Our Team
Over the years, we have assembled one of the most talented investing teams in the industry with
combined operating and investing experience in excess of 150 years.
At LVC
As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of LongueVue Capital, Rick Rees participates in all investment decisions and day-to-day company management. Since the firm’s founding in 2001, Rick has served as a General Partner of LVC and Co-Chair of the firm’s Investment and Executive Committees. Rick sits on the Board of Directors of LVC portfolio companies Jackson Offshore Holdings and Soho Studio Partners and serves as Chairman of the Board of LVC portfolio companies ECA Medical Instruments, Zavation, PRT, and Pod Pack International.
Prior to LVC
Rick is the former Executive Vice President and CFO of Halter Marine Group (AMX:HMG), a $1 billion revenue company specializing in the design, construction, conversion, and repair of marine vessels, mobile offshore rigs, and engineered products for commercial and government markets. Following HMG’s merger with Friede Goldman, Inc. (NYSE:FGH), Rick joined FGH as CFO, a role he held until starting LVC. Prior to HMG, Rick was a managing partner at City Capital Corporation, a private equity firm with significant holdings in maritime related businesses. Before joining City Capital, Rick was CFO and a member of the Board Of Directors of Halter Marine, Inc, the antecedent of HMG, which was sold to Trinity industries (NYSE:TRN). Rick graduated cum laude from Tulane University with both BA and MBA degrees and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).
Outside of LVC
Rick has been recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year and Outstanding Alumnus by his alma mater, Tulane University, where he currently serves on the Board of Administrators and Executive Committee of the Board. Rick is also co-founder of the New Orleans Start-Up Fund, an organization committed to developing New Orleans’s capital ecosystem to support young entrepreneurs. Rick’s passion for golf is matched only by his passion for maintaining a high handicap. When not in New Orleans, Rick enjoys spending time with his wife, three children, and extended family in Park City, Utah.
LVC Portfolio Coverage
Current Investments
Realized Investments
At LVC
John McNamara is Co-Founder and Managing Partner of LongueVue Capital, participating in all investment decisions and day-to-day company management. Since the firm’s founding in 2001, John has served as a General Partner of LVC and a member of the firm’s Investment and Executive committees. Presently, John serves as Chairman of the Board of LVC portfolio companies Azimuth Technology, Quality Senior Living, and Select Express Logistics and is a board member of Ascent Aviation.
Prior to LVC
John served as President and CEO of Stewart Capital, one of the Gulf South’s largest privately-held investment companies, which invests in a wide variety of industries and commercial real estate. He is a former board member of Stewart Enterprises (NASDAQ: STEI), a $1.5 billion market capitalization company serving the death care industry. John was also an investment banker at both Drexel Burnham Lambert and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, where he specialized in leveraged buyouts, restructurings and principal transactions and completed numerous corporate finance transactions with aggregate dollar volume in excess of $5 billion. John was also a member of the Heico Acquisitions operations team which successfully turned around Davis Wire Corporation, a basic manufacturing company in Irwindale, California. John graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University (’87) with a Bachelor of Science degree and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School (’92).
Outside of LVC
John is an endurance athlete who has completed numerous 70.3 Ironmans and dozens of Olympic-distance triathlons. Inspired by his own fantastic children, John is a passionate supporter of educational causes for at-risk youth; he is a founding board member of the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans, which provides tuition-free private education to inner-city children living below the poverty line. Supporting his alma matter, John is a member of the Board of Advisors of Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. An avid collector of fine wines, John enjoys sharing his collection with family and friends.
LVC Portfolio Coverage
Current Investments
Realized Investments
At LVC
Ray Jeandron is a Partner at LongueVue Capital, where he is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities across a wide range of industries, leading diligence and deal execution efforts, advising and supporting the firm’s portfolio companies with strategic and financial guidance, and managing a variety of other fund activities. Ray is a member of the LVC Investment Committee and Executive Committee and currently serves on the boards of LVC portfolio companies PRT Offshore, Azimuth Technology, Pod Pack and Select Express.
Prior to LVC
Prior to joining LVC in 2009, Ray worked in the investment banking departments of Jefferies & Company and GH Securities in Houston. At GH Securities, Ray advised growing and mid-sized companies on a broad range of transactions, including restructurings, recapitalizations, and equity financings. At Jefferies, Ray worked on over $2 billion of debt and equity-linked transactions, including leveraged buyouts, acquisitions, and recapitalizations for middle market companies. He also has public accounting experience with KPMG's audit group. Ray graduated summa cum laude from Boston College with a Bachelor of Science in Management with concentrations in Accounting and Finance.
Outside of LVC
When not working, Ray can be found playing zone defense with his wonderful wife, Michelle, as they chase around their three young children (Cate, Joseph, and Peter). He enjoys sneaking out to the golf course once every couple of years, watching college football, and partaking in the wonderful food, drink, music, and culture of New Orleans.
LVC Portfolio Coverage
Current Investments
Realized Investments
At LVC
Ryan Nagim is a Partner at LongueVue Capital and member of both the LVC Investment Committee and Executive Committee where he is responsible for helping set the firm’s investment strategy, build and scale the LVC organization, and source, evaluate and execute new investment opportunities. While Ryan spends his time evaluating investments across practically all industries, he also helps lead the firm's healthcare investment strategy. Ryan remains very active post-closing with his investment portfolio and currently serves on the Board of Directors of ECA Medical Instruments, Zavation Medical Products, Quality Senior Living Partners, Platinum Senior Living Partners, and Soho Studio Partners.
Prior to LVC
Prior to joining LVC, Ryan was a Principal in the Healthcare Private Equity Group at American Capital, a global investment management company with over $20 billion in assets under management. During his 10-plus year tenure with American Capital, Ryan supported and led the evaluation and execution of control buyouts in middle-market companies. While at American Capital, Ryan served in a Board Director capacity for ten companies which collectively employed more than 5,000 individuals and generated over $1.0 billion in cumulative annual revenues. Prior to American Capital, Ryan was an Investment Banking Analyst at J.P. Morgan. Ryan graduated Cum Laude with a BBA in finance from Southern Methodist University and received his MBA with Honors from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Outside of LVC
When not working with one of LVC’s entrepreneur partners to drive value creation, Ryan can be found in Uptown New Orleans avoiding playing dress-up with his two amazing daughters, Marion and Talia, or watching over their new puppy, Bessie. While his daughters are asleep, Ryan works to support his talented and much more creative wife’s, Natalie Erwin Nagim, growing art career. Ryan and his family also enjoy exploring the intricacies of New Orleans, boating in Point Clear, AL, and amateur ranching/hunting in Weatherford, TX. Furthermore, Ryan co-founded Young Professionals in Finance with chapters in Dallas and Houston and is an active supporter of his alma matter, SMU, having served in various capacities, including the President’s Steering Committee.
LVC Portfolio Coverage
Current Investments
Realized Investments
At LVC
Becky Toups serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for LongueVue Capital, where she oversees the firm’s financial reporting, regulatory compliance, investor relations, and administrative functions. Becky has been with LVC since its inception in 2001 and is a member of the Executive Committee. She has specialized knowledge in the regulatory reporting and investment accounting related to Small Business Investment Companies.
Prior to LVC
Prior to joining LongueVue Capital, Becky served as the Controller for City Capital Corporation, a New Orleans-based private investment firm, and as a Senior Audit Manager at KPMG in New Orleans, where she began her career in accounting. Mrs. Toups graduated summa cum laude from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and is a licensed CPA in the state of Louisiana.
Outside of LVC
Becky is a lifelong Saints fan and enjoys pilates, dancing, traveling and a good glass of red wine. Becky lives with her husband in Mandeville, LA, and has one grown son, whom she considers to be her greatest accomplishment.
At LVC
As Director of Investments, Charles Cox leads LongueVue Capital's business development activities, including the sourcing, evaluation, and execution of new platform investments and add-on opportunities for existing portfolio companies. An active member of the private equity industry, Charles serves on the Board of Directors of the Southeastern SBIA and Louisiana ACG organizations.
Prior to LVC
Prior to joining LVC in 2011, Charles was an analyst at Covey Capital and practiced law at Allen, Kopet, & Associates where he specialized in insurance defense representing Fortune 500 companies involving general liability issues. Charles holds a bachelor's degree in History/Pre-Law from the University of Georgia, where he was a Presidential Scholar and recipient of the Hope Scholarship, a JD from Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler School.
Outside of LVC
Though he was born in Atlanta, Charles is a loyal Saints convert—in fact, since moving to New Orleans, he has missed only one home game (and only because his sister said she really wanted him at her wedding). The oldest of seven siblings and a recovering attorney, Charles holds a black belt in conflict resolution. He enjoys spending his free time attempting the "Murph" workout, fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, and traveling near and far to visit friends and family.
At LVC
Max Vorhoff is a Principal at LongueVue Capital, where he is responsible for the sourcing, diligence, and execution of new investments, as well as partnering with existing portfolio companies to achieve their growth objectives. Max currently serves on the boards of LVC portfolio companies Pod Pack, Quality Senior Living Partners, Platinum Senior Living Partners, and Soho Studio Partners.
Prior to LVC
Prior to joining LVC, Max worked with the New Orleans Business Alliance, the city’s official economic development organization, where he drove over $350 million in private capital investment via high-impact corporate growth initiatives. Previously, Max worked in the corporate finance investment banking departments of Houlihan Lokey and GH Securities. During that time, he assumed critical roles in a variety of M&A and leveraged finance transactions totaling more than $750 million. Max began his career in strategic planning and portfolio optimization at American Express in New York. Max graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Outside of LVC
Max was born and raised in New Orleans and spent the beginning of his career in New York City, with stints in both Los Angeles and Asuncion, Paraguay. (Thankfully, he managed to find fellow Saints fans in every place he's lived.) He met his wife, a journalist, in Philadelphia at the University of Pennsylvania and a decade later they moved back to his hometown to enjoy all the food and music that the Crescent City has to offer. They find adventure in travelling the world together, and their trips are much more interesting now with a young toddler in tow.
LVC Portfolio Coverage
Current Investments
Realized Investments
At LVC
Austin is a Vice President at LongueVue Capital. Since joining the firm in 2015, Austin has been primarily engaged in performing financial modeling and transaction analysis; processing and executing transactions; providing operational and financial analysis support to portfolio company management; and supporting all other investment activities of the firm. Within LVC’s portfolio, Austin covers ECA Medical Instruments, Zavation Medical Products, and Select Express & Logistics.
Prior to LVC
Austin worked as a financial analyst in the New York office for Moelis & Company, a global independent investment bank that provides advisory services on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations. While at Moelis, Austin executed transactions across a variety of industries and verticals, including M&A and leveraged finance transactions, in- and out-of-court restructurings, and fund recapitalizations for both publicly and privately held companies. Austin worked as a Summer Associate at LVC while studying at the Wake Forest University School of Business, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Finance with honors.
Outside of LVC
The only thing Austin holds closer to his heart than the New Orleans Saints, Texas A&M, and Wake Forest football/athletics is traveling the world with his wife, Avery (a Georgia Bulldog), and their baby boy, John. A New Orleans native who loves exploring the city’s live music scene, Austin first picked up a trombone at 10. When not working or on baby duty, Austin enjoys golfing, skiing, fishing, and beach lounging with Avery. Austin also dedicates significant time to alumni engagement at Choate Rosemary Hall.
At LVC
Evan Golden is a Senior Associate at LongueVue Capital and is primarily engaged in performing financial modeling and transaction analysis; processing and executing transactions; and supporting all other investment activities of the firm. Evan serves on the investment team for Azimuth Technology, Pod Pack, Quality Senior Living, Platinum Senior Living, and Soho Studio Partners.
Prior to LVC
Before joining LVC, Evan worked as an investment banker for Raymond James & Associates, where he was a Senior Analyst in the Energy Investment Banking Group focused on mergers and acquisitions, debt, and equity transactions. During his time, he worked on a number of transactions within the energy exploration & production, service & equipment, and midstream sectors. Evan graduated magna cum laude with a BSM in finance from Tulane University.
Outside of LVC
Despite being a native of San Antonio and a devoted Spurs fan, Evan now considers New Orleans to be his adopted home. Evan is an avid traveler with his pilot’s license and a love of the outdoors, and he takes advantage of any opportunity he can to explore new places or hone his skills as a self-designated semi-professional fly fisherman and skier. While in New Orleans, Evan and his wife, Lakan, love to spend their time taking advantage of the city’s culinary arts while planning their next adventure.
At LVC
As an Associate at LongueVue Capital, Sam Fihma participates in both deal review and transaction execution. Sam is primarily engaged in performing fundamental analysis for new opportunities, executing financial modeling and investment analysis for transactions, and providing operational support for portfolio company management. Sam is a member of the investment team for Select Express & Logistics.
Prior to LVC
Before joining LVC, Sam was a financial analyst in the Corporate Finance group at Duff & Phelps, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt private placements, and transaction opinions in the consumer and industrials sectors, as well as fairness and solvency opinions across a wide range of industries. Sam graduated magna cum laude with a BSM in finance from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University.
Outside of LVC
When Sam isn’t enjoying one of the city’s incredible festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival or Po Boy Fest, he can be found swing dancing around town or playing softball and Spikeball with his friends. While in New Orleans, Sam loves to see funk music at Tipitina’s or the Maple Leaf Bar, but if he’s travelling, he’s probably following around his favorite band, Phish. Although he resides in Saints country, Sam is an avid supporter of the 2018 Super Bowl Champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Prior to LVC
Prior to joining LVC, Erin was an Associate at Ridgemont Equity Partners, a Charlotte-based private equity firm with $3.5bn assets under management. At Ridgemont, Erin supported a behavioral health services portfolio company and evaluated investment opportunities in the healthcare, business services, and technology sectors. Before Ridgemont, Erin spent two years as an investment banking analyst at Deloitte Corporate Finance where she worked on transactions across a wide range of industries. Erin holds a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce.
Outside of LVC
While not at the office (or watching The Office), Erin loves trying new restaurants and running around Audubon park. As a New Orleans native, she is a lifelong Saints fan (for better or worse) and also loves cheering on UVA's basketball team. Erin recently moved back home to New Orleans after being away for 11 years and is excited to be close to family and immerse herself in New Orleans culture.
At LVC
Kincy Gibson is an Analyst at LongueVue Capital who focuses on Business Development activities, as well as sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities.
Prior to LVC
Kincy graduated cum laude from Furman University in South Carolina with a B.A. in Business Administration. While completing her undergraduate degree, Kincy interned as a financial analyst at both LongueVue Capital and The Capital Corporation, and as a marketing analyst at both Professional Tool Products and experiential marketing agency IMG LIVE, a branch of WME | IMG.
Outside of LVC
Kincy is an outdoors enthusiast who has spent much time backpacking and hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Since returning home to New Orleans from South Carolina, Kincy enjoys painting Louisiana wildlife and tasting her way through new restaurants across the city.
Operating Partners
At LVC
As an LVC Operating Partner, Pete helps the team source, evaluate, and execute new opportunities in the healthcare packaging and supply chain segments, low- to mid-tech medical device segments, and medical equipment capital management and disposal segments. Pete also focuses on opportunities that reduce system costs to providers. Pete works closely with management teams post-closing in various roles to drive long-term value in LVC’s healthcare portfolio.
Prior to LVC
Pete’s entire career has been in healthcare, most recently working on behalf of providers as the Executive Vice President of Sourcing Operations for Vizient, the country’s largest healthcare group purchasing organization. He led the strategic direction and the daily operations of Vizient’s contracting and program services.
Prior to joining Vizient, he served in numerous positions at BD Medical, including national accounts director, political lobbyist, and leader of the worldwide Infusion Therapy business. He spent five years with Kimberly-Clark Corporation, where he was responsible for national accounts and global healthcare marketing. Pete began his career with Baxter Healthcare in sales, marketing, and operations.
Outside of LVC
When not corralling their five children, Pete and his wife Gloria love to travel to new destinations, ski, camp and master the Dallas restaurant scene. In addition, since 2000, he has been an active fundraiser, medical team leader, volunteer and member of the Board of Directors for the Project Perfect World Foundation, a non-profit, 501 3‑c charity dedicated to improving the lives of children in the developing world.
At LVC
As an LVC Operating Partner, David helps the LVC team source, evaluate, and execute new food & beverage opportunities. David works closely with management teams post-closing in various roles to drive long-term value via strategic and operational initiatives.
Prior to LVC
From 2006 to 2019, David served as President & Chief Executive Officer of New Orleans-based Reily Foods Company, where he accelerated the growth of Reily’s iconic brands including Luzianne Tea, Blue Plate Mayonnaise, New England, French Market and CDM Coffees, La Martinique Salad Dressings, Wick Fowler and Carroll Shelby Chili Kits, and Swans Down Cake Flour. Prior to Reily, David served as President of Zatarain’s, Inc., a subsidiary of McCormick & Company. During his tenure, the business grew four-fold, from a regional player to a national brand. David’s responsibilities included building out the infrastructure to support Zatarain’s national expansion and extending the product portfolio to include a full line of dinner kits, frozen meals, condiments, and spices & seasonings. Prior to moving to New Orleans, David led the marketing and product development efforts for Denver-based Chef America, Inc. and the Hot Pockets, Lean Pockets, and Croissant Pockets brands, which grew from $100 million to $500 million in a four-year period. Chef America, Inc. was sold to Nestle for $2.6 billion in 2002. David began his marketing and business management career in Chicago with the Quaker Oats Company. David received his undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Outside of LVC
David and his wife Edie live in New Orleans and stay busy with their two sons. David is active in the community serving on a number of boards and advisory councils including the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta – New Orleans Branch, IberiaBank, Baptist Christian Ministries, and Conscious Capitalism. David enjoys reading, snow skiing, boating, and dining with friends.
At LVC
As an LVC Operating Partner, Geoff helps the team source, evaluate, and execute new opportunities in the Life Science industry. Geoff works closely with management teams post-closing in various roles to drive long-term value in LVC’s Life Science portfolio. In addition to his role at LVC, Geoff is currently the Chairman of the Board of Avadel Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:AVDL).
Prior to LVC
Geoff began his career in life science consulting at Ernst & Young before jumping into the Life Science industry at ICN Pharmaceuticals, which eventually became Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Since then, Geoff has held senior executive roles at Valent Pharmaceuticals and Patheon in both sales and operations. Before becoming President of Banner Life Sciences, Geoff served as the EVP of Global Sales and Marketing at Patheon. Most recently, Geoff was CEO of Sancilio Pharmaceuticals and has served on a number of Life Science boards, including Locus Biosciences.
Outside of LVC
Before his knees fully deteriorated, Geoff was an avid marathoner and fund raiser for charities including the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF). He has run nine marathons, over 40 half marathons, and helped more than 50 colleagues and friends complete their first marathon which led to fundraising of over $600,000. Now Geoff ‘runs’ around to keep up with young twins Riley and Roman that he and his wife Nikki welcomed in 2017.
At LVC
As an LVC Operating Partner, Bryan helps the team source, evaluate, and execute new opportunities in the industrial services market. Bryan leverages his four decades of experience as a founder, operator, and senior executive serving the world’s largest energy, petrochemical, and industrial players to support LVC’s industrial services activities with a focus on the electrical and instrumentation, piping and mechanical contracting, and specialty services markets. Post-closing, he works closely with management teams of our industrial services portfolio companies to drive value creation. In addition to his role at LVC, Bryan is a board member of UP Professional Solutions, a professional staffing business focused on the petrochemical sector.
Prior to LVC
Bryan started his career with SECO Industries, an electrical and instrumentation (E&I) services provider based in Louisiana. He managed a number of divisions at SECO before becoming President in 1996. In 2002, Bryan founded Ardent Services, a national E&I business focused on the heavy industrial markets. Ardent was an LVC portfolio company until 2008 when it was successfully sold to Cadent Energy Partners. Bryan continued to lead Ardent as the President & Chief Executive Officer through its next phase of growth until after the company was sold to EMCOR Group in 2015. Under his leadership, Ardent had grown to become one of the nation’s largest E&I companies serving the U.S. industrial and petrochemical industry with over 2,400 employees. Bryan graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.
Outside of LVC
Bryan grew up in the marshes of South Louisiana and has fished the marshes since he began to walk. As of late, he has transitioned from inshore fishing to offshore fishing and spends much of his time between 15 and 60 miles out off the coast of Pensacola, Florida. When the cold weather moves in and fishing slows down, Bryan can be found on the ski slopes in Utah, Colorado, Oregon, and Montana. Bryan also enjoys photography, cinematography, and cooking.
At LVC
Operating partner focused on (i) establishing manufacturing and operating strategy, (ii) leading talent recruitment efforts, and (iii) implementing initiatives to drive value creation. Responsibilities include performing strategic and operational due diligence, engaging with LVC’s investment committee, assessing portfolio company executives and aligning incentives, improving the quality of portfolio company operating functions, and implement ing operational restructurings.
Prior to LVC
Paul served as a Captain in the US Army focusing on maintenance of Air Defense Artillery Missile systems. Paul left the Army to pursue a career in Operations Management, starting with The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) in consumer goods manufacturing. During his tenure with these companies, Paul worked in a number of facilities, participated in the construction and startup of a new facility, and managed several manufacturing facilities. Paul transitioned into medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing in the Healthcare Division of Tyco International Ltd, the predecessor to Covidien Ltd. Paul managed facilities producing a wide range of Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Products. Paul also had multi-plant responsibility for facilities in the United States, Europe, Ireland, and Mexico. Paul graduated from Tulane University with a BS ChE in Chemical Engineering and an MBA.
Outside of LVC
Paul enjoys spending time with family, particularly grandchildren, in Jacksonville, FL. He finds sharing in their activities very rewarding. Paul enjoys the benefits of living close to the Beach and The Florida Yacht Club. Paul has become an avid casual and competitive tennis player. Additionally, Paul enjoys bike riding, cooking, music, and baseball. Paul is a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan and has also followed the New Orleans Saints since his Tulane years.
Advanced Metering Data Systems, LLC
Description
Advanced Metering Data Systems provides Smart Grid remote utility meter monitoring and metering wireless connectivity. Headquartered in New Orleans, LA, the company offers a suite of technology that includes radio-frequency fixed network advanced metering infrastructure, automatic meter reading (“AMR”) technology, remote connect/disconnect, and monitoring services to electric, gas, and water utilities using patented technology that operates on a dedicated, fixed wireless network anchored by licensed FCC spectrum.
LVC Partnership
In 2004, LVC partnered with the company’s founder, a technically gifted entrepreneur with a long track record of successful business ventures, to make a significant minority investment in AMDS. LVC negotiated the investment on an exclusive basis, as AMDS management placed a great deal of value on LVC's experience and financial expertise.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and worked closely with the CEO to develop strategic relationships for commercialization and actively advised on professionalization initiatives to rapidly scale. LVC supported management’s efforts to solicit and evaluate acquisition offers, leading to a highly successful sale in 2006 to Sensus, an international technology company serving utilities owned by private equity players The Jordan Company and GS Capital Partners (Goldman Sachs).
Ardent Services, LLC
Description
Ardent Services provides comprehensive electrical and instrumentation ("E&I") services to process industries worldwide. Headquartered in New Orleans, LA, the company engages in new construction, turnaround services, routine maintenance, commissioning, offshore hookups, inspection services and project management. Ardent serves industrial customers in all sectors of the oil and gas industry, as well as customers in the food processing, chemical, power generation, marine, shipbuilding, and pulp and paper industries, among others.
LVC Partnership
In forming Ardent in 2002, LVC negotiated directly with the founders and finalized a partnership with a highly skilled group of managers that ran one of the top E&I providers in the country. LVC funded the bulk of the company's initial capital and worked with management to ensure the requisite financing was in place to support the company’s growth and working capital requirements ahead of Ardent’s rapid expansion.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and developed a strategic plan to patiently grow the business while adding the people, processes, and infrastructure necessary for expansion. Ultimately, the company grew organically with existing customer relationships to over $100 million in annual revenue in five years. In 2008, Ardent was sold to the private equity firm Cadent Energy Partners.
Arnold Logistics, LLC
Description
Arnold Logistics provides third party logistics services and supply chain management and distribution solutions across 20 leased facilities in core transportation hubs in central PA, central/northern IL, and the Dallas, TX metro area. Headquartered in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, the company offers warehousing, fulfillment, distribution, materials processing, contract packaging, transportation and call center services to a blue-chip client list that includes ACH Food Associated British Foods plc, Kraft Foods, Coors Brewing Company (now MillerCoors), The Hershey Company, IBM, Pfizer, Pepsico, and Simon & Schuster.
LVC Partnership
In 2001, LVC partnered with Arnold’s founder and management team to purchase the company in connection with Arnold Industries’ sale to Roadway Corporation (now part of YRC Worldwide). We structured a transaction that facilitated the transfer of company-owned real state. Management chose LVC because of our differentiated style and our partnership approach to the lower middle market.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and worked diligently with management on an aggressive expansion plan to transform the company from a regional Northeast U.S. provider to a national leader, while diversifying and expanding its customer base. The strategy hinged on building a robust marketing and business development plan and introducing advanced information technology resources and automation to increase the company’s value proposition to customers. As a result, Arnold’s revenues grew over 40% while EBITDA doubled over LVC’s five year partnership with the business. In 2006, Arnold was sold to Oak Hill Capital Partners and was subsequently merged into its portfolio company, Jacobson Companies.
Ascent Aviation Services Corporation
Description
Ascent Aviation Services is a premier provider of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services for multiple platforms of narrowbody and widebody aircraft. Based in Tuscon, AZ, Ascent offers heavy maintenance, storage, reclamation, and backshop capabilities for mid-sized operators and leasing companies. Ascent’s outstanding reputation in the MRO space has enabled the company to build a strong track record of growth and develop a diversified customer base.
LVC Partnership
In 2013, LVC acquired a controlling stake in Ascent and invested capital to support growth. In 2016, LVC merged Ascent with Marana Aerospace Solutions, and the combined entity was rebranded Ascent Aviation Services. The company now provides narrowbody and widebody MRO services in two locations – Tucson, AZ and Marana, AZ. LVC maintains an ownership stake in the combined entity.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and funded growth equity that enabled Ascent to expand and improve its facilities, enhance its service capabilities to include a broader aircraft platform base, and attract a larger customer base. LVC oversaw the implementation of meaningful operational enhancements that improved quality and efficiency. Additionally, LVC restructured and institutionalized Ascent’s sales organization to better position the company to strategically target blue-chip accounts.
Azimuth Technology
Description
Azimuth Technology is a leading manufacturer of precision components for OEMs and aftermarket distributors in the firearm and defense industries. Headquartered in Naples, FL, Azimuth has grown rapidly to become an industry leader in high precision manufacturing. The company’s two state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and expert machinists produce top quality metal components utilized in the manufacturing of a variety of firearms and equipment for the civilian, law enforcement, and defense industries. Azimuth’s scalable and versatile operating platform enables the company to rapidly design, prototype, and manufacture components for new products, existing platforms, or aftermarket replacements and enhancements.
LVC Partnership
LVC partnered with the current management team as well as Clavis Capital Partners in 2017 to acquire the business and provide capital and strategic resources to support future growth. Management selected LVC because of our successful track record, partnership mentality, and aligned vision for Azimuth’s future.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC and our co-investors financed the buildout of a second facility and substantial expansion in manufacturing capacity to meet customer demand. LVC worked closely with management to support a variety of strategic growth initiatives, including end market expansion, the launch of branded products, and investment in back office infrastructure to ensure scale. LVC successfully exited the business in 2020 through a sale to Chumash Capital Investments, LLC (“CCI”), a wholly owned investment entity of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians based in Santa Barbara, CA.
Blue Dot Energy Services, LLC
Description
Headquartered in Bridgeport, West Virginia, Blue Dot Energy Services is a leading provider of oilfield rental tools and equipment in the Appalachian Basin serving exploration & production (E&P) companies and drillers operating in the prolific Marcellus Shale and the burgeoning Utica Shale. Blue Dot offers a comprehensive array of services throughout the lifecycle of a well, including rental tools and equipment, fishing tools and services, completion services, accommodation services, pipe recovery services, machine shop services and pressure control services.
LVC Partnership
In 2010, LVC partnered with the founder of Blue Dot and financed a recapitalization of the balance sheet, which included significant capital for growth. Management chose LVC because of our experience in energy, alignment with the culture and vision for Blue Dot’s future, and creative deal structuring and incentive plans. LVC subsequently provided a follow-on financing in 2011 to support continued expansion.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC worked side-by-side with the company’s founder and executive team to build out a best-in-class management team, implement financial and operational system improvements, expand geographically to cover the Utica Shale, and revamp Blue Dot’s brand and market positioning. Over the course of our investment, Blue Dot doubled revenue and grew EBITDA by over six times. In 2013, Blue Dot was sold to BEA Logistics Services, a subsidiary of then publicly traded BE Aerospace (now, KLX Energy Services).
ECA Medical Instruments
Description
ECA Medical Instruments is a medical product and technology company focused on the development and manufacturing of single-use, torque-limiting instruments, fixed drivers, and instrument kits for OEMs in the global medical device and implant market. Headquartered in Thousand Oaks, CA, the company is the industry leader in single-use torque limiting instruments serving the Cardiac Rhythm Management and Neuromodulation spaces and has leveraged that technology to develop patented and disruptive solutions for the orthopedic, extremities and spine markets. ECA maintains a first mover advantage across all product categories, which represent a low-cost solution with better patient outcomes relative to expensive and inefficient reusable instrumentation.
LVC Partnership
In 2016, LVC partnered with management and an existing board member to acquire a controlling stake in ECA. Management chose LVC because of our experience in healthcare, relationships developed with key executives, and ability to quickly and efficiently execute a transaction. LVC provided follow-on capital to support additional growth initiatives.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and recruited a best-in-class management team of med-tech industry veterans. Given the tremendous potential of the orthopedic, spine, and other tangential markets, LVC worked with management to expand internal resources, increase in-house manufacturing capacity, and add unique capabilities to reduce project lead times. Simultaneously, the company pursued the development and launch of new patent-protected products to solidify its first-mover advantage and dominant market position.
Jackson Offshore Holdings, LLC
Description
Jackson Offshore is a leading provider of offshore supply vessels and marine transportation services for oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Gulf of Mexico. Based in Harvey, LA, Jackson Offshore manages a fleet of modern and efficient platform supply vessels that serve the world’s largest oil and gas companies. The company is focused on providing innovative, technologically advanced, high specification marine solutions to meet the evolving needs of the deepwater and ultra-deepwater energy industry.
LVC Partnership
LVC initially invested equity capital in 2012 and provided follow-on debt and equity capital to finance the construction of Jackson’s next-generation offshore supply vessel fleet. Jackson’s management team chose LVC because of our experience in the oilfield and marine markets, our long term relationship with the Jackson team, and experience supporting the growth of lower middle market companies.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors, providing the management team with support on a variety of initiatives, including capital structure management and evaluation of strategic growth opportunities.
Platinum Senior Living Partners
Description
Platinum Senior Living Partners is a leading owner and operator of premier assisted living and memory care facilities serving seniors 75+ years in tertiary markets throughout the Southeastern U.S. PSL follows the same strategy QSL has successfully executed in partnership with LVC. The company’s private pay facilities are differentiated by excellence in design, service offering, luxury amenities, and technological innovation. The company’s model features a full continuum of quality care and services with no upfront “buy-in” community fees. This innovative approach to senior living provides an unmatched, premium value as compared to alternative care options in the marketplace.
LVC Partnership
In 2019, LVC partnered with management and provided growth capital to fund the development and operation of new senior living facilities after successfully launching three de novo facilities with QSL. LVC negotiated the transaction on an exclusive basis directly with the founders, who believed LVC’s institutional healthcare knowledge, ability to finance a number of projects, and core values aligned closely with management’s vision.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company board of directors and leveraged the value creation initiatives established with QSL to further optimize operations. PSL is building a portfolio of senior living facilities in the Gulf South with two facilities launched in 2019.
Pod Pack International
Description
Pod Pack International is a leading manufacturer of innovative single-serve coffee, tea, and other beverage product solutions. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, LA, Pod Pack’s customer base includes some of the nation’s largest coffee roasting, distribution, and retail businesses. The combination of specialized measurement, grinding, and packaging equipment together with management’s decades of experience in the coffee, filter, and single-serve industries enables Pod Pack to design and engineer optimal single-serve solutions for customers across a wide array of end markets including hospitality, office coffee, food service, and retail.
LVC Partnership
In 2018, LVC partnered with the management team of Pod Pack and financed a substantial expansion of manufacturing capacity. LVC negotiated the transaction on an exclusive basis after spending significant time developing a relationship with Pod Pack’s founder, who partnered with LVC because of a strong cultural fit and our experience in the niche manufacturing industry.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC worked closely with the management team to develop a strategic growth plan and to expand operations into a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility with double the throughput capacity. LVC and Pod Pack attracted a seasoned CFO and implemented an industry-leading ERP system to ensure scalable growth. The company’s innovation and expertise in the single-serve sector has resulted in significant growth with both new and existing customers.
Premier Store Fixtures
Description
Premier Store Fixtures is a leading provider of customized interior fixtures and merchandising displays for the retail industry. Headquartered in Hauppauge, NY, the company supplies fixtures for the opening, refreshing, and remodeling of stores located across North America. Premier's design, engineering, manufacturing, and logistics capabilities are critical for retailers to maintain attractive store footprints and to support the constant roll-out of new products.
LVC Partnership
LVC partnered with the founding management team of Premier in 2013 to finance a recapitalization and to provide growth capital. After several years of rapid expansion, the company sought a partner to help establish a scalable operational platform and to navigate the company’s next phase of growth. Management chose LVC because of our flexibility, entrepreneurial mentality, and heavy focus on partnership.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC worked closely with the management team to execute a wide array of strategic and operational initiatives, including the consolidation and upgrade of warehousing facilities, the streamlining and optimization of its supply chain, and the recruitment and hiring of a number of talented managers to support Premier’s continued growth. Over the course of LVC’s investment period, Premier continued to demonstrate strong growth in revenue and profitability. In 2015, Premier Store Fixtures was acquired by Tailwind Capital, a New York-based private equity firm.
Prime Health Services
Description
Prime Health Services is a leading national provider of medical cost containment solutions. Headquartered in Brentwood, TN, Prime Health is a diversified medical cost containment company that offers a full spectrum of services, including a nationwide Preferred Provider Organization. Prime Health’s cost containment services are tailored to the workers’ compensation, auto liability, and corrections markets. The company is recognized for high quality and customized solutions for its customer base that includes insurance companies, third party administrators, and self-insured employers.
LVC Partnership
In 2014, LVC invested in Prime Health through a structured security that included senior secured debt and equity. We partnered with the founder and CEO of the company, who sought LVC’s experience as a growth-oriented, institutional investor.
Value Creation
Following LVC’s investment, the company continued to expand its customer base and suite of technology-enabled cost containment solutions. LVC worked closely with management to recruit seasoned executives to the management and board of the company. After a successful partnership with management, we exited our debt and equity position in the business.
PRT Offshore
Description
PRT Offshore is a leading provider of stabilization and support equipment for oil and gas companies in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Headquartered in Lafayette, LA, the company’s equipment and services are mission-critical for operators to safely and efficiently perform completion, maintenance, and plug & abandonment activities on deepwater wells. As a leader in quality and safety, PRT’s client base includes major and supermajor oil and gas operators and top-tier service companies operating in the Gulf of Mexico, Canada, and the Eastern Mediterranean.
LVC Partnership
In 2015, LVC partnered with the founding management team of PRT to finance a recapitalization and infusion of growth capital. After rapid growth from a start-up to a meaningful player in the Gulf of Mexico in less than three years, the company sought a growth-minded partner to provide capital to support its continued expansion. Management chose LVC because of our partnership mentality, approach to entrepreneurial businesses, and experience in oilfield services.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and worked closely with the management team to develop and execute a strategic plan geared towards product innovation, customer acquisition, and international expansion. PRT has taken advantage of market headwinds to introduce new, innovative solutions that provide customers significant cost and time savings and improve the safety and efficiency of offshore operations. LVC has continued to support the company’s growth plan in spite of market conditions, resulting in a significant expansion in market share.
Quality Senior Living Partners
Description
Quality Senior Living Partners is a leading owner and operator of premier assisted living and memory care facilities serving seniors 75+ years in tertiary markets throughout the Southeastern U.S. The company’s private pay facilities are differentiated by excellence in design, service offering, luxury amenities, and technological innovation. QSL’s model features a full continuum of quality care and services with no upfront “buy-in” community fees. This innovative approach to senior living provides an unmatched, premium value as compared to alternative care options in the marketplace.
LVC Partnership
In 2017, LVC partnered with management and provided growth capital to fund the development and operation of new senior living facilities. LVC negotiated the transaction on an exclusive basis directly with the founders, who believed LVC’s institutional healthcare knowledge, ability to finance a number of projects, and core values aligned closely with management’s vision.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and streamlined and institutionalized the site selection process for new markets, instituted a scalable capital structure to support de novo growth, and formalized partnerships with experienced debt capital providers to streamline future expansion. To date, QSL has launched three new facilities in the Southeast.
Select Express & Logistics
Description
Select Express & Logistics is a national provider of last mile delivery and assembly services. Headquartered in New York, NY, Select Express specializes in white glove delivery and assembly of heavy goods, leveraging a technology-enabled network of vetted and qualified independent contractors to manage complex, in-home assembly requirements. Established as a New York courier business, Select Express has grown to become a national player in the third-party logistics sector, providing last mile services in all fifty states and Canada along with complimentary transportation and distribution capabilities. The company serves a variety of retailers, e-commerce players, and businesses across a wide array of end markets, including furniture and home goods, sporting goods equipment, healthcare, and home improvement, among others.
LVC Partnership
In 2018, LVC partnered with the management team to recapitalize the business and provide capital for growth. LVC negotiated the transaction on an exclusive basis with the founders after developing a relationship over multiple years. LVC was chosen because of our partnership mentality, relationship approach, and experience in transportation and logistics.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC worked closely with management to design and support a variety of strategic initiatives to further strengthen the depth, quality, and efficiency of the Select Express national delivery network. The company continues to grow its customer base and market share in the heavy goods last mile sector by rolling out new service capabilities with enhanced IT offerings.
Soho Studio Partners
Description
Soho Studio is a leading provider of high quality and price-competitive ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tile as well as specialty interior products. Based in New York, NY, Soho has experienced rapid growth by disrupting the highly fragmented and relatively staid flooring and wall coverings industry with a high degree of innovation, sophistication, and customer service. The Company serves a diverse residential and commercial (e.g., hotel, restaurant, office) customer base throughout the U.S. via a variety of channels, including the Company’s NYC showroom, a network of ~1,200 wholesale stores, a sizeable and growing sales team targeting the commercial segment, and the TileBar.com e-commerce platform.
LVC Partnership
In 2019, LVC partnered with Soho’s founder and members of the management team to acquire the Company and provide capital and strategic resources to support future growth. Over a two-year period, LVC developed a strong relationship with management, gained intimate knowledge of the industry, business, and growth objectives, and ultimately consummated the partnership on a proprietary basis directly with the founder and CEO, without the involvement of an investment banker or intermediary.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the Company’s board of directors and developed a strategic plan with management to professionalize the business and accelerate the Company’s next phase of growth. LVC has worked closely with management to support a variety of strategic growth initiatives, including continued investment in the Company’s innovative e-commerce platform, opportunistic geographic expansion of de novo TileBar showrooms, the targeted launch of new product lines, and the diversification of global sourcing capabilities.
St. George Logistics
Description
St. George Logistics is the leading provider of container freight station services for ocean cargo imported into the United States. The company also provides a broad array of complementary logistics services, including distribution, value-add warehousing, air container freight stations, and expedited transportation services. St. George is headquartered in South Kearny, New Jersey, with additional facilities located in the nation’s largest ports and metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, Savannah, and Charleston, SC.
LVC Partnership
In 2012, LVC partnered with Long Point Capital and Ironwood Capital to acquire a controlling position in St. George. The founder of St. George sought a partner to facilitate his retirement and to transition leadership to a new management team. LVC was selected because of our experience in transportation and logistics and our partnership approach.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and worked with the company to recruit a new management team, transition leadership of the business, and cement its industry leadership position. During the transition, LVC worked in the trenches with management and our co-investors to navigate opportunities and challenges that arose during the change management. We supported St. George’s efforts to expand geographically, roll-out technological innovations, and implement operational best practices. LVC successfully exited the business in 2016 through a sale to Wind Point Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm.
Zavation Medical Products
Description
Zavation Medical Products is a designer and manufacturer of high-quality spinal implants, instruments, and biologics. Headquartered in Flowood, MS, the company designs, engineers, and manufactures a portfolio of spinal hardware covering key areas thoracolumbar, cervical, interbody fusion, and minimally invasive surgery. Zavation has experienced exceptional growth and created a national network of distributors. The company’s ability to rapidly commercialize new products, in-house manufacturing capabilities, and focus on product simplicity and customer service uniquely differentiates it from competitors.
LVC Partnership
In 2017, LVC partnered with Zavation’s founder and members of the management team to acquire the company and provide growth capital. LVC developed a relationship with management over a number of years and negotiated the transaction on an exclusive basis directly with Zavation’s founder. Management believed LVC’s experience in the med-tech space would further accelerate the company’s growth.
Value Creation
Following the investment, LVC took an active role on the company’s board of directors and developed a strategic plan with management to further differentiate the business by introducing novel new products, expanding internal resources with experienced industry professionals, doubling in-house manufacturing capacity, and pursuing complementary acquisitions. As part of the company’s strategic plan, Zavation diversified its distributor base while expanding its geographic reach. In 2018, the company acquired Pan Medical U.S., a high growth unique technology disrupting a channel controlled by two players. LVC led the diligence process and provided financial and operational support through the integration.
CONTACT US
LVC is headquartered in New Orleans and maintains an office in Park City, UT to help us provide national coverage for transaction sourcing and portfolio company support.
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