Jeff Yao has led Prax’s investment team in successful deals including Suntech Power (NY: STP), Tianneng Power (HK: 0819), Little Sheep Group (HK: 0968) and China Sunergy (NASDAQ: CSUN). Also under his guidance, the Prax Real Estate Fund has invested in residential projects in Tianjin, Wuhan, Xi’an, Wuhu and Chengdu. Jeff serves on the board of Prax’s portfolio companies prior to their listing and his experience managing companies in China and the rest of Asia allows him to actively participate on an operational as well as a strategic level in company management.

Jeff was recognized amongst the Top Investment Professionals of the Year in 2008 and 2009 by China Venture and was awarded China’s Best Venture Capitalists of the Year for three consecutive years in 2007, 2008 and 2009 by Forbes China.

Prior to founding Prax, Jeff was the Director and Executive Vice President of Texpack Group, where he was responsible for its Asian operations. During his 15 year tenure, Jeff led Texpack’s entry into the Mainland China market through three greenfield start-ups and the acquisition of an existing operation. Jeff was also responsible for the entry into the Indonesian and Indian markets as well as the management and expansion of an existing operation in Taiwan. Jeff began his career in Taiwan with over 15 years of progressively senior management positions with General Electric & RCA. He holds a BA and an MBA from Central University.

José Luis Artiga brings an unique entrepreneurial approach to the private equity investment process through his extensive 26 years of global experience as the President and CEO of Texpack Group, a multinational manufacturer of paper products with sales in 52 countries and factories in U.S., China, Taiwan, Indonesia, India, Spain, Mexico, Greece and Italy. José Luis has led Texpack during its twenty year expansion into new geographic and product markets, resulting in consistent and successful growth. His involvement in China since 1987 and his extensive experience as an entrepreneur brings a unique entrepreneurial approach to analyze and evaluate investment opportunities, and he utilizes his extensive business experiences and contacts to provide valuable advice to portfolio companies.

Being the chairman and the co-founder of Prax Capital, José Luis helps to lead and set a high standard for the Prax family and create an environment that fosters team work and creative solutions.

Fernando R. Vila is responsible for the legal, tax and financial aspects of the business, with special emphasis on fund and investment structures, valuations, contract negotiations, risk management, due diligence and monitoring of portfolio investments. He is responsible for the fund raising activities of the firm.

Prior to founding Prax, Fernando was the President and CEO of Iberia Tiles Corporation, a distributor and retailer of ceramic, marble and natural stone tiles in the USA. He was a Certified Public Accountant and worked with KPMG from 1981 to 1985. Fernando has more than 20 years experience in business management and investment operations, which brings a keen knowledge and international perspective to business management and capital market.

Fernando holds a BA in Economics and an MBA from Florida Atlantic University.

Michael Xu is a partner of Prax and joined the Company as its first employee in 2003. He is responsible for deal sourcing, investment analysis, evaluation, contract negotiation and initial public offerings of the portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Prax, Michael worked at New Margin Ventures, Kamsky Associates, Inc. and Deloitte & Touch, providing strategic consultancy. Michael has more than 10 years experience in venture investment and business advisory in China. He brings to the team a strong capability and extensive experiences to source, analyze, evaluate investment opportunities, to deal negotiation, and to initial public offerings of the portfolio companies.

Michael holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a law degree from Ningbo University in China.

Meilan Gan joined Prax in 2006. She is in charge of investment strategy of the real estate practice, identifying, evaluating and acquiring projects.

Meilan has over 15 years of banking and finance experience and wide exposure to the real estate industry.

Prior to joining Prax, Meilan was an Executive Director at Zhongan Real Estate Group, a Hong Kong listed company which specialized in 2nd tier city residential and commercial development. From 2000-2005, Meilan worked for Asian Construction and development limited, a German invested development company in central China, where Meilan was responsible for acquisitions and for formulating and implementing the development and marketing strategies for various projects. From 1993-2000, Meilan held various positions with Deutsche Bank in Germany and with WestLB and LBBW in Hong Kong where she was focused and mainly responsible for structured real estate financing transactions covering the major Hong Kong developers and their investment activities in China.

Meilan is a member of China Commercial Real Estate Association. She is a native of China and holds a BA from Wuhan University and an MBA from Melbourne Business School in Australia.