Founding Partner & CEO

Larry D. Ingwersen

Mr. Ingwersen’s career has been focused on growing leading-edge technology businesses. He has been involved in data center development and operations since 1967. Mr. Ingwersen’s role is to provide strategic planning, sales/marketing, and technical expertise in support of the Aventus Data Center’s business, edge data centers for smaller communities.

Larry’s began his career creating technical solutions for US government programs such as NASA’s Apollo Program. After that, he joined Control Data, designing supercomputer systems hardware and becoming a P&L manager in his 20s. Control Data grew to be the world’s second-largest computer company during Mr. Ingwersen’s 15 years at the company. Then, Larry spun five new corporations out of Control Data that grew from start-up to IPO.  These five businesses attained an average annual revenue stream of $100M in less than two years from the market launch dates. After that, Mr. Ingwersen founded Tricord Systems, making the first true server system. Tricord grew to $100M in revenues and an IPO.

After Tricord, Mr. Ingwersen changed his focus to advising and supporting new entrepreneurs. He founded the Zebulon Group, which planned and implemented breakout initiatives for over 35 clients as large as Microsoft, Intel, Fujitsu, and Apple, before co-founding 5X Partners with Rod Johnson.

Mr. Ingwersen holds a degree in Electronics Engineering and has been the CEO of seven companies and a Board Member for more than ten growth-oriented technology companies.

Senior VP of Business Development

Marty L. Dehen

Mr. Dehen has been in the data center business since 2013. Mr. Dehen leads the 5X efforts to identify and qualify smaller communities to deploy edge data centers. Mr. Dehen has worked with Mr. Ingwersen and Mr. McClees in business development efforts for over ten years.

Marty started his career as a registered broker in the Minneapolis brokerage community. Marty recently dropped his broker license and focused on helping early-stage companies obtain financing through self-managed equity or debt offerings. Marty has raised over one hundred million dollars in venture capital, private equity, and IPOs for more than fifty companies. Before 5X, Marty was the Shareholder Services VP at Healthcare IP Partners from Dec. 2006 until January 2011 and Conservis Corp. from Jan. – Dec. 2011. Marty holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Moorhead State University and sits on the Board for Trinity Sober Homes, a highly successful non-profit, faith-based recovery organization.

VP of Business Development

Lance M. Dieken

COO

Galon D. Miller

Galon D. Miller is a US Navy Vietnam Veteran who served on active duty from 1973 to 1977 with two overseas tours to support our troops in Vietnam and the Indian Ocean. He served in the US Naval Reserves from 1977 to 1981 with an Honorable Discharge. Over the past 40 years, he has held Information Technology Executive Leadership and Management positions at A.C. Neilson, R.R. Donnelley Marketing, Dun and Bradstreet Corp., BORN Information Services, Microsoft Corp., and Target Corp.

For the past six years, Galon has owned and operated his own business as an SDVOB (service-disabled, veteran-owned business) in Cyber Security, as well as the founder of a non-profit 501(c)3 “Cyber Warrior Foundation,” that helps Veterans obtain certifications in Cyber Security. Galon is a tireless advocate offering career coaching, mentoring, and support to transitioning Military Veterans. According to his experience, the most effective method of healing the wounds of war is to engage in serving fellow Military Veterans.  He is on a volunteer mission to ensure the end of Veteran Suicide by offering his time to Project Got Your Back, LLC Navigator Program. Galon earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and Business Management from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.  Most recently, Galon was selected by the University of St. Thomas’ OPUS School of Management as a 2021 Melrose Principled Leadership Award honoree.

Managing Partner

Dale Creed Francis

Mr. Francis has decades of experience in the financial sector and economic industry. He is a Co-founder & Managing Partner of Minneapolis-based Vincent Companies, a privately held firm with multiple specialized divisions, including Vincent Real Estate, Vincent Development, and Vincent Data Centers. The Vincent Companies have built a strong reputation on being open, honest, and transparent.

Aside from co-hosting the podcast Trends With Benefits: Real Estate Investing, he is also Co-founder of a Chicago-based hedge fund.

In addition to his traditional business interests, Mr. Francis is a public speaker and author. His book, Preventative Wealth Care® – got protection?, has been extremely popular with investors and financial professionals alike. It’s available in paperback and e-book on Amazon.

Managing Partner

Ryan Litfin

Ryan earned his degree in Finance & Economics from Gustavus Adolphus College and over the better part of two decades has proceeded to successfully build a reputation as an industry leader and educator for investors, institutions, and financial professionals alike.

He is a Co-founder & Managing Partner of Minneapolis-based Vincent Companies, a privately held firm with multiple specialized divisions, including Vincent Real Estate, Vincent Development, and Vincent Data Centers. The Vincent Companies have built a strong reputation on being open, honest, and transparent.

Ryan is also a co-host for the Trends With Benefits: Real Estate Investing Podcast.

Managing Partner

Aaron Maciej

Mr. Maciej brings 15 years of experience in construction and development to the team along with a degree in Real Estate (emphasis in Marketing) from St. Cloud State University. He also brings knowledge in nearly all areas of commercial real estate, from finance to valuations to sales. His knowledge of the construction process was obtained by previously managing the operations for a commercial contractor, which involved processing loan draws and working with sub-contractors.

Mr. Maciej currently wears many hats from day to day but specializes in underwriting projects for development. His knowledge for development analysis, as well as operations, is vast and his attention to detail is impeccable.

Managing Partner

Brandon Laubach

Mr. Laubach has over 20 years of experience in real estate finance & development. He has a degree in Real Estate Finance with a minor in Business from St. Cloud State University as well as a degree in Manufacturing from St. Cloud Tech College. Previous to Vincent Development, he owned a commercial general contracting company as well as a commercial real estate brokerage for many years.

His deep knowledge and passion for real estate become immediately evident when working with him. Building lifelong relationships is a major key to his success in the industry and overall business model.