Combining Financial Advice with Business Strategy

In Memoriam: Frank Rhem Atkinson 1941-2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and friend, Frank Atkinson. Frank served as a Senior Advisor with the Perreault Birmingham Group (PBG) since 2007, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and experience from a distinguished career spanning more than four decades in international private equity and high-tech venture capital. He began his professional journey with Continental Capital Corporation in San Francisco, before moving into international project development as Vice President of Triad Holding Corporation. His work with Triad led him to live and conduct business in Beirut, Düsseldorf, and London, with a particular focus on markets in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, and Tunisia. Following his time at Triad, Frank went on to establish the Investment Management Group for Imperial Bank in Los Angeles, expanding his private equity focus to include Latin America and Hong Kong. His entrepreneurial spirit and vision later led him to co-found the HMS Group in Menlo Park, California, and the InterArab Investment Fund in Amman, Jordan, and Muscat, Oman. A pioneer in the venture capital community, Frank was the founder and first President of the Western Association of Venture Capitalists—the industry's first professional trade association. Headquartered in Menlo Park, the association now includes 130 Silicon Valley venture firms and over 800 individual members. Frank earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University, where he played varsity football, and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. Notably, he supported his graduate studies by playing professional football with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, their children, grandchildren and their families. Frank in his quiet, understated way was an inspiration to his family, to many in the Stanford community and in the business and sporting world. He will be remembered not only for his professional accomplishments but also for his warmth, integrity, and generosity of spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.