Our Approach
We know what it takes to run and grow businesses profitably because we are operators at heart. Our team consists of financial services professionals, operational leaders with experience in the industry, and in-house value creation teams – finance, strategy & market insights, technology, and talent. These teams work alongside portfolio management to seek to achieve shared aspirations for growth.
Industry First
At Falfurrias, it all starts with a thesis: the best way to help you grow your business is to know your business. We partner with the most respected experts in the field and immerse ourselves in your industry. Together, we aim to identify the markets with durable growth trends, construct an actionable thesis to create additional value, and, through rigorous testing and analysis, use data, expertise, and tireless investigation to learn how best to strengthen and build differentiated businesses.
Falfurrias has developed theses across a variety of industries:
Commodity Services
Risk management and insurance solutions for agricultural commodities
CIH
Commodity trading & risk management (CTRM) software & service providers
Gravitate
capSpire
Cybersecurity
Federal sector services
Synergy ECP
Incident response services
MOXFIVE
Digital Transformation and Automation
Vertically focused digital transformation services
Active Campaign
(pending investment)
Education and Workforce Development
Regulatory driven training & certification
American
Safety
Council
RegEd
Career-elevating training
Training
the Street
O2X
Corporate wellness
O2X
Education support services – early childhood, K-12, higher education
Active Campaign
(pending investment)
Fintech and Financial Services
Tech-enabled services for financial institutions
Tax Guard
Marquis
engage fi
Dorsey Wright
& Associates
Private Equity software & services
Crosslake
DealCloud
Fraud & credit risk
Chargeback
Gurus
Tax Guard
Regulatory compliance
RegEd
Banking & financial services
Capital Bank
Commercial
Credit Group
Workforce development
Training
the Street
Risk management & insurance solutions for agricultural commodities
CIH
WealthTech
Active Campaign
(pending investment)
Food
Packaged Foods
Local Hive
Sauer Brands
Carolina Foods
Snak King
Quick-service restaurants
Bojangles
Event management, catering & meal-kit subscription
Best
Impressions
Table & Twine
Risk management & insurance solutions for agricultural commodities
CIH
Food & consumer automation
E Tech Group
Food processing, packaging, and automation equipment
EDGE Industrial Technologies
Government Services
Data & digital services
Synergy ECP
Federal sector services
O2X
Synergy ECP
Municipal sector software and services
O2X
Neighborly Software
Industrial Technology
Automation
E Tech Group
Air quality & pollution control
GPS Air
Tech-enabled customized apparel manufacturing
FM Expressions
Safety & industrial equipment
SixAxis
Electric utility infrastructure
NATDG
UC Synergetic
Processing, packaging, and automation equipment
EDGE Industrial Technologies
Information Services
Fraud & credit risk
Tax Guard
Tech-enabled IT procurement services
NPI
Marketing and Media Services
Vertically integrated marketing platforms
GlynnDevins
Marquis
B2B media, content and events
Executive
Platforms
Industry Dive
Tech-enabled performance marketing
Brainlabs
Corporate stakeholder reputation
Penta Group
Multi-cultural marketing and media
My Code
Future of work - disruptive agency models
Said Differently
Healthcare Marketing and Communications
Jumo Health
Safety and Compliance
Regulatory compliance services
RegEd
E Tech Group
SixAxis
Safety & training
American Safety
Council
Employee health & safety
O2X
Vertical Market Software
Commodity trading & risk management (CTRM) software
Gravitate
Municipal sector software
Neighborly Software
Industry First Advisors
We find renowned leaders in their respective industry, bringing them in as partners to both develop our thesis and work alongside our portfolio companies to capture value and achieve growth ambitions.
Adam Cossman
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Bio
Adam is a serial entrepreneur, 23-year veteran of marketing and communications services (within and outside of healthcare) and a technology and data innovator with extensive M&A and private equity experience. Adam founded Sentient in 2008, a digital advertising agency with a specific focus in healthcare and a proprietary results-driven methodology. After 8 years of double-digit growth, he led a competitive process that resulted in the acquisition of Sentient by W2O Group in 2016. Adam was appointed as a member of W2O’s executive leadership team as Chief Digital Officer and Group President of the firm’s Advertising division. Adam was then one of the few executives and investors who sold W2O (now rebranded as Real Chemistry) to New Mountain Capital in 2019; Adam continued to support Real Chemistry as a core member of the deal team, helping it rise to become one of the top 3 largest healthcare marketing and services firms in the industry.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with Adam in 2023 to help develop their Healthcare Marketing and Media Industry First campaign.
Alexander Jutkowitz
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Bio
Alexander Jutkowitz is one of today’s leading evangelists for the shift in marketing and communications toward integrated content and strategy. His work for clients in a wide array of fields proves that brands who tell their own stories innovate faster and inspire enduring customer loyalty. Mr. Jutkowitz has more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications and enterprise sales —as a political pollster, digital architect, brand strategist, and content creator in over 30 countries. He is an adjunct professor at USC Annenberg and member of the Curriculum Committee. Mr. Jutkowitz’s book, The Strategic Storyteller, was published by Wiley in 2017. Alexander was raised in Chile and Philadelphia and is fluent in Spanish. Mr. Jutkowitz partnered with Falfurrias Capital to identify vertically focused marketing, media and information services firms positioned with digital engagement, high quality content, peer to peer platforms, and tech enabled services.
Falfurrias Highlights
- After a successful investment in GlynnDevins, a leading provider of senior living marketing services, Falfurrias continued to evaluate opportunities to invest in vertically focused marketing service providers.
- Falfurrias Capital identified Alexander Jutkowitz, a leading evangelist for the shift in Business to Business (B2B) marketing and communications toward integrated professional content, digital engagement and strategy. Mr. Jutkowitz partnered with FCP as an Industry First executive to identify companies taking advantage of this shift.
- In September 2019, Falfurrias announced an investment in Industry Dive based on a thesis in the B2B media space and Jutkowitz joined the company as Executive Chairman. Falfurrias exited Industry Dive in September, 2022
- In December 2020, Falfurrias announced an investment in Ballast Research (later rebranded as Penta Group after several add-on acquisitions) based on a thesis in the corporate stakeholder reputation space and Jutkowitz joined the company as Executive Chairman.
- August 30, 2021 marked Falfurrias Capital Partners’ investment in H Code, the largest multicultural digital media company in the U.S., and Alex Jutkowitz joined H Code as Executive Chairman. During Q1, 2022, My Code Media officially launched following the rebrand and expansion of H Code to reach a wider range of multifaceted and diverse audiences.
Bill Lovette
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Bill Lovette
Bio
Bill Lovette has more than 35 years of experience in the packaged food industry. Prior to his current role as Chairman of the Board of Sauer Brands, Mr. Lovette was the CEO of Pilgrim’s Pride (NASDAQ: PPC) where he led a corporate transformation that lifted the company out of bankruptcy. Mr. Lovette has advised FCP throughout our packaged food campaign and was appointed Executive Chairman of Sauer Brands, Inc. following FCP’s investment in the business in August, 2019.
Falfurrias Highlights
- Falfurrias Capital partnered with Bill Lovette to research packaged food brands that are well-positioned to capitalize on the shifts in consumer preferences identified through our campaign.
- Falfurrias Capital and Mr. Lovette identified Sauer Brands as a platform investment opportunity in the packaged food space due to its diverse portfolio of authentic brands that have significant growth potential.
- In August, 2019, Falfurrias announced an investment in Sauer Brands, Inc. and Bill Lovette joined the company as the Executive Chairman of the business.
Chris Lundquist
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Chris Lundquist
Bio
Chris Lundquist is a senior business and technology executive focused on driving growth and value creation in data enabled technology companies in financial services, payments and retail. Chris serves as the Executive Chairman of Chargeback Gurus, a Dallas Texas based leading provider of risk mitigation and chargeback prevention and recovery solutions for a company’s e-commerce payments. Chris is also President of Enformion, a leading provider of fraud, identity, sales enablement & marketing intelligence solutions to the online digital space. Previously, Chris held the role as Division President of Fraud and Credit Risk at Verisk with oversight of 3 business units: LCI, G2 Global Web Services, and Verisk Retail. Prior to Verisk, Chris founded LCI in 1989 and created the first comprehensive national bankruptcy database, innovating credit risk solutions to manage over 1.3 billion accounts. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA with a focus on AI and machine learning, data science and management information systems, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with Chris in 2020 to build out their Fraud and Credit Risk Industry First campaign.
- In August of 2021, Falfurrias announced an investment in Chargeback Gurus. Chris stepped into his role as Executive Chairman of Chargeback Gurus.
David Evans
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Bio
David Evans has more than 30 years of experience in the broader Technology, Vertically Integrated Software and Payments sectors as an Engineer, Operator, Banker, Investor, Executive and, today, as an Advisor. Prior to his current role, David served as CEO and Board member at Passport Labs, a mobility management software provider to the Digital Parking, Enforcement and Payments sectors, serving more than 800 cities, operators, and municipalities. Prior to this role, he was CFO for Cardlytics (NASDAQ: CDLX) where he helped guide the business from its early beginnings to a leading software Platform serving private labeled rewards solutions for some of the largest banks in the country, leveraging purchase intelligence and spend behavior to deliver highly targeted marketing solutions to consumers with deterministic attribution. During this time, he also led and grew the Company through to its successful IPO.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with David Evans to research and identify an investment Platform that is well-positioned to capitalize on the shifts in digital and software utilization within the sub-sectors of Government Technology, specifically those serving municipalities, counties, and states.
- In October 2024, Falfurrias announced an investment in Neighborly Software, and David joined the company as the Chairman of the Board.
Joel Hackney
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Bio
Joel Hackney has over 25 years of experience leading a variety of companies, demonstrating expertise in driving transformational growth. Prior to partnering with Falfurrias, he was the CEO for nThrive, a consultancy and service provider across the healthcare revenue cycle based in Georgia with over 6,000 employees. Prior to that, he was CEO of AVINTIV and served in various leadership positions at Avaya and Nortel.
Falfurrias Highlights
- In June of 2021, Falfurrias Capital Partners announced its investment in Training the Street, and Joel joined the company as the Chairman of the Board.
Josh Slagle
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Bio
Josh Slagle is an executive leader with nearly 20 years of experience in financial and general management positions. He spent most of his career at SPX Flow, a leading manufacturer of industrial equipment. Prior to partnering with Falfurrias, Josh served as President of SPX Flow’s Nutrition & Health business, a global provider of sanitary processing solutions to the food & beverage and general industrial markets. Under Josh’s leadership, SPX Flow’s Nutrition & Health’s OE and Spare Parts businesses grew at ~3x market rates and expanded EBITDA by ~400 bps. In 2022, Josh led SPX Flow’s Nutrition & Health business unit seamlessly through SPX Flow’s transition from public to private ownership.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with Josh in March of 2024 to leverage his expertise in the industrial manufacturing sector and evaluate growth-oriented opportunities in the Industrial Technology space.
Kevin Hesselbirg
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Bio
Kevin Hesselbirg is a three-time CEO and experienced leader of growth-oriented technology and tech-enabled service organizations within the financial services sector. Kevin’s operating experience includes FinTech, Enterprise Software, Financial Services, Start Ups, and growth companies demonstrated through the Chief Executive Officer roles at:
- OpenLink Financial (former Carlyle and TA portfolio company) a leading software developer of financial and energy trading and risk management solutions. During his 12-year tenure, he helped establish the company as the clear market leader in its industry, servicing a world-class customer base with approximately 30,000 users spread across 500 global firms. He grew the company from less than $10 million in revenue and 100 professionals to over $325 million in revenue and a global team of over 1,250 professionals.
- Primatics Financial (former Carlyle portfolio company) a leading provider of complex loan accounting software solutions utilized by mid-tier banks, where he helped lead the company through a transformation from a tech enabled services company to a SaaS provider of complex accounting solutions for the banking sector.
- Gemini Fund Services (former TA portfolio company) a leading fund Administrator. Kevin returned the company to profitability and growth trajectory and successfully led carve out form the Orion group and transitioned the business to Ultimus Fund Solutions.
Kevin also serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence for Hofstra University, sponsoring the Hofstra Veterans Venture Challenge a business development and mentoring program for military veterans, as a Board Member for Ultimus Fund Solutions and Labsoft, and as an Executive Advisor for Good United and WorkRails.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered Kevin Hesselbirg to develop several investment thesis campaigns, including a FinTech and Financial Services campaign and a Commodity Trading & Risk Management Software & Services campaign.
- In January 2024, Falfurrias Growth Partners announced an investment in NPI Financial, and Kevin joined the company as the Executive Chairman of the business.
- In July of 2024, Falfurrias Growth Partners announced investments in capSpire and Gravitate, and Kevin joined as Board Chair for both organizations.
- Kevin currently serves as an Executive Advisor for Crosslake Technology, a Falfurrias Capital Partners portfolio company.
Mark Chernis
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Bio
Mark Chernis’s 35+ year career spans a variety of endeavors leading major organizations across the education spectrum, including delivering 3 IPOs and various successful exits, corporate venture investments, and driving both organic and M&A fueled growth. He has distinctively relevant expertise to support FMP’s Education and Workforce Development campaign, including former roles as the President & COO at The Princeton Review, President, Board Member & COO at Schoolnet, Inc., COO at Pearson K-12 Tech (PowerSchool) & Senior Vice President of Investments, and Co-Founding Investor, Former Board Member, and Former COO at 2U. Mark has also served as Director at numerous educational companies, including Noodle, Keypath Education, Tutor.com, Avanti, Knewton, Voxy, Bridge International Academics, and Spark Schools.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with Mark Chernis in 2023 to help develop the Education and Workforce Development Industry First campaign.
Marybeth Wootton
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Bio
Marybeth Wootton is an operational and technical leader with more than 30 years of experience working with the Intelligence, Defense, and Federal Civilian communities. She has a proven track record in global business operations, technology strategy, mergers & acquisitions, delivering accelerated growth and business transformation in the Government Contracting and Aerospace & Defense sectors. Marybeth brings broad experience as a board member and advisor to rapidly growing, highly technical companies in the Federal sector. Currently, she serves as Chairperson for Synergy ECP and a member of the Board of Directors at O2X. In addition, she has been an Advisory Board member for several privately held Federal Technology companies and Secretary of the Board for a public company on the New York Stock Exchange. Before her time with Falfurrias, Marybeth supported the strategic restructuring of Berico Technologies, leading to the divestiture of five other successful technology start-ups (three of which were subsequently acquired) and lead the sell of Berico to Novetta, a Carlyle Group company, where she subsequently served as Vice President. She has also been recognized as the Greater Washington GovCon Executive of the Year for companies with up to $75 Million in revenue.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with Marybeth in October 2022 at the launch of their Industry First campaign focused on digital and data transformation in the Federal sector. Marybeth was a Board member, owner, and CEO of Berico Technologies where she built a high-performing team delivering software development and cloud engineering solutions to the intelligence community.
- In November of 2023, Falfurrias Capital Partners announced its investment in Synergy ECP, and Marybeth joined the company as the Board Chair of the business.
- Marybeth also joined the Board of Directors for O2X, a Falfurrias Growth Partners investment.
Tim Tynan
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Bio
Tim Tynan is a senior executive with experience in delivering financial and operational outcomes across the payments, banking, financial services, and technology sectors. Currently, he serves as CEO and Board Member for Chargeback Gurus, a Dallas Texas based leading provider of risk mitigation and chargeback prevention and recovery solutions for a company’s e-commerce payments. Previously, Tim held the role as CEO of Banc of America Merchant Services LLC, a prominent player in the payments and Fintech industry. During his tenure from 2014-2021, he navigated the organization through significant growth, leveraging its strategic position as a joint venture of the Fiserv Corporation and Bank of America. Under his leadership, the company grew to a position where it processed $1 trillion in transactions (2019 pre-pandemic), solidifying its market position as a key player in the industry. Before that position, Tim served in a variety of senior roles at Citigroup, and before that he was an executive at IBM.
Falfurrias Highlights
- FMP partnered with Tim in 2021 to assist with their Fintech and Financial Services Industry First campaign.
- In August of 2021, Falfurrias announced an investment in Chargeback Gurus. Tim served on the Board of Directors, and stepped into his role as CEO of Chargeback Gurus in 2023.
- In December of 2021, Falfurrias announced an investment in engage fi, and Tim joined the company on the Board of Directors.
Operational Expertise
Many of our professionals were business operators and advisors prior to joining FMP. Prior experiences include:
Marc Oken
CFO, Bank of America
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Biography
Mr. Oken is the Chairman of Falfurrias Management Partners, a firm he co- founded in 2006 alongside Hugh McColl, Jr. and Ed McMahan, Jr. Prior to starting the firm, Mr. Oken was the Chief Financial Officer of Bank of America during the 10-year period when Hugh McColl Jr. made groundbreaking bank acquisitions throughout the country, including California-based Bank of America. Prior to his career with Bank of America, Mr. Oken was a Partner with Price Waterhouse. He also served a 2-year term as a Fellow at the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr. Oken is past Chairman of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership and served two terms each as Chairman of The Mint Museum of Art, and The Charlotte Symphony. He recently stepped down as the Chairman of the Sullenberger Aviation Museum. While Chairman of the Aviation Museum, he led a capital campaign which raised $34 million to construct a new museum facility and to renovate an adjoining historic hanger at the Charlotte-Douglas Municipal Airport. Until 2023, he served for over 15 years on the Boards of Directors of two NYSE Exchange companies, Marsh McLennan, the largest Insurance broker in the world, and Sonoco Products, a SC paper products company.
Mr. Oken is a Naval Aviator and Vietnam Veteran. He is a native of Baltimore and a graduate of Loyola University. He and his wife Celene are the proud parents of five daughters, who are all professionals working in various industries across the country.
Career Highlights
- Co-Founder of Falfurrias Management Partners in 2006
- Former CFO of Bank of America
- Significant M&A experience as a Bank of America Executive, including responsibility for the integration of MBNA and Fleet Bank
- Former Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Former Chairman of the Carolinas Aviation Museum, The Mint Museum of Art, The Charlotte Symphony, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership
- Previously served on the Board of Directors of Marsh McLennan and Sonoco Products Company, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of numerous Falfurrias Management Partners portfolio companies
Current Board Memberships
- CIH
- Training the Street
- FM Expressions
- Global Plasma Solutions
- Sauer Brands
Education
- MBA, University of West Florida
- BSBA, Loyola College
Joe Price
CFO, Bank of America
Head of Consumer and Small Business Banking, Bank of America
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Biography
Mr. Price joined Falfurrias Management Partners full time with Fund IV. Prior to joining the Firm, he assisted with the FMP portfolio, leading the technology-enabled services for financial institutions Industry First campaign.
Prior to joining FMP, Mr. Price served in senior executive roles at Bank of America including President of Consumer and Small Business Banking, Chief Financial Officer, and Global Corporate and Investment Banking Risk Management Executive. Prior to Bank of America, Mr. Price was with PricewaterhouseCoopers. Mr. Price is the former Chair of the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity’s worldwide operations and former Chair of The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is also an Emeritus member of the Board of Advisors for the Belk College of Business at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Career Highlights
- Former CFO of Bank of America
- Former Head of Consumer and Small Business Banking, responsible for all consumer businesses, including deposits and credit/debit card businesses
- Served as Chair of Habitat for Humanity Worldwide
- Served as Chair of UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees
- Previously served on the Board of Directors of Industry Dive, Marquis, RegEd, and Tax Guard
Current Board Memberships
- Said Differently
- Crosslake Technologies (Chairman)
- Penta
- Training The Street
- Chargeback Gurus
- My Code
- engage fi
- CIH
- Executive Platforms
- Brainlabs
- Synergy ECP
- Jumo Health
- MOXFIVE
Education
- BA in Accounting, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Ken Walker
COO, EnPro
Operational leadership roles,
G5 Technologies and W.L. Gore & Associates
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Biography
Mr. Walker joined Falfurrias Management Partners full time with Fund IV. Prior to joining the Firm, he assisted with the FMP portfolio, leading the Industrial Automation and Safety Industry First campaign. He is Executive Chairman at Falfurrias portfolio companies GPS Air, FM Expressions (Green Distribution), EDGE Industrial Technologies, and Local Hive. Mr. Walker is also a Board Member at Carolina Foods, LLC, Sauer Brands, Inc., and Snak King. Prior to joining Falfurrias, Mr. Walker served as the Chief Operating Officer for EnPro Industries (NYSE: NPO). Mr. Walker started his career at W.L. Gore & Associates where he last held the position of Business Leader. He is also a Board Member of the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte, the VT Engineering Education Board, and the Charlotte Symphony.
Career Highlights
- Began working with Falfurrias as an Industry First Executive on the Industrial Automation and Safety campaign. Joined Falfurrias Management Partners with Fund IV
- Over twenty-five years of senior operating management experience in various executive roles at EnPro, G5 Technologies, and W.L. Gore & Associates
- Former Chief Operating Officer at EnPro Industries, Inc.
- Chairman & Board Member of the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte
- Member of the Virginia Tech Department of Engineering Education
Current Board Memberships
- EDGE Industrial Technologies (Executive Chairman)
- GPS Air (Executive Chairman)
- FM Expressions (Executive Chairman)
- Sauer Brands, Inc.
- Carolina Foods, LLC
- Local Hive (Executive Chairman)
- McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte
- Virginia Tech Department of Engineering Education
- Charlotte Symphony
- Snak King
Education
- BPSE Advanced Management Program, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Executive Management Program, McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte
- MBA, University of Delaware
- BS in Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech
Amy Brandt
CEO, First American Docutech
COO, Prospect Mortgage
CEO, Vantium Capital
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Biography
Ms. Brandt joined Falfurrias Management Partners as a Partner in 2023 to help lead Falfurrias Growth Partners. Prior to joining the Firm, she was Operating Executive Director at Serent Capital. Serent Capital is a leading lower-middle market private equity firm focused on investing in high growth service and technology businesses.
Most recently Ms. Brandt was the President and Chief Executive Officer of First American Docutech, providing an end-to-end integrated digital mortgage experience that enables lenders to accelerate the real estate closing process. She currently sits on the First American Advisory Council. In addition to her executive career, Ms. Brandt currently serves on the boards of Studio Designer, Quisitive Technologies, InhabitIQ, and the Institute of International Education.
Ms. Brandt has over 20 years of successful experience as an accomplished entrepreneur and senior executive with multiple successful private equity backed exits. She is a multi-award winner, including Housing Wire’s Vanguard Award and Institute of International Education’s Centennial Medal.
Prior to First American Docutech, Ms. Brandt was the President of Originations and Corporate Technology at New Penn Financial, and prior to Penn Financial, the Chief Operating Officer of Prospect Mortgage, Chief Executive Officer of Vantium Capital and head of GE Money Mortgage North America.
Ms. Brandt earned a JD from Arizona State College of Law and a BA in Political Science from the University of Southern California.
Career Highlights
- Joined Falfurrias Management Partners as a Partner in 2023
- Operating Executive Director at Serent Capital
- President and CEO of First American Docutech
- Currently a member on the First American Advisory Council
Current Board Memberships
- Neighborly Software
- Gravitate
- capSpire
- NPI
- O2X
- Studio Designer
- Quisitive Technologies
- InhabitIQ
- Institute of International Education
Education
- JD, Arizona State College of Law
- BA in Political Science, University of Southern California
Chip Johnson
CFO, North American T&D Group
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Biography
Mr. Johnson is a Partner and leads the Firm’s investments in Food & Beverage and Industrial Technology. He re-joined Falfurrias Management Partners in 2016 and was promoted to Partner in January 2021. Previously, Mr. Johnson was Chief Financial Officer of North American T&D Group, a Falfurrias Management Partners-backed holding company for investments in the Power Transmission and Distribution Industry. Prior to North American T&D Group, Mr. Johnson served as a Senior Associate with Falfurrias Management Partners where he focused on acquisition targeting, due diligence, structuring and execution. Prior to Falfurrias Management Partners, Mr. Johnson served as a Financial Analyst for McColl Partners, a Charlotte, North Carolina based middle-market investment bank. Mr. Johnson also served as the Founding Curator of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shaper Initiative in Charlotte and currently serves on the Board of Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas.
Career Highlights
- Re-joined Falfurrias Management Partners in 2016 and was promoted to Partner in 2021
- Chief Financial Officer of North American T&D Group
- Senior Associate with Falfurrias Management Partners
- Financial Analyst with McColl Partners
- Founding Curator of World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Initiative in Charlotte
Current Board Memberships
- EDGE Industrial Technologies
- Sauer Brands, Inc.
- FM Expressions
- Carolina Foods, LLC
- Local Hive
- Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas
- Snak King
Education
- BS in Commerce and BA in Government, University of Virginia
JJ Schonberg
Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
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Biography
Mr. Schonberg joined Falfurrias Management Partners in October of 2006 and was promoted to Partner in January 2021. Prior to joining the Firm, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Mangan & McColl Partners, LLC, a Charlotte-based, event-driven hedge fund. At Mangan & McColl Partners, Mr. Schonberg was responsible for the accounting and financial reporting of various domestic and offshore investment funds. Mr. Schonberg previously worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1993-1998 as a Manager in the Personal Financial Services (PFS) group, specializing in individual income tax and financial planning for high-net-worth individuals.
Career Highlights
- Promoted to Partner in January 2021
- Joined Falfurrias Management Partners in October of 2006
- Nine years of prior alternative investment company experience
- Formerly served as Chief Financial Officer of Mangan & McColl Partners
- Responsible for the accounting and financial reporting of various domestic and offshore investment funds with assets totaling more than $1.1 billion
- Formerly worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers as a Manager in the Personal Financial Services (PFS) Group
Education
- Master’s in Accountancy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- BA in Economics and Political Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Matthew Kilian
Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers
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Biography
Mr. Kilian joined Falfurrias Management Partners in June 2014 and currently serves as a Managing Director. His primary responsibilities focus on risk assessment through the deal execution process, transaction integration, and ongoing monitoring of portfolio company performance, but he also maintains responsibilities with the management company and fund oversight. He was the Chief Compliance Officer from the date of Falfurrias’ initial SEC registration in 2015, building out the compliance program, through May 2024. Prior to joining the firm, he worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers in their Financial Services Assurance Practice. Prior to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Kilian worked in assurance services and transaction advisory at Reznick Group.
Career Highlights
- Promoted to Managing Director in September 2021
- Chief Compliance Officer 2015 through 2024
- Joined Falfurrias Management Partners in June 2014
- PricewaterhouseCoopers Financial Services
- Reznick Group Assurance Services
Education
- MS in Accountancy, Wake Forest University
- BS in Business Administration, University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Nick Bueno
Senior Engagement Manager, McKinsey
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Biography
Mr. Bueno joined Falfurrias Management Partners as a Director in 2019. He was promoted to Managing Director/Head of Strategy and Market Insights in September 2021. He oversees a team that works to develop and substantiate Falfurrias’ proprietary investment theses, support market and commercial diligence on its investments, and work alongside the management teams of newly joined portfolio companies to develop growth strategies and other value creation opportunities.
Previously, Mr. Bueno was at McKinsey & Company where he focused on growth and go-to-market strategy, operational excellence, and was a member of the Marketing & Sales and Digital practices. While at McKinsey, he advised clients across a range of industries including Tech, Media & Telecom, Industrials, Manufacturing, Food & Beverage, Financial Services, and Professional Services.
Career Highlights
- Promoted to Managing Director/Head of Strategy & Market Insights in September 2021
- Joined Falfurrias Management Partners in 2019
- Management Consultant at McKinsey & Company 2014 – 2019
- Summer Associate, M&A, Private Equity, & Capital Markets at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
- Summer Associate, M&A, Private Equity, at Latham & Watkins
Current Board Memberships
- Aqua Quality Solutions (Rusco and Vu-Flow)
Education
- JD, Georgetown Law, Cum Laude
- BA in Political Science, University of Florida
Lindsay Gates
Head of Talent, Juxtapose
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Biography
Mrs. Gates joined Falfurrias Management Partners as Head of Talent in 2023. She is responsible for leading all talent initiatives and supports the Firm’s portfolio companies and Industry First campaigns. Prior to joining Falfurrias, Mrs. Gates spent four years as Head of Talent at Juxtapose, an investment firm focused on company creation. In this role, she built out portfolio company senior executive teams and served as talent counsel for CEOs across Juxtapose’s ventures while also leading recruiting and talent initiatives for the fund.
Before joining Juxtapose, Mrs. Gates was a Principal at Rich Talent Group, a boutique executive search firm in San Francisco, where she led searches for growth-stage digital consumer businesses. Mrs. Gates studied at Bowdoin College and earned her MBA at UVA’s Darden School of Business.
Career Highlights
- Joined Falfurrias Management Partners as Head of Talent in 2023
- Head of Talent at Juxtapose
- Principal at Rich Talent Group
Current Board Memberships
- McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte
- Discovery Place
Education
- MBA, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
- BA Bowdoin College
Joe Oesterling
CTO, Liquid Web
COO, Clearleap
COO / CIO at Cbeyond
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Biography
Mr. Oesterling joined Falfurrias Management Partners in July of 2023. He focuses on all aspects of technology through deal execution, integration, and ongoing portfolio company growth. He also leads the firm’s internal technology initiatives. He has over thirty years of technology and operational leadership experience including twenty years in CTO or COO roles at Private Equity backed technology companies – Liquid Web, Clearleap, and Cbeyond. He has deep expertise in building and managing large scale and mission critical ecommerce, software, and infrastructure solutions across a variety of industries with B2B and B2C companies.
Prior, he held technology leadership roles at Capital One, Security Capital Group, Booz Allen and Hamilton, and IBM.
Career Highlights
- Joined Falfurrias Management Partners in July, 2023
- Former CTO at Liquid Web, 2015 – 2023
- Former COO at Clearleap, 2014 – 2015, sold to IBM in 2015
- Former CIO and COO at Cbeyond, 2000 – 2013, went public on Nasdaq in 2007
- Recognized as Georgia CIO of the Year and Atlanta Telecom Professional Industry Leader Award winner
- Served as a Member of the Board of Directors of Credability, TechBridge, and Community Foundation of Atlanta
- Served as Chairman (2010) and Board Member (2007 – 2011) of Georgia CIO Leadership Association
Education
- BS in Computer Science at Purdue University
- MBA with Marketing concentration from University of Texas at Austin
Value Creation Process
Falfurrias has dedicated in-house teams to serve our portfolio companies on their journey to value creation and growth.
Strategy
Falfurrias’ strategy development process defines each portfolio company’s differentiating factors within their markets and develops a strategy to leverage those strengths through organic (e.g., go-to-market, product innovation, etc.) and acquisition-related growth initiatives. Industry First research creates the basis for pre-closing strategy development alongside management.
People
We are managers and builders, not just financial engineers. We invest in companies because we believe in their team and their potential for growth. We provide the advice and support needed to make that growth a reality. The Falfurrias team takes an active approach and works closely with CEOs of portfolio companies to build their management teams.
Technology
Falfurrias values technology as an enabler to automate historically manual processes, and as a driver to streamline efficiency in its portfolio companies. Upon acquisition, Falfurrias equally prioritizes technology initiatives to grow the business, provide real-time visibility and controls, while balancing risk areas, such as cybersecurity.
Integration
The Falfurrias team works closely with management teams to onboard new platform investments and to identify, acquire and integrate add-on acquisitions. Historically, the add-on acquisitions have been accretive.