February 28, 2023
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, is pleased to announce that Franny Jones, Jim Apple and Jud Morrison have been promoted to Partner. In addition, Claudine Lussier was promoted to Managing Director, Human Capital.
“We are excited to recognize the dedication and contributions of these key team members,” said Brad Staller, Partner at The Sterling Group. “Franny, Jim, Jud and Claudine are experts in their respective roles and have played a critical part in Sterling’s success to date. We are thrilled to celebrate the talents and contributions of these four individuals.”
Franny Jones, Partner, Investor Relations, joined Sterling in 2010 to lead the firm’s fundraising and investor relations efforts. During Franny’s time at Sterling, the firm has raised five funds across its Middle Market, Lower Middle Market and Private Credit strategies totaling over $4.4 billion in capital commitments.
Jim Apple, Partner, Sourcing, joined Sterling in 2013 to lead the firm’s sourcing efforts. For over a decade, Jim has helped families and entrepreneurs, find and structure the right solutions for their businesses. Jim is passionate about understanding the current and potential “future state” of a company and its industry, a passion shared across the Sterling team.
Jud Morrison, Partner, Operations, joined Sterling in 2018 to lead the execution of operational initiatives at Sterling portfolio companies and continuous improvement efforts within Sterling. Jud works closely with Sterling’s investment professionals and portfolio management teams to drive growth and build capabilities for Sterling portfolio companies. Since joining Sterling, Jud has played a critical role in the execution and continued refinement of the Sterling value creation model.
Claudine Lussier, Managing Director, joined Sterling in 2017 to lead both the firm’s and its portfolio companies’ human capital efforts. She is responsible for developing and implementing people and talent management strategies to help drive growth through comprehensive human talent strategies and the identification and acquisition of talent.
To learn more about a career at The Sterling Group, please visit www.sterling-group.com/careers/ or contact Claudine Lussier at clussier@sterling-group.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 64 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.1 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
October 04, 2022
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces the addition of Amath Fall as Operating Partner, Financial Operations. As a member of the firm’s Portfolio Resources Group, Amath will lead value creation initiatives in the areas of accounting and financial operations across the firm’s portfolio companies.
Amath brings over 20 years of financial and operational leadership experience as Chief Financial Officer and in other various roles in industrial businesses. Most recently, Amath was the Chief Operating Officer after serving as CFO at Berlin Packaging, where he led a team of around 600 employees. Amath also brings experience from his time as CFO of FleetPride.
“Amath brings extraordinary operational and financial expertise to the Sterling team, and will have a tremendous impact on our portfolio companies as a critical and integral part of the Sterling value creation model,” said Brad Staller, Partner at The Sterling Group.
For forty years, Sterling has partnered with management teams of industrial businesses to drive growth and transformation. Sterling investment teams and members of its Portfolio Resources Group work collaboratively with management teams to seek growth and optimize operations. Over 75% of Sterling’s past investments have been corporate carve-outs or partnerships with family or entrepreneur owned businesses.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 63 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
April 18, 2022
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces the additions of Meghan Leggett as Director, and Jared North as Director, Sourcing, as well as six internal promotions: John Griffin has been promoted to Director; Steven Hirsch to Director; Nate Reeve to Principal; Annika Ward to Vice President, Management Company Accounting; Jared Bell to Vice President; and Christine Shtepani to Vice President, Sourcing.
“Each of these talented individuals has made tremendous contributions to the firm and we look forward to their continued success in their new roles,” said Brad Staller, Partner at The Sterling Group.
Meghan Leggett, Director, joins Sterling from White Deer Energy where she was a Managing Director focused on investing in products and services businesses in the energy, industrials and infrastructure end markets. Jared North, Director, Sourcing, joined Sterling in March to expand the firm’s sourcing efforts in the Northeast. Prior to Sterling, he spent twelve years in investment banking, most recently with Stifel and RBC Capital Markets in New York, advising clients on acquisitions, divestitures and financings across the Diversified Industrials sector.
To learn more about a career at The Sterling Group, please visit www.sterling-group.com/careers/ or contact Claudine Lussier at clussier@sterling-group.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 62 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling recently closed its fifth investment fund with $2.0 billion in commitments and currently has over $5.7 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
October 13, 2021
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces the addition of Carsten Weber as Technology Director. As a member of the firm’s Portfolio Resources Group, Carsten will lead technology value creation across the firm’s portfolio companies.
Carsten brings over 20 years of technology leadership experience in various roles both in industrial businesses and in consulting. Most recently, Carsten was the Director of PMO and ERP Transformation at Enbridge.
“Carsten is a great addition to the Sterling family and has already begun executing important initiatives firm-wide in the few months he has been with us,” said Brian Henry, Partner.
For forty years, Sterling has partnered with management teams of industrial businesses to drive growth and transformation. Technology is one of Sterling’s Seven Levers, or seven areas in which the firm consistently and materially impacts businesses. Technology investments typically offer meaningful opportunities for value creation at industrial companies.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 61 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $5.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
March 25, 2021
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces four internal promotions: Erin Arnold has been promoted to Managing Director; Johann Friese to Principal; Aryan Sameri to Principal, Commercial Diligence and Strategy; and Jacob Broom to Vice President.
Erin Arnold, Managing Director, rejoined Sterling in 2020 after having spent time at Sterling in 2013 and 2014. Erin has had an immediate impact in her first year back at the firm and in her role as Board member at Bad Boy Mowers.
Johann Friese, Principal, joined Sterling in 2018. Johann spent the last year embedded in Sterling portfolio company Artisan Design Group as a member of the senior management team, where he successfully established a Project Management Office and drove progress on a variety of initiatives.
Aryan Sameri, Principal, Commercial Diligence and Strategy, joined Sterling in 2019 from McKinsey & Company’s Houston office, and was promoted to lead Sterling’s Commercial Diligence and Strategy group this year.
Jacob Broom, Vice President, joined Sterling in 2017 as a founding member of the Sterling Credit Fund, where he continues to execute a wide variety of sourcing, due diligence and structuring responsibilities.
“We are pleased to recognize these four talented individuals, each of whom embody Sterling’s core values of partnership, passion and discipline,” said Brad Staller, Partner at The Sterling Group.
To learn more about a career at The Sterling Group, please visit www.sterling-group.com/careers/ or contact Claudine Lussier at clussier@sterling-group.com.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 58 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $4.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
March 22, 2021
Fencing Supply Group (“FSG”), the leading wholesale distributor of fencing supplies in the United States, today announced the appointment of Andrea Hogan as CEO.
FSG was formed in early 2021 by The Sterling Group, a middle market private equity firm based in Houston, Texas, through the acquisitions of Merchant Metals and then Binford. Each business is an industry leader in their respective markets, and in combination the companies represent a broader geographic footprint with the opportunity to continue providing best-in-class products and services to their growing customer bases. The FSG model combines local relationships, service, and expertise with national scale and resources for the benefit of customers, employees, and suppliers. FSG businesses serve professional fencing contractors who provide new, improvement, and repair fencing services across residential, industrial, commercial, and infrastructure end markets.
“Andrea brings proven experience in sales, commercial leadership, operational excellence, and supply chain management. These are all things that will make her an exceptional partner for our existing teams, customers and vendors,” said Brian Henry, a Partner at The Sterling Group. Most recently, Andrea was the CEO of Merchants Metals where she joined as CEO in 2015 and led the organization through a complex corporate carve-out, substantial organic growth expansion and a manufacturing consolidation and improvement effort. “Merchants Metals success is driven by a talented and committed team who are always ready for the next challenge. Spend 5 minutes with anyone from Binford and you immediately see intense customer-centric passion. These two teams are well-suited to come together to drive a superior customer experience,” Hogan said. Prior to Merchants Metals, Andrea was Vice President and General Manager of Global Lighting and Solar at WESCO International.
Alongside Andrea will be Kyle Guillot, Jeff Cook, Anna Walker and Josh Griffin. Jeff will continue as President of Binford and will serve as Executive Vice President of M&A and Greenfield for FSG. Kyle will become President of Merchants Metals and serve as Executive Vice President of Supply Chain and Manufacturing for FSG. Anna Walker and Josh Griffin will serve as CFO and Senior Vice President, IT, respectively.
“These are critical leadership roles that will be essential to supporting FSG businesses and their branches. I look forward to their partnership in building the best, most capable and reliable supply chain for our customers. The teams at Binford and Merchant Metals share an uncommon commitment to helping our customers grow their businesses, this combination of talent and tenacity will be formidable,” said Andrea Hogan. “We have the best team in fencing. Andrea, Jeff, Kyle, Anna, and Josh will provide foundational leadership critical to the success of FSG businesses,” added Brian Henry.
January 07, 2021
Artisan Design Group (“ADG”) is pleased to announce the promotion of Doug Davis as President. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ADG is a leading interior finishes provider to the single family and multifamily industry, operating from a national footprint.
As President of ADG and an integral member of the Executive Team, Doug will continue to oversee the national-level sales efforts for ADG, maximize revenue opportunities through product cross-selling, work closely with the leadership of local entities to deliver outstanding customer value, and focus on ADG’s significant growth strategies. Over the last three years as ADG’s Chief Commercial Officer, Doug has successfully implemented sales strategies that leverage ADG’s national relationships, resulting in meaningful contributions to ADG’s growth and profitability. Doug has over 15 years of industry experience including several leadership positions at Mohawk Industries.
“We have no doubt Doug will continue to bring the same passion and energy to this new role as he has to his prior role and we are confident that he will be instrumental in building ADG’s future success. Please join us in congratulating Doug as he takes on new responsibilities at ADG,” said Larry Barr and Wayne Joseph, ADG’s co-CEO.
About Artisan Design Group
Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, ADG operates more than 100 distribution, design and service facilities and coordinates installation through over 1,800 independent contractors across 23 states. ADG was formed in 2016 through the combination of Floors Inc. and Malibu Floors. The company has completed sixteen total acquisitions since its founding in 2016. ADG continues to seek local and regional market leaders to add to its family of flooring, cabinets, and countertops specialists.
December 02, 2020
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity and private credit firm, announced the addition of Jenny Harris as Managing Director of the firm’s Credit Fund.
Jenny brings 15 years of experience evaluating and underwriting debt capital and equity co-investments. Prior to Sterling, Jenny was a Managing Director at BNP Paribas where she led a team focused on providing leveraged credit solutions for private equity sponsors. Jenny and Sterling Credit Fund Partner Sean Davenport worked closely together at BNP Paribas for over eight years and served as important lending partners to Sterling and other middle market sponsors.
The Sterling Group Credit Fund was formed in 2017 to offer both Sterling and other relationship focused sponsors debt capital to help finance and grow middle market businesses.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity and private credit investment firm that targets investments in basic manufacturing, distribution, and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies at initial formation range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 57 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $14.0 billion. Sterling currently has over $4.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
February 20, 2020
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally focused middle market private equity firm, announces the additions of Erin Arnold as Director, and Chris Ahearn as Commercial Operating Partner, as well as the promotions of Steven Hirsch and John Griffin to Principal.
Erin Arnold, Director, rejoins Sterling’s investment team from Madison Dearborn Partners, where she was most recently a Director with the Basic Industries team. Before rejoining the Sterling team this year, Erin worked at The Sterling Group in 2013 and 2014. She has also worked with Boston Consulting Group, Greenbriar Equity Group, and Credit Suisse.
In the role of Commercial Operating Partner, Chris will work to drive commercial operations effectiveness within Sterling portfolio companies. Chris brings many years of commercial operations experience gained at various firms, including RR Donnelly’s Western Division, FedEx Office, TPG Capital’s Operating Group, and most recently Oakwood Worldwide, where he was formerly SVP Sales and Marketing and most recently CEO.
Steven Hirsch, Principal, joined Sterling in 2017 from McKinsey & Company where he focused on strategic and operational topics for transportation, manufacturing and distribution companies. Steven previously held roles in program management and revenue management at American Airlines during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring process.
John Griffin, Principal, joined Sterling in 2018 from McKinsey & Company where he was focused on operational and strategic initiatives for industrial and energy businesses. John also brings experience from Madison Dearborn Partners where he worked across Basic Industries, Business & Government Services, and Financial Services verticals.
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 56 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $10.0 billion. Currently, Sterling has over $2.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
November 18, 2019
The Sterling Group, a Houston-based, operationally-focused middle-market private equity firm, announces the addition of Nathaniel Reeve, Kern Vijayvargiya, both Vice Presidents, Jared Bell and Joe Cueter, both Associates. In addition, Christine Shtepani has joined the firm as a Senior Associate, Sourcing and Abby Russell has joined as an Associate focused on Investor Relations. Each new hire shares a passion for building industrial businesses, and we welcome them to the Sterling team.
Nathaniel Reeve
Vice President
Nate joins Sterling after graduating from Harvard Business School. Previously, he was Director of FP&A at Warby Parker.
Portfolio Companies: Polychem
Kern Vijayvargiya
Vice President
Kern joins from Tiger Global Management where he was focused on analyzing investments in the technology and consumer sectors. Kern received an M.B.A from The Wharton School.
Portfolio Companies: Highline
Christine Shtepani
Senior Associate, Sourcing
Prior to Sterling, Christine was an Associate on the Leveraged Finance team at J.P. Morgan focusing on acquisition financing, leveraged high yield debt originations for regional diversified middle market and corporate clients.
Abby Russell
Associate, Investor Relations
Abby joins Sterling from Evercore where she focused on advising clients in the energy industry on mergers and acquisitions. Abby is also a licensed CPA in the State of Texas.
Jared Bell
Associate
Jared joins from Credit Suisse, where he focused on mergers, acquisitions, and high yield financings for companies across the energy industry.
Portfolio Companies: Tangent and Highline
Joe Cueter
Associate
Joe joins Sterling from Harris Williams, where he focused on advising clients in the helathcare and life sciences industry on mergers and acquisitions. Joe is a Certified Public Accountant.
Portfolio Companies: Time and DexKo
About The Sterling Group
Founded in 1982, The Sterling Group is a private equity investment firm that targets controlling interests in basic manufacturing, distribution and industrial services companies. Typical enterprise values of these companies range from $100 million to $750 million. Sterling has sponsored the buyout of 55 platform companies and numerous add-on acquisitions for a total transaction value of over $10.0 billion. Currently, Sterling has over $2.0 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit www.sterling-group.com.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results and all investments are subject to loss.
The Sterling Group is an operationally focused middle market private equity firm that builds winning businesses for customers, employees and investors.
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