On the Move: February 2024 Hires and Promotions

Morrison: Akilah Crichlow

Akilah Crichlow has joined Morrison, a global infrastructure investment firm, as its new Executive Director of Strategy, Product & Growth, according to an announcement sent to Middle Market Growth. At Morrison, she will support the firm’s global growth strategy and develop its strategic initiatives, working closely with Head of Strategy, Product and Growth Melissa Richards. Crichlow’s background is in strategy and corporate finance, having most recently served as Director on the value creation team at Warburg Pincus. She was also previously Engagement Manager in the strategy and corporate finance practice at McKinsey & Company.

Silver Creek Capital: David Matter

David Matter has been hired as co-chief investment officer at Silver Creek Capital, an alternative investment boutique. According to a press release this month, Matter is joining the firm from BlackRock Alternative Advisors, where he served as a managing director and co-chief investment officer. At Silver Creek, Matter will lead the firm’s investment activities with Eric Dillon, the firm’s CEO and co-chief investment officer. “During his 30-year career, Dave was one of the driving forces in the dramatic growth of a complex alternative investment platform, and he has built many valuable high-level manager relationships,” stated Dillon.

West Monroe: Nate Buniva, Adam Drake et. al.

West Monroe, a business and technology consulting firm, announced the promotion of seven team members to managing director. They include Nate Buniva in the operations excellence practice, Adam Drake in the mergers and acquisitions practice, Kate Festle in the mergers and acquisitions practice, Carolyn Gusick within the product experience and engineering lab, Nick Kennedy within the operations excellence practice, Jeff Pehler in the consumer and industrial products practice and Jonathan Ross within the mergers and acquisitions practice. In a statement, West Monroe Chairman and CEO Kevin McCarty said the latest promotions reflect the firm’s “mission to build the next generation of leaders,” adding that he is “incredibly proud of these exceptional individuals who are shaping the future of their clients’ organizations as well as our own.”

Centri Business Consulting: John Swanick and Joe Hayes

John Swanick and Joe Hayes were named the newest additions to Centri Business Consulting, the announcing and advisory firm announced this month. Swanick has been hired as Senior Director, while Hayes joins as Managing Director, and both will lead the firm’s Insurance Practice. Together they bring more than 70 years of combined experience in the insurance and financial services space. Swanick and Hayes will collaborate with clients’ C-Suite executives to support property and casualty, life and annuity, health insurance, and other insurance companies and partners. They both join the firm from Grant Thornton.

Winston & Strawn: Timothy Kincaid and Brad Vaiana

Winston & Strawn, an international law firm, announced the appointments of two new co-chairs of its Transactions Department. Timothy Kincaid in Chicago and Brad Vaiana in New York will co-chair the Transactions Department beginning this June. A press release pointed to both professionals’ experience in M&A and private equity deals: Kincaid’s experience includes working with private equity and strategic acquirers, family funds and individual investors. Vaiana, meanwhile, holds experience advising private equity sponsors, direct lenders, alternative asset managers, family offices and private companies in relation to transactions and other corporate matters. The announcements of their new roles coincided with Winston & Strawn’s announcement that Linda Coberly and Tom Melsheimer have also been appointed as co-chairs of the firm’s Litigation Department.

CrossCountry Consulting: Nadeem Ahmed

Business advisory firm CrossCountry Consulting announced the appointment of Nadeem Ahmed as its newest partner within its Private Equity practice. Based in Dallas, Texas, Ahmed will focus on supporting “the convergence of technology and the CFO function” within middle-market PE-backed companies, according to an announcement provided to Middle Market Growth. Ahmed brings more than 20 years of experience across the M&A transaction lifecycle; prior to CrossCountry, he served as managing director in KPMG’s Deal Advisory and Strategy practice.

JLL Partners: Cara Killackey

Cara Killackey has been hired at middle-market private equity firm JLL Partners in New York, according to a recent press release. The firm focuses on investing in healthcare, aerospace and defense, and business services. Killackey is joining as managing director of Investor Relations and will lead capital formation initiatives for the firm’s flagship funds and co-investment program. She joins JLL from I Squared Capital where she served as principal, leading fundraising and investor relations.

HighPost Capital: Jay Steinle

HighPost Capital, a private investment firm focused on the consumer industry, announced this month that Jay Steinle has been hired as Managing Director, Head of Investor Relations. According to a press release, Steinle will lead the firm’s fundraising and investor relations initiatives to create and foster new and existing client relationships. Based in West Palm Beach, Florida, Steinle brings two decades of experience to the firm. He most recently served as partner, Investor Relations at lower-middle market private equity firm Atlantic Street Capital.

Harris Williams: Ryan Budlong, Brent Spiller et. al.

Harris Williams, a global investment bank focused on M&A and private capital advisory services, announced several senior promotions across its U.S. and European locations. The promotions include Ryan Budlong and bRent Spiller, each promoted to co-head of the firm’s Consumer Group; Jen Bayat, Tyler Bradshaw, Nick Owens, Andreas Poth, Brian Titterington, Bryce Walker, and Greg Waller, each promoted to managing director; Rob Devil and Richard Furseth, both promoted to director; and Will Baker, Ted Casey, Elliot Cave, Colin Chapin, Luke Clifford, Robert Crampton, Nick Crystal, Henry Frost, Sam Funkhouser, Addison Jones, Michael Tuohey, and Kel Wilburn, all promoted to vice president. “We are confident this next generation of senior-level professionals will continue to advance our firm’s capabilities and deepen our relationships with clients across the globe,” stated Harris Williams co-CEO John Neuner.

Prairie Capital Advisors: Tom DeSimone and Hillary Hughes

Prairie Capital Advisors, a middle-market investment bank, announced the promotions of Tom DeSimone and Hillary Hughes to Managing Directors this month. Tom has been with the firm since 2011 and holds extensive experience advising middle-market companies on ESOP transactions, M&A, valuation and other financial advisory services. Hughes also joined in 2011 and provides insights to support ESOP Trustees, business owners and boards of directors to support long-term ownership transaction.

“Tom and Hillary have been major contributors to Prairie’s success. Their unwavering commitment and incredibly high standards are not only an asset to Prairie but to every client we serve. We are excited for both Tom and Hillary to receive these promotions in recognition of their outstanding work,” stated Rocky Fiore, Managing Director and COO.

Hildred Capital Management: Wael Fayad and Stephen Hallenbeck

Healthcare-focused middle-market private equity firm Hildred Capital Management announced the Wael Fayad and Stephen Hallenbeck have both been appointed partners at the firm. Fayad has spent his time at Hildred managing several portfolio companies to drive value and growth. He holds more than 25 years of experience in pharma and biotech. Hallenbeck has focused on sourcing, evaluating, executing and managing various investment opportunities for the firm, having been a part of its investment team for more than eight years. He previously served within Deutsche Bank’s Financial Sponsor’s Group as a member of its Healthcare Investment Banking team.

GenNx360 Capital Partners: Jordan Buxton-Punch

GenNx360 Capital Partners, a private equity buyout firm focused on middle-market industrial and business services companies, has announced the hiring of Jordan Buxton-Punch as Director of Business Development. He joins the firm with more than eight years of origination experience, having most recently served as director of business development for venture capital-backed startup Live Chair, Inc. At GenNx360, Buxton-Punch will manage the firm’s origination processes for platform and bolt-on acquisitions, including sourcing, relationship management and partner identification.

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.