Rob Penta serves as the Vice Chairman and General Counsel of Venture First, a member of its Board of Directors, the Chief Legal Officer of Whiskey Capital Finance Co., and a managing General Partner of Whiskey Capital Finance Co. II. Prior to joining Venture First, Rob was a partner of Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP for 13 years where many of his clients included financial institutions, private equity groups, venture capital firms, restaurant groups, and companies involved in the defense industry. Rob has extensive experience in negotiating large complex financial transactions, commercial and industrial real estate acquisitions, stock and asset purchases, liquor licensing, international and domestic arms transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate contract negotiations. Rob has been recognized by his peers as a Kentucky Super Lawyers “Rising Star” for the years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. Rob currently serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Francis Schools and serves as the Chair of its Governance Committee. Rob also sits on the Board of Directors of several private companies in California, Colorado, Washington D.C., and Kentucky. Rob is also the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of an official trade organization based in Washington D.C. Rob attended Indiana University in Bloomington from 1999 – 2003 where he graduated with two Bachelor of Arts degrees. He then attended Wake Forest University School of Law from 2003 – 2006 where he graduated with his J.D.