ACG Atlanta: A Strong ESG Strategy to Win With Talent, Investors, & the Bottom Line

Matt Cohen focuses on representation of institutional investors, particularly sovereign wealth funds, in connection with investments in private equity and other commingled vehicles, including buyout, venture capital, distressed debt, special opportunity, infrastructure, hedge and real estate funds, as well as secondary market purchases and divestments. Matt routinely assists clients with corporate structuring, compliance and governance issues, including the application of US anti-money laundering, sanctions and know-your-customer laws and regulations.

Matt spent a significant amount of time in the Middle East as a secondee to an Abu Dhabi-based sovereign wealth fund.  After the secondment, he provided advice to sovereign wealth funds in the region with respect to private equity and hedge fund investments and direct local investments.

Jamie Hamilton is the Managing Director of Atlanta Seed Company, where he is responsible for the formulation and implementation of the investment strategy, including the review of potential investments, the monitoring of existing investments, and the formulation of disposition strategies.  He has an extensive background in alternative investments, with a focus in early stage technology. Mr. Hamilton began his career with Capital Investments, Inc. (Member FINRA / SIPC) where he focused exclusively on private placements of equity for high net worth individuals. He has been a prolific early stage investor in Atlanta and while at Hamilton Ventures he invested in companies such as BrightWhistle, Pindrop Security and PlayON! Sports.  Most recently, Jamie was a Managing Director of the BIP Capital Early Stage Fund. Mr. Hamilton graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology, is a Board of Trustees Member for Wesleyan School in Norcross, GA, is a Board Member for the Georgia Tech Alexander-Tharpe Fund and is a member of the inaugural Mentor program for Techstars Atlanta.

Phil Newton founded environmental consulting and engineering firm GaiaTech, Inc. in 1993 with the goal of providing a pragmatic business approach to transaction due diligence with respect to environmental risk and management. Newton built the company to be a nationally recognized firm specializing in environmental due diligence for financial and strategic buyers and sellers. During his 30-year career, Newton has represented numerous private equity firms, strategic buyers, and other transaction-oriented clients.

Newton sold a majority stake in GaiaTech to private equity investor MSouth Equity Partners in 2007, then guided the company through the “Great Recession.” MSouth subsequently sold the business to RPS Group, a UK-based global and publicly traded company. Newton maintains close relationships within the private equity community and serves as an advisor and board member for several portfolio companies.

Brent Watts got his start at a boutique Tax Credit Syndicator based in Atlanta in 2005 where he worked for 10 years. He started as an analyst and served in many roles including head of acquisitions, Chief Compliance Officer for an RIA, Senior Vice President and shareholder. Brent is the founder of Cabretta Capital Corporation and serves as its President. He has acquired skills in partnership structuring, acquisitions, financial modeling, underwriting, fund management, and asset management. Brent has structured dozens of Private Placements and has provided equity for well over 100 multi-family, Hospitality, and Office properties during his career. Brent has been working extensively in Low Income Housing tax credit properties, Historic Tax Credits, and several other tax advantaged programs since 2005.

Brent is from Savannah, GA and graduated from Benedictine Military School. He holds a BBA in Finance with a concentration in Real Estate from the University of Alabama.

Brent is married with 2 girls and a boy. When he is not spending time with his family, he enjoys flyfishing, camping, hiking, running, snowboarding, snow skiing, and tennis.