Vic Keller

Keller is from Dallas. He later recalled working in fast food as a teenager and doing heating and air-conditioning work during summers, experiences that shaped his understanding of service and business.⁠[1][2]

He graduated from Texas Tech University.⁠[3]

He worked in commercial banking at JPMorgan Chase before moving into Wynn International’s automotive businesses and company operations.⁠[3]

He founded carXperience and partnered with Cecil Van Tuyl the following year. The business developed into automotive maintenance and related services.⁠[3]

D CEO reported that ZAK grew from one product in 2002 to more than 120 automotive chemicals by 2015, alongside electronic purchasing and vehicle-protection businesses.⁠[4]

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association named him one of four recipients of its Impact Award: Four for the Future, identifying his affiliations as Van Tuyl Group and Phyzix Automotive.⁠[5]

ZAK Products announced its inclusion in the Inc. 5000 ranking of growing U.S. private companies at number 3,727. The ranking concerned company growth, not its founder’s personal wealth.⁠[6]

Berkshire Hathaway acquired his automotive businesses. D CEO reported that the price was undisclosed; the businesses included ZAK Products, ZAKTEK and NEXEMO.⁠[4][7]

Following the acquisition, he continued leading ZAK and assumed senior responsibilities at Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, including parts, service and employee professional development.⁠[8]

He was a finalist for EY Entrepreneur Of The Year in 2015 and 2016. The published designation was finalist, rather than overall award winner.⁠[3]

He joined Ancor Capital Partners as managing director and managing partner, moving into private equity and portfolio-company operations.⁠[8]

Capital Southwest announced debt financing and an equity co-investment supporting Ancor’s acquisition of healthcare-research business STATinMED, quoting Keller as Ancor’s managing partner. He subsequently served as STATinMED chairman.⁠[9][8]

Optimization-software company Optym appointed him to its board effective July 1, announcing the appointment on July 30.⁠[8]

He became Optym’s CEO effective November 4. The company announced the change on January 23, 2020, alongside founder Ravi Ahuja’s move to chief science officer.⁠[7]

Optym’s January 2020 announcement described him as having recently founded Dallas private-equity firm KLV Capital. It did not specify the firm’s exact founding date.⁠[7]

He acquired North Carolina-based AUTEC Car Wash Systems, a manufacturer of automatic soft-touch, touch-free and combination wash equipment.⁠[10]

Contemporary coverage listed Christensen Arms and AUTEC in KLV’s portfolio and identified technology, manufacturing and consumer brands among its areas of interest.⁠[11]

School of Hard Knocks Podcast published an interview about business failures, partnerships, company sales and reducing dependence on the founder. The episode described seventeen businesses built and nine sold; these figures came from the guest and program, not an assessment of personal net worth.⁠[2][12]

His official profile identifies him as the founder of Experience Ventures. Its work includes preparing private businesses for sale, improving operations and financial presentation, and developing approaches to prospective buyers.⁠[13][14]

He runs entrepreneur communities, virtual discussions and gatherings through EPIC Boardroom, and one-to-one business conversations through EPIC Strategy. His website also lists founder retreats focused on business decisions and leadership.⁠[14]

KLV Capital’s public biography lists aviation and cycling among his interests.⁠[1]

Personal website: https://vickeller.com/ (opens in a new window). X: https://x.com/vickeller (opens in a new window). YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@VicKeller (opens in a new window). Related organizations: KLV Capital: https://klvcapital.com/ (opens in a new window); Experience Ventures: https://experienceventures.com/ (opens in a new window); EPIC Boardroom: https://www.epicboardroom.com/ (opens in a new window).⁠[15][16][17][18]