About us
Our unmatched operational acumen, strategic direction, and emphasis on community fuel growth in companies that prioritize people.
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Chris Rupp
Chris Rupp is a Co-Founder and Managing Director for Capital XIX, LLC, which manages Fund I, a committed capital fund investing in NC-based or located high-growth hospitality concepts. He is also the owner of Red Shark Digital (Red Shark), one of the fastest-growing digital agencies in the country.
Chris has over 15 years of business and marketing experience, has proven his success in developing brands and accelerating growth for ambitious companies of all sizes. Starting his marketing career in yellow page sales, he eventually went on to create and build Red Shark – a full service digital marking agency. Chris is an entrepreneur at heart and is also a partner in several restaurants and other ventures. His extensive knowledge of and expertise in the hospitality industry is what led him to become the CEO of NRG Partners, where he directly leads a team of hospitality veterans in creating and operating multiple different restaurant brands.
In addition to his accomplishments in business, Chris has also been recognized for his leadership and dedication. In 2018, he was honored as a 40 under 40 Honoree from East Carolina University, and his company, Red Shark, has appeared three times on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.
Chris earned his B.S. degree in Economics at East Carolina University. Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and three young children, living the coastal lifestyle in Wilmington, NC.
Jason DeRosier
Jason DeRosier is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of Capital XIX, LLC, which delivers access to capital, networks, and expertise to hospitality businesses that are ready to scale. He is also the Chief Financial Officer of Red Shark Digital.
Jason is an experienced CFO and investor with a passion for numbers. He takes pride in providing the highest quality work possible and maintains an unwavering focus on the fundamentals of solid business – positive cash flow and returns on invested capital. Jason holds himself to a high standard, taking his duties as finance executive seriously. He is also recognized by his peers for his expertise in networking and his ability to secure the best business deals. He is an astute negotiator with an instinct for finding solutions to business challenges.
Jason is a native of Eastern North Carolina and currently resides in Wilmington, where he contributes his financial expertise to the success of Capital XIX and other ventures.