Our Team
Robert A. Martin David L. Kessenich Ryan Heckman Matthew Hicks Patrick O'Keefe Ryan Glaws Brad Cornell Scott Friar
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Background : People
Prior to joining Excellere, each of our investment professionals and staff had diverse backgrounds and a history of success and achievement. As importantly, we have assembled a team with character and a unique passion for excellence and service to others.
Further reinforcing our differentiated approach, the phrase Strive for Excellence graces the back of Excellere business cards, a wall in our headquarters, and our collateral materials. Strive for Excellence reflects the manifestation of our commitment to a higher standard of service – to our investors, portfolio company managers/partners, lenders, intermediaries, and service providers.
Background : Robert A. Martin
Mr. Martin has spent virtually his entire career originating, operating and investing in middle-market transactions as an entrepreneur (founded two companies), a middle-market investment banker and a private equity investment professional. Mr. Martin has extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing, strategic planning, advising and structuring transactions.
Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Martin was a Director at KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity group. Before joining KRG Capital Partners, Mr. Martin was President of Geneva Corporate Finance (acquired by Citigroup in February 2001), a national investment banking firm specializing in advising privately held middle-market companies. Mr. Martin served in senior positions at Geneva Corporate Finance for 11 years (seven years as a Managing Director and four years as President) and successfully completed or supervised approximately 200 entrepreneurial sell-side engagements of companies with market enterprise values from $15 million to over $500 million.
Mr. Martin earned a BS degree in Accounting and Finance from Hofstra University. Mr. Martin currently serves on the board of directors of Advanced Infusion Solutions, ASI Government, Flavours, Integrated Petroleum Technologies, Personable, and PhyMed Holdings (d/b/a Anesthesia Medical Group). Mr. Martin previously served on the board of directors of Advanced Pain Management, AxelaCare Health Solutions, MedExpress Urgent Care, and MTS Medication Technologies prior to their sales.
rmartin@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2407
Background : David L. Kessenich
Mr. Kessenich has substantial private equity and investment banking experience. Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Kessenich was a Director and member of the investment committee of KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity group. As a private equity investor, Mr. Kessenich has completed more than 50 acquisitions, including industry consolidations in the healthcare services, medical technology, life sciences, industrial technology and services, transportation logistics and energy services industries. Previously, Mr. Kessenich was an investment professional at SBC Equity Partners and Mason Wells. Prior to that, Mr. Kessenich was an investment banker with Continental Bank and Bank of America where he advised middle-market companies.
Mr. Kessenich received an MBA in Finance and International Business from The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business and a BSBA in Accounting and Finance from Creighton University. Mr. Kessenich currently serves on the board of directors of Medtech College/Institute, Integrated Petroleum Technologies, and U.S. Water Services. Mr. Kessenich previously served on the board of directors of Advanced Pain Management, AxelaCare Health Solutions, MedExpress Urgent Care, and MTS Medication Technologies prior to their sales.
dkessenich@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2405
Background : Ryan Heckman
Mr. Heckman has nearly 15 years of private equity investing experience. Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Heckman served as a Principal of KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm. Prior to KRG Capital Partners, Mr. Heckman was an investment professional at Booth Creek Management Corporation (“Booth Creek”), a private equity firm focused on a buy and build strategy, primarily within the food and transportation industries. While serving as an investment professional, Mr. Heckman also maintained interim operating responsibility as President of one of Booth Creek’s portfolio companies.
Throughout his career, Mr. Heckman has participated in numerous consolidations in the food products, transportation, healthcare, life sciences, insurance services, building products, recreation and leisure and government services industries. Mr. Heckman currently serves on the board of directors of ASI Government, Flavours, Medtech College/Institute, Personable Holdings, and U.S. Water Services. Mr. Heckman previously served on the board of directors of MedExpress Urgent Care prior to its sale.
Mr. Heckman earned a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Economics, summa cum laude, from the University of Colorado. Mr. Heckman was a member of the United States Ski Team and competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics.
rheckman@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2409
Background : Matthew C. Hicks
Mr. Hicks has more than 20 years of experience in private equity investing and financing middle-market companies. Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Hicks served as a Vice President of Stone Arch Capital, LLC (“SAC”), an Upper Midwest focused middle-market private equity firm. Prior to SAC, Mr. Hicks was an investment professional at George K. Baum Merchant Banc, LLC (“GKB”), a private equity firm focused on a buy and build investment strategy primarily within the food and beverage, consumer products and business service industries. Prior to GKB, Mr. Hicks was an investment professional with Bank of America’s private equity subsidiary, BankAmerica Capital Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Hicks was a financing professional with Bank of America’s Leveraged Finance Group.
Mr. Hicks has participated in numerous buy and build investment platforms in food and beverage products, healthcare services, outsourced marketing services, consumer products, office furniture products, and industrial and municipal products. Mr. Hicks currently serves on the board of directors of Advanced Infusion Solutions, Flavours, PhyMed Holdings (d/b/a Anesthesia Medical Group). Mr. Hicks previously served on the board of directors of Advanced Pain Management and MTS Medication Technologies, prior to their sales.
Mr. Hicks earned an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship, finance and strategic management from The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business and earned a BS in Finance from the University of Utah.
mhicks@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2410
Background : Patrick J. O’Keefe
Mr. O’Keefe joined Excellere Partners in 2007 and has been a key team member for ASI Government, Medtech College/Institute and U.S. Water Services, the latter for which he serves on the board of directors. Previously, Mr. O’Keefe was an investment professional with H.I.G. Capital, a middle-market private equity firm and an Analyst at JPMorgan in their mergers and acquisition group.
Mr. O’Keefe earned an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a major in finance. Mr. O’Keefe earned a BS in analytical finance from Wake Forest University
pokeefe@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2412
Background : Ryan Glaws
Mr. Glaws joined Excellere Partners in 2007 and currently serves on the board of directors for Advanced Infusion Solutions and Flavours. Mr. Glaws previously served on the board of directors for AxelaCare Health Solutions and was a key team member for MedExpress Urgent Care and MTS Medication Technologies prior to their sales. Previously, Mr. Glaws was Assistant Vice President for GE Commercial Finance in the healthcare finance lending group. Mr. Glaws began his career with Bank One’s capital markets group.
Mr. Glaws earned his Bachelors of Business Administration (Cum Laude) from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio with a major in finance and a minor in economics. Mr. Glaws was awarded his CFA Charter in 2005.
rglaws@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2404
Background : Brad Cornell
Mr. Cornell joined Excellere Partners in 2011 and currently serves on the board of directors for Integrated Petroleum Technologies and Personable Holdings. Previously, Mr. Cornell was a Director with Lake Capital, a private equity firm with $1.3 billion in assets under management. His past experience also includes roles at GE Capital, William Blair & Company, and Bank One Corporation.
Mr. Cornell earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Finance and a BA in Finance from James Madison University.
bcornell@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2402
Background : Scott Friar
Mr. Friar joined Excellere Partners in 2008 and has been a key team member on Integrated Petroleum Technologies, Medtech College/Institute and U.S. Water Services.
Previously, Mr. Friar was an assistant vice president with GE Antares Capital’s Leveraged Finance Group in Chicago, where he was responsible for structuring, underwriting, documenting and managing middle-market sponsor transactions across a variety of industries.
Mr. Friar graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a B.A. in finance.
sfriar@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2408
Background : Brenda Goscha
Ms. Goscha joined Excellere Partners in 2007 and has been heavily involved in the firm’s accounting, operations and administration. Ms. Goscha has more than ten years of private equity experience in administration and operations.
Ms. Goscha’s prior experience includes entrepreneurship, accounting, and banking. Prior to joining Excellere Partners, Ms. Goscha was Administrative Director with KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity group. At KRG, Ms. Goscha was actively involved in administration, operations, and event coordination.
Ms. Goscha earned a BA in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from the University of Denver.
BGoscha@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2414
Background : Justin Unertl
Mr. Unertl joined Excellere Partners in 2010, and has been a key team member on Personable Holdings and PhyMed Holdings (d/b/a Anesthesia Medical Group), as well as AxelaCare Health Solutions prior to its sale.
Previously, Mr. Unertl was an operating partner with Arrowhead Health, a middle-market healthcare service provider. His past experience also includes six years in leveraged finance at Freeport Financial and GE Capital, with a focus on lower middle-market private equity buyouts.
Mr. Unertl earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Wisconsin.
junertl@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2416
Background : Emmett Nelms
Mr. Nelms joined Excellere Partners in 2011, and has been a key team member on ASI Government and Flavours.
Previously, Mr. Nelms worked as an Associate for BIA Digital Partners, a middle-market mezzanine lender, where he was responsible for structuring, underwriting, and monitoring investments. Previously, he spent three years with The Breckenridge Group, a middle-market investment bank located in Atlanta.
Mr. Nelms earned his Bachelors of Science in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia.
enelms@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2415
Background : Bryan Armstrong
Mr. Armstrong joined Excellere Partners in 2012, and has been a key team member on Advanced Infusion Solutions and Integrated Petroleum Technologies.
Previously, Mr. Armstrong spent over seven years with Madison Capital Funding LLC, a middle-market leverage finance firm in Chicago, Illinois that focuses exclusively on private equity buyouts. His primary responsibilities included structuring, underwriting, documenting and managing investments across a variety of different industries.
Mr. Armstrong earned his Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
barmstrong@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2401
Background : Nate Raulin
Mr. Raulin joined Excellere Partners in 2012, and has been a key team member on PhyMed Holdings (d/b/a Anesthesia Medical Group).
Previously, Mr. Raulin was a vice president at GE Antares Capital focusing on private equity sponsored middle-market leveraged finance transactions. During his seven years with GE Antares, his responsibilities included structuring, underwriting, documenting, and managing investments across a variety of industries.
Mr. Raulin earned an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin.
nraulin@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2370
Background : Ashok Reddy
Mr. Reddy joined Excellere Partners in 2012 and focuses on enhancing the Excellere platform, including investor relations, origination strategies and the firm’s value creation process. Mr. Reddy has over eight years of private equity experience, most recently as a Vice President with The Riverside Company, a private equity firm with over $3.0 billion in assets under management.
Mr. Reddy earned a B.A. in Psychology and Neuroscience from Stanford University.
areddy@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2413
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EXCELLERE PARTNERS
100 Fillmore Street, Suite 300 | Denver, CO 80206 | 303.765.2400 | 303.765.2411 Fax