By Mark Calvey - August 24, 2006 - San Francisco Business Times

Maverick Angels, a Southern California-based angel investor group, is starting a Northern California chapter.

San Mateo native John Dilts is founder of Maverick Angels and will be president of the Northern California chapter.

"We are looking forward to expanding our reach into the Bay Area," said Dilts, who worked for several Silicon Valley law firms early in his career. "We have strong relationships with numerous law firms and venture groups in the area which provide us with high-quality, startup company deal flow.

"A large number of Southern California entrepreneurs want to present to investors in Silicon Valley, and they will now have a trusted venue for raising angel capital there," he said.

Dilts was previously a managing director at Keiretsu Forum, overseeing the Lafayette-based angel group's Westlake chapter in Southern California.

Maverick's first Northern California meeting will be at the headquarters of Fiduciary Trust Company International, a division of Franklin Resources Inc.'s (AMEX: FTF) Franklin Templeton in San Mateo from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29.

Members of Maverick Angels are all accredited private equity investors, reflecting a net worth of at least $1 million or annual income of $200,000 for an individual or $300,000 for a couple.

Angel groups have proliferated in recent years as wealthy individuals found it advantageous to band together to attract deal flow and assess investment opportunities.