On the Move: August 2024 Hires and Promotions

Godspeed Capital Management: Matt Dunavant

Godspeed Capital Management provided an announcement to Middle Market Growth noting the lower middle-market private equity firm’s hiring of Matt Dunavant. Godspeed Capital, which focuses on the defense and government solutions space, brought on Dunavant from his previous role as investment banking associate at Baird. There, he focused on the firm’s aerospace, defense and government services sector practice. Dunavant joins Godspeed Capital as an associate.

Waud Capital Partners: Scott Fischer

Scott Fischer has been promoted to principal at Waud Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, according to a press release this month. He joined the firm in 2013 as an associate, rejoining after earning his MBA in 2019 as a vice president. Fischer specializes in the software and technology market and currently serves on the boards of two portfolio companies. He previously worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in its investment banking unit.

Freshfields: Eva Y. Mak

Eva Y. Mak has joined law firm Freshfields as a private capital partners based in its Silicon Valley Office, a notice on Freshfields’ website said earlier this month. Mak focuses her practice on representing private equity, growth and venture funds and their portfolio companies in large capital, middle-market and growth transactions. Her hiring comes as Freshfields continues to expand its private capital services with new hires in private equity and beyond. In a statement, global co-head of private capital Neal J. Reenan said Mak “has represented some of the most active West Coast private equity and growth investors.”

Alvarez & Marsal: Dina Hernandez

Dina Hernandez has been appointed managing director and the firm Chief People Officer (CPO) for the Global Transaction Advisory Group and Corporate Transactions Group of global professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal. The firm announced this month that the newly established role of CPO will see Hernandez lead talent management and acquisition as well as oversee the firm’s diversity initiatives. Hernandez is an alumna of A&M, most recently serving as Chief People and Corporate Services Officer at Qualus, and previously serving as A&M’s Global Director of Human Resources.

Winston & Strawn: Banee Pachuca

Law firm Winston & Strawn LLP announced the hiring of Banee Pachuca as its newest partner, who will work in the firm’s Houston office. She joins the firm’s Transactions Department team and will focus on healthcare. Pachuca’s practice specializes in healthcare law, including transactional and compliance matters, a press release said. She brings to the firm experience representing private equity and financial investors as well as hospitals, large physician groups and other healthcare entities in M&A transactions. The hiring reflects the firm’s efforts to continue expanding its presence in healthcare transactions, Winston & Straw’s announcement noted.

BGL: Seth Rosenfield

Brown Gibbons Lang & Company (BGL) said in a press release this month that it has hired Seth Rosenfield as a new managing director. Rosenfield brings more than 25 years of experience in information services, business media and marketing technology and services investment banking to the investment bank and advisory firm. At BGL, Rosenfield will co-lead its new Technology & Information Services unit within its Services vertical. He joins the firm from Canaccord Genuity, where he served as managing director.

Wynnchurch Capital: Carl Howe and Brian Riordan

Middle-market private equity firm Wynnchurch Capital has announced two promotions this month, as well as five new hires. The two promotions include Carl Howe and Brian Riordan, both promoted as managing directors in the firm’s investment team. Wynnchurch also added Steve Yan, Alex DeAraujo, Adam Rimmer, Chris Wilson and Bob Zeeb to strengthen its operations and investment teams, “each bringing valuable knowledge and experience further strengthening our team and contributing significantly to our continued growth,” stated Wynnchurch managing partner Chris O’Brien.

Cascadia Capital: Jordan Finkler

Cascadia Capital, an investment bank focused on the middle market, said Jordan Finkler has joined the firm as a managing director within its Business Services group. Finkler marks the third managing director to join Cascadia’s Services practice in the last quarter. He will be based in its New York office and focus on the technology services sector, an announcement noted, adding that he brings more than 19 years of experience. Finkler was most recently a managing director at DC Advisory.

Lincoln International: Alex Johnston

Global investment banking and advisory firm Lincoln International has hired Alex Johnston as a managing director to lead its IT services operations in the Business Services Group, according to a recent announcement. Johnston will provide M&A advisory services to clients including private equity firms and corporate acquirers. He will focus on transactions within the data, AI, software development, digital products and cloud services sectors. According to the announcement, Johnston brings nearly two decades of experience to the firm.

Monomoy Capital Partners: Renn Iaboni et. al.

Monomoy Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm, announced several promotions this month across its investment, operating and origination teams. They include Renn Iaboni, promoted to managing director and head of origination. On the firm’s operating team, promotions include Hasan Niazi, promoted to senior operating executive, and Hunter Behne, promoted to senior associate. Finally, on its investment team, Monomoy promoted Ryan Curtis and Andrew Kahn to senior associates, and Vaibhav Srinivasan to associate. In its announcement, Monomoy said the efforts of the individuals promoted “have been integral to the firm’s successes.”

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