterson & Straight Up Podcasts