Leveraging Complementary Strengths
Leveraging Complementary Strengths
Leveraging Complementary Strengths
Our firm started in 2012 with a simple premise: leverage our friendship, complementary skills, and experience with a singular focus on partnering with differentiated industrial growth businesses.
The May River team takes great pride in its culture of partnership and collaboration – a characteristic rooted in the fundamental appreciation of the human element in business.
Investment Team
Chip Grace
Chip is a founding partner of May River Capital. Chip leads origination and development of executive relationships at May River and assists in the overall management of the firm, including the development of investment theses, origination of new investment opportunities, deal structuring, negotiations, transaction execution, and portfolio management.
Prior to co-founding May River, Chip was, from 2000 to 2011, a Principal and Managing Director at Wynnchurch Capital, a Chicago-based private equity firm. While at Wynnchurch, Chip was involved in all facets of the investment process, and participated in numerous platform acquisitions within the industrial segment. Prior to joining Wynnchurch, Chip worked in leveraged finance and investment banking at GE Capital, Salomon Smith Barney, and A.G. Edwards & Sons.
Chip serves as a member of the board of trustees of Lake Forest Country Day School.
Chip earned a B.A. from Duke University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Active across the portfolio for May River
Dan Barlow
Dan Barlow co-founded May River in 2012. He is responsible for developing investment theses, structuring, negotiating, and executing transactions, and leading foundational value creation within the portfolio. He is a member of the board of directors of several May River portfolio companies.
Prior to May River, Mr. Barlow was a Principal with Valor Equity Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm, where he worked from 1998 to 2010. Mr. Barlow is an Eagle Scout and is active in his community through a range of charities focused on supporting veteran families, children’s healthcare, education, and after-school programs. Mr. Barlow was formerly a Captain with the 110th Fighter Wing, Michigan Air National Guard. He holds a B.E. from Vanderbilt University.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Industrial Flow Solutions; PaperTech; Unibloc Hygienic Technologies; RLE Technologies
Steve Griesemer
Steve is a founding partner of May River Capital. Steve co-leads portfolio management at May River and assists in the overall management of the firm, including the development of investment theses, origination of new investment opportunities, deal structuring, negotiations, transaction execution, and internal operations.
Prior to co-founding May River, Steve was a Partner at Baker McKenzie focused on mergers and acquisitions ranging from middle market U.S. transactions to multi-billion dollar, international transactions. Prior to his time at Baker McKenzie, Steve was an Associate with the law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman and a Vice President of Business Development and General Counsel for the Erlen Group, a holding company including limestone mining, industrial real estate, warehousing and other industrial businesses. At the Erlen Group, Steve handled new business development and operational matters, including union negotiations, refinancings, litigation management, and commercial negotiations.
Steve serves as a member of the board of directors of Metropolitan Family Services, Chicago’s legacy human services agency which reaches tens of thousands of families and individuals annually. He was previously a mentor with Link Unlimited, which provides educational college preparatory opportunities for economically disadvantaged African American high school students.
Steve earned a B.A. from Yale University with distinction and a J.D. from Notre Dame Law School where he was a White Scholar.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Advanced Material Processing; Automated Handling Solutions; Dickson; Boston Centerless
Pat St. John
Pat is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Pat was an Associate at TD Securities in the Industrials investment banking group where he advised packaging, tissue, building products, and consumer products companies in the United States and Canada.
Pat earned a B.S. from Boston College (with honors) and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: NSL Analytical; Unibloc Hygienic Technologies, Boston Centerless
Angela McCoy
Angela is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Angela was, from 2011 to 2020, a Senior Vice President in the Private Investments group at PSP Capital Partners, a Chicago-based family office. While at PSP, Angela was involved in all facets of the investment process and participated in numerous platform acquisitions across a variety of industries. Prior to joining PSP Capital in 2011, Angela was an Associate in the Leveraged Finance group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Angela currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Midwest Chapter of the Women’s Association of Venture and Equity (WAVE) and is a member of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN).
Angela earned a B.S. in Finance from Wake Forest University.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Automated Handling Solutions; PaperTech
Mitch Bardon
Mitch is primarily responsible for the origination and development of new investment opportunities, including developing relationships with industry executives, business owners and intermediaries. Mitch is also responsible for evaluation, due diligence, research, financial analysis and portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Mitch was a Director at BMO Capital Markets in the Industrials Investment Banking group where he led the group’s efforts in Flow Control and several niche manufacturing sectors. Prior to joining BMO, Mitch was a Vice President at Deutsche Bank in the Global Industrials Group. Mitch has advised on M&A, debt and equity transactions in excess of $20 billion across Diversified Industrials and Packaging verticals. Prior to investment banking, Mitch was a Manager focused on Operations, Strategy and Supply Chain at LafargeHolcim (f.k.a., Holcim).
Mitch earned a B.A. from Michigan State (with honors) and an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Active across the portfolio for May River
Francois Marti
Francois is primarily responsible for the origination and development of new UK and European add-on investment opportunities, including developing relationships with industry executives, business owners, and intermediaries. Francois is also responsible for offering ground-level support to UK and European divisions within the May River portfolio.
Prior to joining May River, Francois was the Chief Operating Officer for the North American region of global TICC company, SGS. Prior to joining SGS, Francois served as CEO of FCA Services, the former Fiat Chrysler Automobiles services company.
Francois earned a B.A. from the Graduate Institute of International Studies and an M.B.A. from the University of St. Gallen.
Patrick McVickers
Patrick is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Patrick was a Financial Analyst at Houlihan Lokey in the Industrials investment banking group, where he advised automotive, capital goods, metals and mining, and plastics and packaging companies.
Patrick earned a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan with high distinction.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Dickson; Industrial Flow Solutions; RLE Technologies
Phil Ramsbottom
Phil is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Phil was an Associate at Inoca Capital Partners, a lower middle-market private equity firm, where he was responsible for the evaluation of new investment opportunities as well as portfolio management.
Phil earned a B.A. from Beloit College with honors.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Advanced Material Processing; Automated Handling Solutions
Sam Goldsberry
Sam is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Sam was a Financial Analyst at Houlihan Lokey in the global industrials investment banking group, where he advised automotive, capital goods, and industrial technology companies.
Sam earned a B.B.A. in Accounting and Finance from the University of Iowa with high distinction.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: NSL Analytical; PaperTech; Unibloc Hygienic Technologies, Boston Centerless
Clayton Weirather
Clayton is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Clayton was an Analyst at Lincoln International in the Industrials investment banking group, where he advised building products, industrial distribution, automotive, and industrial technology companies.
Clayton earned a B.B.A. in Accounting and Finance from the University of Iowa with honors and highest distinction.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Dickson; Active across the portfolio for May River
Alex Brown
Alex is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, Alex was an Analyst at Chartwell Financial Advisory Inc. in the investment banking group, where he advised industrial distribution, business services, and technology companies.
Alex earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia and completed year one of an M.B.A. at the Yale School of Management through its Silver Scholars program. Alex is currently in a flexible “gap period” for work (generally one to five years) between years one and two of the M.B.A. program.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: NSL Analytical; RLE Technologies
James Napier
James is responsible for the evaluation, due diligence, research, and financial analysis of new investment opportunities, as well as portfolio management.
Prior to joining May River, James was an analyst in the Global Industrials Investment Banking Group at Perella Weinberg Partners where he advised metals & mining, automotive & mobility, and general industrials companies. James began his career in Goldman Sachs’ Investment Management Division where he managed assets for families, foundations, and institutions.
James earned a B.S. in Finance from Indiana University.
MAY RIVER INVESTMENT INVOLVEMENT: Industrial Flow Solutions; Advanced Material Processing; Automated Handling Solutions
Patrick Wasser
Patrick is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer for May River.
Prior to joining May River, Patrick was a Director with the Leveraged Finance product group at Fifth Third Bank, where he sourced new business opportunities, and led the analysis, structuring, and execution of cash flow-based senior debt financing in support of private equity investment activity across a wide variety of industries. Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank, Patrick worked in leveraged finance at PNC Bank and Madison Capital Funding, principal investing at Bank of America Capital Investors, and investment banking at Robert W. Baird and Co.
Patrick earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.B.A. from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Rosie Vass
Rosie provides general administrative support for the three founding partners and assists with overall management of the office, including marketing, event planning, and internal administrative processes.
Prior to joining May River, Rosie was an executive assistant at Vista Equity Partners, a U.S.-based software investment firm.
Jane Kathrein
Jane provides general administrative support to the firm and assists with overall management of the office, including marketing, event planning, and internal administrative processes.
Executive Resource Group – Functional Leaders
Todd Barrett
ERG Commercial leader & Operating Partner working closely with the May River Portfolio Companies to further their strategic and growth-focused initiatives. Former operating executive at General Electric, Pall and Danaher Corporation. Extensive commercial excellence, operations, and acquisition integration experience. Specializes in global, diverse industrials, aerospace & defense, strategy, and continuous improvement process implementation.
Ryan Cassil
Functional expert ERG member that supports both new investment opportunities as well as the existing May River portfolio. Former finance executive at Tempus Labs. Prior experience also includes financial, commercial, and operational leadership roles with Kraft Heinz, a 3G Capital portfolio company. Specializes in business systems, systems integration, and financial reporting optimization.
Rahul Deshmukh
Current CEO-in-waiting and looking to develop a new investment platform with May River. Former operating executive at Flow Dry Technology, Dover Corporation, Emerson, and Monsanto. International experience includes leadership roles in China, India, Hungary, Czech Republic, and Brazil. Specializes in engineered products and instrumentation.
Kenny Kim
Kenny is responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of a suite of value creation products utilized throughout the May River Portfolio.
Susan Newman
Functional expert ERG member that supports both new investment opportunities as well as the existing May River portfolio. Former human resources executive at DS Smith. Prior experience includes human resources leadership roles with Interstate Resources and MeadWestvaco. Specializes in labor and employee relations.
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Chris Sheehan
Functional expert ERG member specializing in operations management, strategic sourcing, and supply chain optimization. Former acquisition integration executive at Driven Brands, a Roark Capital portfolio company. Prior experience also includes extensive sourcing and supply chain leadership roles with AB InBev and the United States Army.
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Hayden Wiest
Hayden is responsible for the development, implementation, and execution of a suite of value creation products utilized throughout the May River Portfolio.
Executive Resource Group – Other Members
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Dan Drexler
Chief Investment Officer – Public Securities at Longview Asset Management, a Chicago-based, multi-strategy investment firm which invests for individuals, trusts, and foundations. The firm uses intensive industry and company research to manage its three principal investment strategies: constructing portfolios of publicly traded securities, making equity investments in private companies, and purchasing limited partnership interests in private equity funds and hedge funds operated by independent investment firms. Former Director of Operations of Quality Products, Inc. and current board member of Albany Bank & Trust, Chicago Atlantic, RF Investment Partners, and Timberhill, as well as a senior advisor to Right Lane Capital.
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Brad Sterner
Current CEO of Automated Handling Solutions and Executive Chairman of Advanced Material Processing. Prior Board Member of Hunt Valve and Industrial Flow Solutions. Former operating executive at Colfax, Rexnord, IDEX, Danaher, and Emerson. Extensive operations and M&A experience. Specializes in high-value manufacturing and engineered products.
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Chris Stevens
Current CEO of Unibloc Hygienic Technologies and Board Member of Industrial Flow Solutions. Former operating executive at Honeywell, Pentair, Tyco International, Fisher Scientific, McKinsey & Company, and Westinghouse Electric. International experience includes leadership roles in Australia and Switzerland. Specializes in industrial products manufacturing, marketing, and sales.
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Rick Weiler
Current CEO of Dickson. Former CEO of Atlas Material Testing. Prior career includes senior leadership roles with Micronics, PerkinElmer Optoelectronics, Allied Signal, and United Technologies. Specializes in Test & Measurement instrumentation and engineered products.
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John Wilson
Current CEO of Industrial Flow Solutions. Former operating executive at Emerson. Extensive M&A and integration experience. International experience includes multiple leadership roles in Asia. Specializes in industrial and engineered product sales, marketing, operations, and design.
Our Track Record
Explore our growth strategies as industrial sector specialists and business builders.
Let’s Partner
Our success is grounded in developing relationships with like-minded people, teams, and organizations.