On the Move: June 2024 Hires and Promotions

BGL: Dan Gardella

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL), an investment bank and financial advisory firm, announced this month that Dan Gardella is joining as its new managing director within Financial Sponsor Coverage. Gardella will be based in the New York City office. In a statement, BGL’s Executive Committee noted that investing in its Financial Sponsor Coverage supports its broader mission of “bringing a holistic, value-added approach to the private equity marketplace.”

Raymond James: Jo Trahms

Financial services company and investment Raymond James is strengthening its industrials investment banking team with the hiring of Jo Trajms, the firm said this month. Trahms has joining the Commercial & Industrial Services practice within Raymond James’ Diversified Industrials group. She will focus on the energy transition services space and is based in Chicago, a press release said. Trahms brings more than 15 years of experience in investment banking, direct investing and operational roles, most recently serving as vice president of corporate development for energy transition-related acquisitions and corporate venture capital investments at World Kinect Corporation.

HCAP Partners: Jessica Kim, Ben Consoli and Chenjing Wang

HCAP Partners, a private equity firm based in California, has announced two new promotions and one new hire this month. The impact investor has promoted Jessica Kim and Ben Consoli, both to the position of vice president. Kim first joined HCAP as an Impact Capital Managers Mosaic Fellow. Consoli joined the firm from his previous role at middle-market private equity firm CVF Capital Partners. In addition to the two promotions, HCAP also announced that Chenjing Wang is joining the firm as a senior associate on its investment team. Wang joins with a background in credit and underwriting.

Prairie Capital Advisors: Macie Dorow

Prairie Capital Advisors, a corporate advisory and investment banking firm, announced this month that Macie Dorow has been promoted to vice president. She first joined the firm in 2016 and executes M&A, capital formation and other investment banking transactions within Prairie. In a statement, Prairie Managing Director Anthony Dolan said Dorow “has played a critical role in mentoring staff, leading key firm initiatives and managing important M&A transactions.”

Calvetti Ferguson: Andrea Ontiveros and Chris Komarek

CPA and advisory firm Calvetti Ferguson, which services middle-market businesses, family offices and private equity firms, announced two new hires this month. Andrea Ontiveros has been named Tax Incentives Director, while Chris Komarek is joining as Risk Advisory Director. Ontiveros joins the firm with eight years of experience in R&D tax credits, specializing in a variety of industries including architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing and software. Komarek joins with more than 20 years of experience in accounting and risk advisory, particularly within internal controls, internal audit and SOX compliance.

Harris Williams: Sam Hendler

Harris Williams, a global investment bank focused on M&A and private capital advisory services, announced Sam Hendler is rejoining the firm as a managing director. He’ll focus on healthcare IT and be based in Boston. Hendler had been with Harris Williams from 2005 to 2022. He most recently served as managing director of business development within healthcare at Thomas H. Lee Partners. His experience spans provider and payer workflow and data solutions, revenue cycle management, pharma and life sciences technology, tech-enabled services and more.

The DAK Group: Yanni Leakas

Boutique investment bank The DAK Group, which focuses on servicing middle-market businesses, announced Yanni Leakas is joining as an analyst. He was a member of the firm’s 2023 Summer Intern program. At the firm Leakas will play a key role in the transaction process and deal analytics within the Deal Team. He graduated with a degree in finance from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

HGGC: Rachel Stock and Cecilia Kwan 

Middle-market private equity firm HGGC announced the hiring of two new c-suite executives. Rachel Stock is joining as general counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, while Cecilia Kwan has been hired as Chief Financial officer. Stock will lead the firm on all legal and compliance initiatives, and will chair its Legal and Compliance Committee. She joins HGGC from Hellman & Friedman LLC. Kwan will oversee strategic and day-to-day financial operations at HGGC and serve as chair of its Finance Committee. She joins HGGC from B Capital Partners.

Coalesce Capital: Curtis Roby, James “JJ” Hearty and Christian Diez

Private equity firm Coalesce Capital announced this month three new hires. They include Curtis Roby, wo is joining as a managing director; James “JJ” Hearty, who joins as managing director and head of Business Development; and Christian Diez, who joins as managing director and Chief Financial Officer. The new hires follow the firm’s recent close of its $900 million debut fund, it noted in a press release. In a statement, Coalesce Founding and Managing Partners Stephanie Geveda said, “Each colleague brings a depth of skills and domain knowledge that will greatly enhance our capabilities and position us to better serve the next generation of leading entrepreneurs.”

Middle Market Growth is produced by the Association for Corporate Growth. To learn more about the organization and how to become a member, visit www.acg.org.