Tonn Petersen joined Ball Ventures Ahlquist as Vice President of Development in January 2019. In 2021, Tonn was promoted to Chief Development Officer/Legal Counsel. Tonn oversees all aspects of new development for BVA, including land acquisition, directing the entitlement process for all new projects, and serving as BVA’s designated government liaison responsible for interfacing and working directly with city and county officials through the annexation, zoning, and platting processes.
Before joining BVA, Tonn enjoyed a successful career as an attorney working for the Mordall Sperling law firm, New Mexico’s largest law firm, and then Perkins Coie, one of the nation’s largest law firms. During that time, Tonn specialized in complex commercial litigation. For 13 years he zealously represented Fortune 500 Companies in high stakes, multi-million dollar litigation, including Walmart, Walgreens, Hilton Hotels, and Daimler Chrysler Corporation.
Tonn received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Economics from Utah State University in 2001, and a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2005, graduating with honors. The combination of Tonn’s extensive legal and business background uniquely qualifies him to drive BVA’s commercial development projects efficiently across the finish line, thereby maximizing overall profitability for investors, partners, and tenants alike.
Tonn, described by his peers as being “fiercely competitive”, enjoys participating in an array of outdoor and athletic activities. He lives by a simple mantra – “win each day.” He is passionate about coaching youth sports and enjoys spending time with his five boys, always looking for opportunities to instill in them the traits and characteristics that have served as a foundation for his life; namely, a sense of duty, dedication to a cause greater than self, and an unyielding determination.
In his free time Tonn serves as an ecclesiastical leader for his church. But above all, Tonn enjoys spending time with his cherished wife and best friend, Jami.