ACG 101 Webinar: Evolving Trends in M&A and Private Equity

José Blanco is a Managing Partner at CVF Capital Partners and brings over 30 years of investment experience to the firm. At CVF Capital Partners, Mr. Blanco has led investments in healthcare, manufacturing, recycling, aerospace, logistics, business services and telecom throughout the Western U.S. He currently sits on the boards of Pioneer Recycling Services, BC2 Environmental, Gary Platt Manufacturing, ComAv and Cool Mountain Transport where he has teamed up with owners and founders to build value for all stakeholders. Before co-founding the firm in 2005, Mr. Blanco served as a Regional Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at AIG Investment Corporation (AIG), where he supervised direct investments in a variety of industries including manufacturing, logistics, distribution, business services and financial services. Mr. Blanco earned a PhD in Economics from Utah State University, an M.S. from the University of Utah, an M.B.A. from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. from Saint Michael’s College.

Mr. Knapp joined Levine Leichtman Capital Partners in 2016. He is a dedicated member of the Firm’s Structured Equity investment team, focused on originations and due diligence activities. Prior to joining LLCP, Mr. Knapp was an Associate at LaSalle Capital, a Chicago-based lower middle-market private equity firm, where he was involved in all aspects of the investment process. Previously, he was an investment banker at Macquarie Capital in New York, where he executed various M&A, equity and leveraged finance transactions.

Mr. Knapp has an MBA with Honors from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BS in Business Administration with High Honors from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington.

Bruce is a founding principal and Managing Director of StoneCreek Capital LLC. Founded in 1992, StoneCreek is an independent private equity sponsor focused on investing directly in growth-oriented management buyouts. Each StoneCreek transaction is financed on a standalone basis with equity provided by institutional investors, family offices, high net worth individuals and the StoneCreek principals. StoneCreek targets transactions ranging from $10 million to $100 million. StoneCreek’s most recent acquisitions include Kova International (www.kovaintl.com), Pinnacle Exhibits (www.pinnacle-exhibits.com), Mob Scene (www.mobscene.com), Rio Ranch Market (www.rioranchmarket.com), Montana Silversmiths (www.montanasilversmiths.com) and ACCESS DMC (www.accessdmc.com). Bruce’s previous experience includes four years as an Associate/Vice President at Kelso & Co. and three years as an Assistant Vice President in the high technology division of the Bank of Boston. Bruce is a founding member of the Orange County Transaction Network, is an active member of the Orange County chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, is on the organizing committee for the Southern California ACG MBA Cup, was an adjunct professor at the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics (California State University Fullerton) and served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Kids Konnected. Bruce received his BA (economics) from the University of Washington, Phi Beta Kappa and his MBA (finance) from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

Chris is responsible for sourcing, structuring, financing and executing investments at Gallant Capital. Prior to joining Gallant, Chris was an investment professional at EQT Partners in New York, focused on evaluating and executing investment opportunities across a range of sectors. Prior to joining EQT Partners, he was an investment professional at The Gores Group in Los Angeles, where he evaluated and executed investment opportunities in the technology, business services, industrials and healthcare sectors. Prior to joining The Gores Group, Chris worked in the investment banking division at J.P. Morgan in Los Angeles. Chris received a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.

David Bonrouhi is co-founder and Managing Director of Calabasas Capital, a boutique investment banking firm provide M&A advisory and private equity and debt capital raising for lower mid-market companies. David has 25 years of investment banking and private equity experience. David began his investment banking career at Merrill Lynch in New York and later worked in private equity and venture capital for UnionBanCal Equities, where he co-managed Union Bank’s $200 million portfolio of private equity investments in middle market companies in a wide range of industries. David began his career as a CPA and tax consultant with Price Waterhouse in New York. David holds Series 7, 63 and 79 licenses with Fallbrook Capital Securities Corporation (Calabasas Capital is a dba of Fallbrook Capital). David is a licensed California CPA (inactive) and a licensed California real estate broker. David has an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Studies from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management; and a Masters in Tax and a B.S. in Accounting from Miami of Ohio.