Brian Bauer,
Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer and Co-Founder
Abaca, North Little Rock
A native Arkansan, Brian Bauer grew up near Hot Springs and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He served 11 years in the United States Navy where he flew some of the nation’s premier special-operations forces into combat. He was awarded the Air Medal seven times as a helicopter door gunner and crew chief while participating in offensive operations during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. After naval service, Brian returned to his home state to raise his two daughters and son, affording them access to the many amenities that Arkansas life has to offer.
He believes Central Arkansas is a great place to grow a tech company, and has spent the last several years working with others to help build Little Rock’s status as a startup city. Most recently, he served as managing director of Little Rock’s award-winning fintech accelerator programs at the Venture Center, where he gained valuable experience with banking technology, fintech innovation and venture capital. As Abaca’s chief strategy and revenue officer, he remains focused on the company’s mission to provide best-in-class financial services to the growing U.S. cannabis industry.
