On the Move: March 2025 Hires and Promotions
Private equity firms, law firms and lenders announced new hires and promotions this month
AEA Growth: Jenna Schlageter
Jenna Schlageter, a member of ACG Denver and a former DealMAX chair, has joined AEA Investors‘ growth equity team AEA Growth as Head of Business Development. In her new role Schlageter will oversee the AEA Growth team’s origination strategy, manage intermediary relationships, and drive deal sourcing efforts. She previously held the position of director at Bow River Capital, where she focused on business development within the tech-enabled business services sector.
Andalusian Credit Partners: Moses Awe and Sandy Climan
Middle-market direct lending platform Andalusian Credit Partners has announced the addition of two new professionals to its team.
Moses Awe is joining as Chief Financial Officer. Awe is the former senior director of finance at Hercules Capital, a venture lending-focused business development company. He holds more than 15 years of experience in finance and accounting.
Andalusian also named Sandy Climan as its newest senior advisor. Climan is a veteran in the media and entertainment industry with more than 40 years of experience, and is the CEO of Entertainment Media Ventures. In a statement, Andalusian CEO and Chief Investment Officer Aaron Kless said Climan will support the firm’s connection to the media and entertainment, sports and financial services spaces.
Charlesbank Capital Partners: Michael Treisman
Middle-market private investment firm Charlesbank Capital Partners announced this month that Michael Treisman has been appointed Managing Director, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer. Treisman has more than two decades of experience advising private fund managers. He comes to the firm from Bain Capital, where he had been for 10 years, most recently as a Partner and global General Counsel to the firm’s Special Situations, Credit, Public Equity, Insurance and Partnership Strategies business.
Capstone Partners: Crista Gilmore
Crista Gilmore has been promoted to Managing Director within the Building Products & Construction Services group of middle-market investment banking firm Capstone Partners, according to a recent press release. Gilmore first joined Capstone in 2017 and has more than 15 years of experience in M&A, advisory, public accounting, valuation and corporate finance. Her specialization is on the sell-side across the architecture, engineering and other trade sectors.
Blackford Capital: Rick Lopez
Blackford Capital, a lower middle-market private equity firm, announced the hiring of Rick Lopez as its newest Managing Director. He brings more than 25 years of experience in finance, investment banking and private equity investing. As Managing Director Lopez will oversee the firm’s fundraising initiatives and support sourcing, investment analysis, portfolio management and more. He will be based in Blackford’s Chicago office.
Alvarez & Marsal: Andrew Harris
Alvarez & Marsal’s Private Equity Improvement group has welcomed Andrew Harris to its team, who joins as a Managing Director. Harris was also tapped to co-lead its Commercial Excellence service line, which supports private equity clients of the firm in unlocking new growth opportunities. Harris brings more than 25 year of experience in commercial strategy and execution advisory to the law firm, with an advisory focus on segmentation and targeting, value proposition development and messaging, customer and channel strategy, and sales and marketing. Harris most recently served as Partner and Commercial Excellence Leader at EY-Parthenon and ZS Associates.
Womble Bond Dickinson: Alidad Vakili
Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson announced this month the addition of Alidad Vakili to expand its San Francisco operations as a partner at its Corporate & Securities Practice Group. He brings experience advising businesses and founders on a variety of corporate and transactional matters including M&A as well as debt and equity financing. Vakili’s experience is focused on the technology, healthcare and clean energy sectors, the firm noted.
Evolved, LLC, Tax and Advisory: Zaid Butt
Evolved, LLC announced this month that Zaid Butt, CPA has been promoted as a partner in the firm’s tax and advisory services group. Butt has been with Evolved since 2022, bringing experience in tax compliance, consulting and strategic advisory services across private equity, software, construction, manufacturing, retail and financial services, a press release provided to Middle Market Growth said.
AVALT: James Scola
Boston-based AVALT, a private investment firm, announced this month that James Scola joined as a Partner as well as a member of its Investment Committee within its Professional & Tech Services vertical. In the position Scola will co-lead the firm’s middle-market investments in the industry, complementing AVALT’s Commercial & Industrial Services vertical strategy. Scola brings more than 16 years of experience in private equity and investment banking. He joins AVALT from Abry Partners, where he was a partner and co-led its Financial Services & Technology buyouts team, a press release said.
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.
