Committee

Spencer Almy is a Partner at Citation and a member of the Investment Committee. Spencer has over twelve years of experience in financial services, primarily spent in control buyout investing along with structured equity, public equity, and debt investing.

Douglas Bartek is a recognized leader in the technology world with more than 45 years of industry experience. He has led more than 20 successful sales, acquisitions, mergers and financings of high-tech firms. Prior to co-founding Tango Networks, he founded and led Microtune as President, CEO and Chairman, a firm he took public on NASDAQ.

He was a division president of Cirrus Logic, was president and CEO of Acumos, and has held various leadership positions at other leading technology enterprises such as VLSI Technology, Motorola and Honeywell. He has been a regional winner and national finalist as an EY Entrepreneur of the Year, MTBC CEO of the Year, NRCC Businessman of the Year, and a “10 Most Admired CEOs to Watch”

Bartek has an electrical engineering degree from the University of Texas, with highest honors, and both a Masters in Engineering/Computer Science and an MBA from Arizona State University.

He spends his personal time helping with his church and with local charities, most recently as Chairman of 29Acres, an adult living community in north Texas for autistic adults.

Jordan began his investment career as an undergraduate when he co-founded a private investment firm focused real-estate investments. While in college, Jordan also worked for a multibillion-dollar hedge fund. In 2009 Jordan Cofounded LongWater Oppurtunites an alternative asset manager focused on Private Equity and Private Credit.

Luke joined Sterling in 2023 as a Managing Director on the Foundation Fund, Sterling's lower middle market fund that targets transactions from $100 million to $300 million in enterprise value. Previously, he was a Partner at Insight Equity where he led investments in the industrial, services, and consumer sectors. Luke received an A.B. in Philosophy from Harvard University and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School.

Gene is Head of the Industrials Group with Founders Advisors based in the firm’s Dallas office. Gene has over 20 years of experience acting as both a principal and advisor to companies executing mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and debt and equity financings. Gene began his career as a process controls engineer and transitioned into investment banking at UBS in New York, where he specialized in industrial technology areas such as automation, instrumentation, sensors and electronics. Gene developed significant transaction expertise while working for Houlihan Lokey in New York and other organizations such as Cooper Industries in Houston and AZZ Incorporated in Fort Worth.

Amanda Cooper Benbow, СВРА, is a visionary strategist with a proven track record of collaborating with premier private equity firms, investment firms, and family offices to orchestrate seamless mergers and acquisitions. With unwavering precision, Amanda delivers bespoke human resource infrastructures that empower organizations to navigate complex transactions with ease. Her mission is to elevate both the firm and its current/future investments by offering comprehensive solutions for procurement, administration, and ensuring absolute compliance across all facets of human resources. Amanda's expertise and commitment to excellence set the gold standard in driving success and sustainable growth in today's dynamic business landscape.

Amanda joined Insperity in fall 2017 as a business performance advisor and has a stellar track record of being an annual top performer, achieving Pinnacle Summit three times and Chairman’s Club twice.

While not at the office, Amanda is mother to two adorable little girls, a wife to an oil & gas entrepreneur and dedicated philanthropist. She enjoys traveling with her family, is an enthusiastic about her board position at Arrow Child & Family Ministries. Amanda always has the best interest of her peers and clients at heart!

Matt Briggs leads DYOPATH's PE and M&A practice, leveraging 27 years of IT and cybersecurity experience, including 22 years with DYOPATH. Launched in 1996 and based in Houston, TX, DYOPATH is a founder owned and operated industry leader, specializing in IT advisory, outsourcing, and cybersecurity. DYOPATH excels in supporting PE firms with pre-close due diligence and post-close transitions and growth, driving value creation through a broad suite of IT and cybersecurity solutions.

Eddie Bridgers is the Central Region Area Managing Partner for SeatonHill Partners, the fastest growing, national strategic CFO Firm providing Fractional, Interim, and Project level CFO services.  Eddie is well connected in the DFW marketplace and since joining the firm 4 years ago, SeatonHill has quadrupled business and now boasts 82+ elite CFOs nationwide, with 27 in Dallas, 14 in South Texas, and growing rapidly across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast regions. 

Eddie is known as an innovative change agent who is adept at building groundbreaking, successful enterprise sales infrastructures that enhance and drive all revenue-connected aspects of the business.  He is a proven, executive sales leader who generates bottom-line results with integrity and purpose.  With 30+ years of demonstrated success in building teams, developing programs, and opening new markets, Eddie has extensive experience in enterprise software, infrastructure/cloud solutions, and financial/operational leadership.

Eddie has also served in senior leadership and executive consultant roles for multiple start-ups and Fortune 200 companies, where he assembled and mentored large-scale national and international sales organizations.

David Brown is the CFO for Authentix, Inc, a private equity owned global authority in authentication solutions. He has 30+ years of diverse global business experience including living and working on three continents. David is an independent director for Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: PPIH), a global manufacturing company providing insulated piping systems. He is a Board Leadership Fellow with the National Association of Corporate Directors and a licensed CPA in Texas.

Nick Brown is a Principal at Catalyze Partners, a firm specializing in acquiring advanced technology businesses and intellectual property from Fortune 100 companies. In his role, Nick identifies strategic acquisition opportunities, performs comprehensive due diligence, and collaborates with senior executives to drive growth in portfolio companies. His responsibilities include detailed financial modeling, market analysis, and operational planning to position investments for success. He leads efforts to develop valuation frameworks, secure funding, and create long-term value through innovative strategies. Nick also oversees the integration of acquired businesses, focusing on optimizing operational efficiencies, implementing technology solutions, and creating scalable sales structures. In addition to his investment and operational expertise, Nick is actively involved in the strategic development of Catalyze Partners’ portfolio, including evaluating potential exits and joint ventures.

Kendall Childers is a Vice President of Business Development at Rosewood Private Investments where she is responsible for sourcing transactions and managing intermediary relationships. Previously, Kendall was Vice President of Business Development at a Houston-based private equity firm, worked in the Sponsor Coverage group at BBVA (now a part of PNC) executing and managing leveraged loans to private equity backed companies across industries, the compliance group at HBK Capital Management, and the Audit Assurance group at KPMG.

Carl Cravens is the Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer for Susser Bank where he is responsible for the bank’s lending, treasury management and marketing activities. He has 30 years of experience in commercial banking, finance and treasury management solutions. He raised private equity and senior debt while serving as Director of Finance for a healthcare firm with 18 facilities in the Southwest. Prior to joining Susser Bank, he was Regional President of Southwest Bank and a Senior Vice President with JPMorgan Chase’s healthcare public finance and not-for-profit group.

Jay Desai is a partner of Kainos Capital, a consumer-focused private equity fund, and has over 20 years of principal investing, investment banking and strategy experience in the food and consumer products sector. Jay re-joined the firm in 2016 after serving as the senior vice president of strategy at CROSSMARK. He is a graduate of Stanford University.

David Fowles is a Regional Director at The Riverside Company focusing on originating deal opportunities and qualifying add-on acquisition candidates in the Southcentral and Southeast regions. Before Riverside, Dave spent three years at Mangrove Equity Partners as a Vice President focused on deal origination.

Before that he had a twenty+ year career as a US Army Special Forces Officer (commonly known as Green Berets), where he served with distinction leading special operations forces across the globe, earned three Bronze Star's, including one with a “V” device for valor. He brings a wealth of leadership, organizational, and analytic experience to Origination and Riveside.

When he decided to transition to the private sector, Dave enrolled in the Executive program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, earning an MBA. He also holds a BA in Political Science from SUNY Oswego.

Chris is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal origination and developing intermediary relationships within the Healthcare sector. Prior to joining Gauge, Chris worked for National Spine & Pain Centers, where he was the Senior Vice President leading M&A for the organization. Earlier in his career, Chris worked in the Corporate Development functions at Dignity Health and CHRISTUS Health and with Moelis & Company as an Analyst in their Investment Banking Division. Chris received his MBA from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and his BS in Finance from University of Arizona.

Andrew Hicks serves as an early stage venture capital investor for Dallas-based Perot Jain. In addition to this role, Andrew founded and runs the Horned Frog Investment Network as an adjunct faculty member for his alma mater, TCU. Andrew is passionate about furthering the Dallas-Fort Worth startup and venture capital ecosystem.

Ryan is the Director of Business Development at Sky Island Capital. He is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal origination and developing intermediary relationships. Prior to joining Sky Island, Ryan was the Director of Business Development at Princeton Equity Group, sourcing investment opportunities across the business, consumer and industrial services sectors. Before joining Princeton Equity, Ryan was a Senior Associate at Gauge Capital, sourcing investment opportunities across the consumer, food and healthcare sectors. Ryan graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a BBA in Finance.

TK Kader is an entrepreneur, international best-selling author, and angel investor. He believes that you can achieve anything through belief, discipline and an unstoppable strategy.

TK worked at Bridgewater Associates (one of the best hedge funds in the world). He then founded ToutApp (backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Jackson Square, two of the best venture capital firms in the world). TK sold ToutApp to Marketo (then owned by Vista Equity Partners, one of the best private equity firms in the world) and was part of the executive team at Marketo that helped drive its transformation and eventual $4.75bn sale to Adobe. TK now leads the Unstoppable movement to help SaaS Founders build & scale incredible software companies.

Sean focuses on developing new business partnerships, marketing, communicating with business owners, and managing investment sourcing and exit planning. Prior to joining Gridiron , Sean served as vice president at BB&T Capital Markets, executing mergers and acquisitions advisory for middle-market businesses. Earlier in his career, Sean worked at Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.

Eliot Kerlin is Managing Partner of Broadwing Capital, a Dallas-based private equity firm he founded with Andrew Boisseau after 14 years of operational private equity investing together. Previously he worked in Dallas and New York with middle market private equity firms.

Megan Kneipp is the head of Business Development for Blue Point and actively supports the firm’s investment sourcing efforts. Previously, Megan was the Vice President of Business Development at CenterOak Partners. Prior to CenterOak, she was an Associate at Credit Suisse Securities and previously an Associate in Brokerage Services at Direct Development in Dallas. Megan holds a M.B.A. with honors from Southern Methodist University and a B.A. from the University of Texas, with a concentration in Economics.

Lee is managing partner of Smart Business Network Inc., a national events, media and marketing company founded in 1989, primarily responsible for expanding the company’s Aspire deal-making conference throughout the U.S. He plays a key role in establishing corporate policies and developing long-term strategy and growth plans. Previously, he founded and chaired the Growth Group at national law firm Arter & Hadden LLP (now Tucker, Ellis & West), which focused on working with middle-market and high-growth technology companies. 

Katie Marshall is Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer for PNC Business Credit, PNC’s senior secured lending group. Based in PNC’s Dallas office, she is responsible for identifying and executing on lending opportunities with existing and prospective clients in Dallas/Fort Worth, North Texas, the Texas Panhandle, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Katie’s focus is largely on partnering with Private Equity firms, family offices or other financial investors to provide financing solutions for M&A transactions in addition to privately-held, family/founder-owned businesses seeking refinancing, growth financing, restructuring, turnaround or special situation solutions.

Dan is the founding partner of Trinity Investors (formerlyTrinity Private Equity Group), which was started in 1999. Dan leads the investment committee and leadership team for Trinity and is also the lead partner on several Trinity investments.

Prior to founding Trinity, Dan served as an executive vice president for Tara Capital Partners, LP, a hedge fund focused on investing and trading in public securities. He also spent nine years participating in private equity investments at Sowell & Co. in Dallas, Texas. Dan began his career as a corporate banker at InterFirst Bank of Dallas (now Bank of America); and then worked for ABQ Capital Markets, managing a portfolio of high-yield bonds.

He is a CFA charterholder and was elected to the CFA Institute Board of Governors in 2006, serving two consecutive terms over seven years. While on the board, Dan was also elected to serve as the chairman of the CFA Institute. In addition, Dan chaired several board committees, including the nominations committee, compensation committee, external relations and volunteer involvement committee, and the Presidents Council at CFA Institute. Dan currently serves as a board member for several Trinity portfolio companies.

A graduate of Southern Methodist University, cum laude, Dan received his CFA charter in 1991 and is also a certified public accountant (CPA).

Divyabh is a serial entrepreneur creating multiple global startups from inception to successful $100m+ exit. Currently, he is building his next generative AI startup in the accounting industry. Divyabh is an engineer and has an MBA from INSEAD, France.

Michael Nolan is the Development Director – Private Equity and Quality of Sales at Sales Xceleration. He is responsible for building relationships with private equity sponsors and helping their portfolio companies grow their topline performance to build value creation and accelerate performance. Michael and his team leverage a collective of 110 sales leaders with portfolio company experience to help their companies grow 32% in year 1, resulting in $1.7B in revenue growth. Their focus is to drive significant growth through strategy formulation, process development, and effective execution in pre-acquisition due diligence, value acceleration during the hold period, and value maximization to support successful exits.

Larry Olschwanger is the Founder and Former President of ScrapSource, a Radius Recycling Company. Radius is the new brand and assumed name of Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Previously, he spent 20 years with Commercial Metals Company, serving as Senior Vice President- Recycling.

Dale Petroskey is President and CEO of the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC), which was named National Chamber of the year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in July 2022. Before joining the DRC in 2014, Mr. Petroskey's career included service as Assistant White House Press Secretary to President Ronald Reagan;Senior Vice President for Mission Programs at National Geographic;and President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.

Jon Rice is a marketing veteran who takes a hands-on approach to growing revenue while establishing a sustainable marketing process for his clients. In his ten years as a Chief Outsider and over 50 engagements, Jon has been a top performer, known for strategic thinking, a collaborative approach, and for leaving clients with improved marketing capabilities as part of their DNA. Jon has a significant background in multi-unit retail marketing and providing marketing leadership to such major national brands as Midas Muffler, Pizza Hut, Marriott, and Chuck E. Cheese’s.

Ms. Silaski joined Stephens in 1994 and is a Managing Director and senior member of the Private Company Advisory team. Throughout her investment banking career, she has advised private and family-owned companies, often multi-generational, as they consider financing alternatives and paths to maximize value.

Ms. Silaski has played a key role in structuring and negotiating private capital transactions for Stephens’ corporate clients across a broad range of industries and with a variety of capital sources, including family offices. Her experience includes minority and control transactions, preparing for and executing M&A transactions, as well as debt, equity, and equity-linked financings.

Prior to Stephens, Ms. Silaski managed equity and fixed income portfolios at a regional trust company. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and earned a BSBA with high honors in finance at the University of Arkansas.

Tom has spent the last 22 years at Bank of America/Merrill Lynch where he considers himself an “Intra-Preneur”. He is the founder of a 9 person boutique within the company called Singh & Associates.

He and his team specialize in pre-exit planning for business owners looking to sell their company in 12-36 months. By using their Proprietary financial Modeling Process, they run various simulations and prescribe strategies to help owners maximize their desired outcome.

He also oversees the Avalon location of Merrill Lynch managing 9 Billion of client assets and has been named the top 13 “Best in State Wealth Advisors” list by Forbes Magazine – 4 years in a row.

Harold has a background in Finance industry spanning from hospitals, mortgage companies, and private equity. He is a graduate of Auburn University. He runs a private equity firm in Fort Worth where they are focused on Retail and Manufacturing Industries.

Kyle is a Senior Vice President at Sole Source Capital, a lower middle market private equity firm focused on the industrial and service sectors. In his role, he leads investment origination, deal qualification, and building relationships with business owners. Kyle is passionate about helping business owners make the best choices for themselves, their family, and their employees when it comes to selling their company.

Brad is a Managing Director at Trive Capital, where his responsibilities include identifying and evaluating investment opportunities.

Prior to joining Trive, Brad was a Vice President at Prudential Capital Group, a private investment arm of Prudential Financial, Inc. While at Prudential, Brad was responsible for sourcing, executing, and managing investments in a wide range of industries, including aerospace and defense, transportation, distribution, consumer finance, real estate, restaurants and equipment rental.

Brad began his career as an Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he was a member of the Investment Management audit practice. Brad received his BS in Business Administration and Accounting from the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics at Washington and Lee University.

Eric is a corporate partner in the Dallas office of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP with experience in acquisitions, divestitures, securities transactions and other complex business transactions. Specifically, he has significant experience representing both corporate and private equity buyers and sellers in structuring, negotiating, documenting and closing public and private mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, including assisting private equity funds with the purchase, ongoing representation and subsequent sale of portfolio companies. Eric has a broad range of industry experience including consulting services, distribution, education services, energy, hospitality, manufacturing and distribution, retail, technology, transportation and waste management services. He also has experience representing clients in M&A transactions in the bankruptcy context.

Thomas Woolsey has deep experience advising clients with mergers and acquisitions, recapitalizations, financings, and debt and equity offerings in transactions ranging in value from $5M to $1B+. Thomas advises clients in transactions that involve a broad range of industries, including health care, software and technology, energy, manufacturing and construction, real estate, and food and beverage. His clients include private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, operating companies, and management teams.