He most recently served as senior managing director of Spell Capital Partners, a private equity firm in Minneapolis. Prior to joining Spell Capital, he was in the private practice of law with Fredrikson & Byron, P.A. in Minneapolis. West is an active supporter of the arts. He has served on several nonprofit boards including MacPhail Center for Music and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra where he continues to serve on the board after having served for seven years as its chair and almost two years as its interim president.