We invest in people.

When I decided to start a niche antibody CDMO, Echo provided a homebase in the Zig to get things started, literally, from the back of an envelope. On a surface level, they provided the seed capital, fractional resources, and mentorship to get our initial business plan designed and initial dream team built. On a deeper level, they provided the energy, enthusiasm, and grandiosity for us to chase a much larger, transformational vision for the drug development process that will be unique to Oklahoma City.

– Jesse McCool, Co-Founder, Wheeler Bio

Careers

Jobs & internships

We are always looking for talented people who are passionate about innovating, building, and investing.
Let's talk
Christian Kanady

Founding Partner, CEO

Christian Kanady is the founder of Echo.

Under his leadership, Echo became one of the largest private owners of oil and gas royalties in the world by accumulating mineral rights across the Permian and Anadarko basins of Texas and Oklahoma between 2015-2020. 

Now investing across energy, life science, national security, and media & entertainment, Christian understands how to build cutting-edge companies and solve problems for innovators by leveraging untapped resources and aligning public, private, and community partnerships. This includes management of a diverse portfolio of investments in innovative companies creating disruption across industries and leading investment in such enterprises as Prairie Surf Media and Wheeler Bio. It also includes a growing real estate portfolio of landmark commercial properties across emerging U.S. urban markets.

A firm believer in giving back, Christian is an active philanthropist, forging long-term partnerships with nonprofits involved in community development, education, social services, youth athletics, and music & the arts. His entrepreneurial spirit guides his vision to drive community growth and innovation.

Christian’s family is his most meaningful achievement, and he is a devoted husband to Kate and proud father to daughters Lily, Constantina, Marie-Sistine, and Honorine. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.

Josh Hood

Partner, CFO

Josh Hood is a Partner and the Chief Financial Officer at Echo, leading all asset management and investment back-office functions, including the finance, accounting, treasury, and operations teams responsible for managing private equity, venture capital, impact, and real estate assets in aerospace & national defense, energy, life science, media & entertainment, and tech. He also oversees talent management and platform company incubation within Echo’s venture studio.

Over the last 10 years, Josh has played key roles in the deployment of more than $1.5 billion in capital and Echo’s growth from a small energy company to a wide-ranging investment firm. Prior to becoming CFO, he was an EVP and then Chief Accounting Officer overseeing all audit, financial reporting, and compliance functions.

Josh is a lifelong Oklahoman and earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

James Holdge

Partner

James Holdge is a Partner at Echo. As part of the investment committee, he oversees financial underwriting and leads the development of new ventures. In Echo’s earlier years, he served as Director of Finance and Corporate Development and was integral to developing capital deployment strategies for energy.

Before returning to Echo, James served as the inaugural CFO for Service Oklahoma, initiating and overseeing all finance functions – including management of an annual agency budget of $80 million and apportionment of nearly $1 billion in annual tax and fee revenue. He also worked as a Senior Financial Analyst at Oklahoma’s Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

James began his career with a 14-year span in the oilfields of Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas as a Well Site Geologist, Field Engineer, and Directional Driller. He holds a Master of Science in Finance and Economics from West Texas A&M University and Master of Science in Energy Management from Oklahoma City University.

Sandino Thompson

Partner, Managing Director

Sandino L. Thompson is Managing Director of Impact Investments. A community developer and thought leader with a passion for social innovation and inclusive development, he focuses on investments that empower, build, and improve overlooked communities.

Sandino’s background includes over 20 years successfully managing multimillion-dollar commercial and residential construction projects and extensive involvement in community and economic development initiatives focused on neighborhood stability and revitalization – including the redevelopment of NEOKC. He has also led model design and proposal requests resulting in millions of dollars in federal funding for Oklahoma City, while supporting dozens of other federal and state funding efforts.

He serves on numerous boards and commissions overseeing deployment of municipal and county capital investments, giving him broad perspective and access to networks that support the development of sustainable business ventures in underrepresented communities.

Sandino holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Engineering with a minor in Political Science from Oklahoma State University.

Sarah Corley

Principal

Sarah Corley is Principal of Marketing and Communications and closely engages in Echo’s external relations and outreach.

Prior to Echo, Sarah spent a dozen years in Washington, D.C., where she served in senior communications roles for congressional legislators and committees and in media relations for a world-class modern art museum. A seasoned communicator, Sarah’s career on Capitol Hill included seven years leading communications for Congressman Tom Cole, strategizing and overseeing messaging, media, and outreach across his personal office and committee leadership on Rules and Appropriations. She also served as Press Secretary for the House Budget Committee, managing messaging and national coverage of budget and appropriations policy for the majority.

Born and raised in Oklahoma City, Sarah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Oklahoma Baptist University with a double major in Finance and Marketing and emphasis in International Business. She also earned a certificate in Professional Image Consulting from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Carson Smith

Principal, Controller

Carson Smith is the Controller at Echo, leading the accounting and treasury functions. He oversees investor reporting, financial statement audits, and tax compliance while maintaining a strong internal control environment.

Prior to Echo, Carson worked as an auditor at Grant Thornton, LLP, where he led audit teams serving both public and private companies across the energy, software, manufacturing, and investments industries. Additionally, he focused time on special projects including IPOs, SOX, and new accounting standards implementations and acquisitions.

Carson is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Oklahoma and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma.