Team
Built for execution.
Proving Ground Capital (PGC) is designed to mature with fund milestones — building institutional readiness while staying close to founders and outcomes.
Jeron Peoples
President & Chief Executive Officer
Sets investment strategy and leads the platform he architected. Previously led corporate development for Rolls-Royce Defense across hypersonics, novel nuclear, and electric propulsion, carrying commercial responsibility for over $1B in LibertyWorks revenue and pipeline, and sat on an investment committee overseeing $100M+ in annual allocations. At ARI, built the strategic link between capital markets and national security innovators. B.S., North Carolina A&T State University. IBJ 40 Under 40 (2025).
Stu Dillon
Head of Portfolio & Counsel
Leads legal structuring, governance, and partnership architecture, managing deal flow and portfolio process end to end. Previously advised Indiana’s Secretary of Commerce through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s two record years, $8.7B and $22.2B in committed capital, and across Governor-led delegations to heads of state and Fortune 500 CEOs. B.A., Georgetown University; J.D., IU McKinney School of Law.
John Holtkamp
VP, Government & External Affairs
Leads government relations and external affairs, connecting portfolio companies to federal programs and the policymakers who shape them. Spent 10+ years in senior political and government roles in Indiana and Washington, D.C., including service on Sen. Todd Young’s team through the authoring and 2022 enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act. MBA, IU Kelley School of Business.
Execution Bench
The team behind the pipeline.
Carter Wittendorf
Associate, Investment Research & Diligence
Runs primary research and technical diligence on prospective investments, from initial screen through investment committee memo.
