Chris joined Sterling in December of 2019 as Operating Partner, Commercial. Previously Chris was the CEO of Oakwood Worldwide. Prior to Oakwood, Chris was a Senior Advisor with TPG Capital’s operations team for seven years building out the firm’s Salesforce effectiveness and commercial operations capabilities.
Jim joined Sterling in 2013 to lead the firm’s sourcing efforts. Jim spent the first 15 years of his professional career assisting Fortune 500 companies with industrial site location needs across the southeastern US. Jim translated this experience, identifying the most important factors for a business’ success in a new facility, into a consultative approach to investment banking at Morgan Keegan and Raymond James. For eleven years, Jim has helped families and entrepreneurs, primarily in the industrial sector, 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. Jim received a B.A. in Economics & International Studies from Rhodes College.
Erin rejoined Sterling in 2020 from Madison Dearborn Partners, where she was most recently a Director with the Basic Industries team. Previously, she was with The Boston Consulting Group, The Sterling Group and Greenbriar Equity Group. Erin began her career at Credit Suisse in investment banking. Erin received a B.A. in Plan II Honors from the University of Texas, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, and an MBA from Harvard Business School, graduating as a George F. Baker Scholar.
L&S Mechanical, Bad Boy Mowers
Jack joined Sterling in 2021. Prior to Sterling, he worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Lazard, where he focused on M&A, capital markets and restructuring transactions across the Energy, Infrastructure and Power sectors. Jack graduated from Indiana University with a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from the Kelley School of Business.
Artisan Design Group
Brandon joined Sterling in 2018 as Chief Financial Officer. He is responsible for all financial management aspects of the firm, as well as advising the firm’s portfolio company CFOs on certain financial issues and transactions. Previously, Brandon was Chief Financial Officer at Parkman Whaling, an energy focused boutique merchant bank. Prior to Parkman Whaling, he served as Chief Financial Officer of ESS Funds, a private equity firm focused on providing growth capital to the energy industry, with a focus on small and mid-sized businesses, ventures and projects. Brandon began his career in the Investment Management division at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Brandon received an MBA from Rice University and a BBA in Finance from Fort Hays State University. He is a CFA Charterholder and Certified Public Accountant. Brandon serves on the Board of the Ronald McDonald House Houston, an organization that provides a “home away from home” for families of sick children receiving medical treatment in the Texas Medical Center.
Jared joined Sterling in 2019. Prior to Sterling, he was an Analyst at Credit Suisse, where he focused on mergers, acquisitions, and high yield financings for companies across the energy industry. Jared is a graduate of Brigham Young University, with a B.S. in Finance from the Marriott School of Business.
Evergreen Recycling, Greenbridge, Tangent Technologies, Highline Aftermarket
Jacob joined Sterling in 2017 as a member of the Sterling Credit Fund. Many of Jacob’s previous career experiences revolve around private credit. He began his career in Deloitte’s business valuation group, before moving to the restructuring group within Houlihan Lokey where he focused on distressed M&A and special situations for middle-market debtors and creditors in the industrial manufacturing, food, consumer, and oilfield services industries. Prior to Sterling, Jacob was a Senior Analyst at EF Capital, a family office, where he performed due diligence and portfolio management for private equity and junior debt financings. Jacob received a B.B.A in finance and accounting, cum laude, with departmental honors in finance from Texas Christian University.
James joined Sterling in 2021. Prior to Sterling, he worked as an Investment Banking Analyst with Wells Fargo Securities in New York, where he focused on mergers & acquisitions and capital raising activities for companies in the Transportation & Logistics sector. James is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce.
Bad Boy Mowers
Maria joined Sterling in 2021. Previously, she worked at Oliver Wyman in New York, where she focused on strategic and operational initiatives for healthcare, industrial, and financial services companies. Maria received a B.A. in mathematics from Colgate University.
Sean joined Sterling as a Partner in 2017 after having spent the last 16 years as Sterling’s lead lender in his prior role as Managing Director in the Merchant Banking Group at BNP Paribas. Sean was involved in financing nearly every Sterling investment since 2001. Over the course of his career at BNP, Sean cultivated close relationships with sponsors that spanned many years and multiple transactions. Sean and Sterling shared the same philosophy: that sponsors and lenders should partner together to build winning businesses, achieving the best possible returns for all parties. In 2017, Sterling and Sean formed the Sterling Credit Fund to offer both Sterling and other sponsors a mezzanine and second lien lending partner that subscribed to this philosophy. Sean is an expert at originating, structuring and executing senior and subordinated debt instruments and equity co-investments in the middle market and has underwritten over $13 billion of senior, mezzanine and second lien debt and made over $80 million of equity co-investments. Sean received a B.B.A. from the University of Arkansas and an M.B.A. from the M.J. McNeely School of Business at Texas Christian University.
Greg started his career in investment banking at Merrill Lynch, but it wasn’t long before he set his sights on a job at Sterling. Greg first joined Sterling in 1994, leaving briefly for business school, before returning to continue driving fundamental changes at some of Sterling’s pre-fund investments. Greg also spent time as a Partner at the CapStreet Group, where he worked on several successful industry consolidations, including Sprint Industrial, Advanced Data Processing, Jackson Products and Trajen, an FBO network. When Trajen was sold to Macquarie, Greg followed his passion for operations and building companies, leaving private equity to form a new FBO network. He and the management team built Encore Aviation which was merged with Landmark Aviation. Greg remained on the board of Landmark but rejoined Sterling in 2008 and chairs the firm’s Sourcing Committee. Greg received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.B.A. from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College.
West Star Aviation, L&S Mechanical, Frontline Road Safety, Polychem Corporation, Lynx FBO Network, ProcessBarron, Safe Fleet, Liqui-Box, Velcon Filters
Johann joined Sterling in 2018. Previously, he worked as an Associate in the Frankfurt office of Advent International, pursuing investments in the industrial and consumer and retail sectors. Johann started his career as an analyst in J.P. Morgan’s investment bank, focusing on M&A and capital markets transactions across North America and Europe. Johann received a Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Mannheim in Germany and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
PowerGrid Services, Artisan Design Group, ProcessBarron, DexKo
Anu joined Sterling in 2019 as Vice President, Fund Accounting. Previously, she was a Director in the Private Equity Operations and Fund Administration division at Blue River Partners LLC, where she established and managed the Houston office and served several clients within the alternative asset management industry. Prior to Blue River, she was an Assurance Senior Manager at PwC and spent ten years serving clients in the financial services sector, with a concentration in asset management. Anu graduated with honors from the University of Houston with a M.S. and B.B.A. in Accountancy and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
JR joined Sterling in 2020. Prior to Sterling, he worked as an Investment Banking Analyst with Morgan Stanley where he focused on advising clients across the Energy sector on mergers and acquisitions. JR graduated from Baylor University with a B.B.A. in Finance from the Hankamer School of Business. As an undergraduate, JR served as an Analyst with the Baylor Angel Network where he analyzed more than 75 early-stage companies seeking capital.
West Star Aviation, Frontline Road Safety, Lynx FBO Network
John joined Sterling in 2018 from McKinsey & Company’s Houston office where he was an Engagement Manager focused on strategy and operational initiatives for industrial and energy businesses. Previously he worked at Madison Dearborn Partners on investments in the Industrials, Business Services, and Financial Services sectors. John received a B.S. in Systems Engineering and Mathematics from the University of Virginia, and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management and M.S. from the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University.
West Star Aviation, Fencing Supply Group, Tangent Technologies, Lynx FBO Network, Evergreen North America, Saxco International
Jenny joined Sterling in 2020, bringing 15 years of experience evaluating and underwriting debt capital and equity co-investments. She has underwritten over $11 billion of senior, second lien, mezzanine and equity co-investments. Jenny joins Sterling from BNP Paribas where she was a Managing Director responsible for the Southwest US Merchant Banking office and led a team focused on providing leveraged credit solutions for private equity sponsors. Jenny and Credit Fund Partner Sean Davenport were partnered in their efforts at BNP Paribas for over eight years, providing unique team continuity, as well as complementary skill sets, relationships and experience. During Jenny’s tenure at BNP Paribas, Jenny was the lead lender to the majority of Sterling’s portfolio company financings since 2010. In addition, her expertise in originating, structuring and executing senior and subordinated debt and equity co-investments resulted in close, long term relationships with a wide variety of sponsors who share Sterling’s partnership lending philosophy. Jenny received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas.
John joined Sterling in 1992 after graduating from business school. He has been involved in every aspect of Sterling’s business over his 25 years with the firm including recruiting much of the current team, overseeing the firm’s transition from a fundless sponsor, and driving the firm to excellence in all areas of core competencies. Prior to business school, John was on the professional staff of Arthur Andersen & Co. He received a B.S.B.A. in accounting from the University of Tennessee and an M.B.A. with honors from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University.
PowerGrid Services, Bad Boy Mowers, Tangent Technologies, Lynx FBO Network, Highline Aftermarket, Specified Air Solutions, Saxco International, Liqui-Box, B&G Crane, Velcon Filters, North American Energy Partners, BTEC Turbines and Exopack
Brian joined Sterling in 2008. Brian co-leads the firm’s Improvement Committee, which drives best practices and continuous improvement in Sterling’s value creation model. He was involved in or led Sterling’s investments in Roofing Supply Group, B&G Crane, Saxco International, Stackpole, SafeFleet, Construction Supply Group (Chairman), Artisan Design Group, Tangent Technologies (Chairman), Fencing Supply Group (Chairman) and White Cap. Brian spent the first decade of his career driving operational improvements at Siemens, Motorola and Amphenol. In addition, he worked in the investment banking division of UBS. Brian received an M.B.A with concurrent Masters in Industrial Engineering and Operations Research from the University of Texas and a B.S. in mechanical engineering.
Fencing Supply Group, Artisan Design Group, Tangent Technologies, Construction Supply Group, Safe Fleet, Saxco International, Stackpole, B&G Crane, Roofing Supply Group
Steven joined Sterling in 2017. Previously, he was an Engagement Manager in McKinsey & Company’s Dallas office, where he focused on strategic and operational topics for transportation and distribution companies. Steven previously held roles in marketing and revenue management at American Airlines during the Chapter 11 bankruptcy & restructuring process. Steven received a B.B.A. and an M.P.A. in accounting from The University of Texas and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Construction Supply Group, Time Manufacturing, Specified Air Solutions, DexKo
Chryl has been associated with The Sterling Group since 1986. From 1991 until rejoining Sterling full-time in 2005, she provided support for Gary Rosenthal in his various roles with Hydrochem Industrial Services, AXIA, Wheatley TXT Corp and Heaney Rosenthal Inc. Chryl attended Rice University and studied Managerial Studies and Sociology.
Annie joined Sterling in 2021 from Waste Connections. During her time there, she was an Internal Auditor who performed SOX testing to assess the effectiveness of the Company’s risk management, control, and governance. After a year and half, she was promoted into Corporate Accounting, and maintained the financials such as the budgets, forecasts, and the P&L statement for the Corporate division. Prior to Waste Connections, she was an External Auditor at Carr, Riggs & Ingram and performed financial statement audits and 401k audits for multiple industries, including non-profit organizations. Annie received her Bachelor of Accounting and Master of Accounting at Louisiana State University.
Franny joined Sterling in 2010 to lead the firm’s fundraising and investor relations efforts. Franny brings experience from the Private Wealth Management Groups of Morgan Stanley and Lehman Brothers in New York, where she was responsible for fundraising, asset allocation, manager selection and investor relations for family offices and foundations. Franny received a B.A. in Art History from Princeton University.
Andrea joined Sterling in 2022. Prior to joining Sterling, she worked at ConocoPhillips in corporate FP&A, supporting budgeting, planning, and project management for global IT. Andrea graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas with a B.B.A. in Finance and Supply Chain Management and a minor in Economics from the Walton College of Business.
Eugenia joined Sterling in 2021 from Amazon, where she worked as an HR Generalist supporting 5000 employees at a fulfillment center in the Houston Area. She also has experience in the Oil and Gas industry, having worked for TechnipFMC as an HR Coordinator. Eugenia graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Psychology, and is fluent in Spanish as she was born and raised in Venezuela.
Max joined Sterling in 2015 as the firm’s first in-house legal counsel. Prior to Sterling, Max worked in the private equity groups of Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Ropes & Gray LLP, where his practice focused on representing private equity firms and strategic investors in leveraged buyouts, minority investments, public and private mergers, acquisitions and divestitures and other general corporate matters. Max received a B.A. with honors in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a J.D. with honors from the Emory University School of Law.
Meghan joined Sterling in 2022 from White Deer Energy where she was a Principal focused on investing in products and services businesses in the energy, industrials and infrastructure end markets. Previously she was with Crestview Partners and Citigroup. Meghan received a B.B.A. from the University of Texas, graduating Beta Gamma Sigma, and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business.
Daniel joined Sterling in 2021 from Prime Natural Resources, a private equity firm fully backed by Elliott Management, where he worked as an Analyst. There he pursued investments in the energy and industrial sectors. As an undergraduate, Daniel summered at Bain & Company. Daniel graduated with honors from The University of Texas at Austin, with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Computational Science.
PowerGrid Services, Frontline Road Safety
Amanda joined Sterling in 2021 as Tax Manager. She started her career with PwC in their Houston, TX office as part of the Financial Services Tax Group with a focus of providing asset and wealth management services to private equity fund clients. Amanda graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University, Mays Business School in the Professional Program of Accounting with a M.S. in Finance and a B.B.A in Accounting and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Texas.
Claudine joined Sterling in 2017 to lead Human Capital. She is responsible for developing and implementing people and talent management strategies at Sterling, as well as working across the firm’s portfolio to help drive growth through comprehensive people strategies and the identification and acquisition of talent. Claudine joins the firm from Jacobs Engineering Group in Houston where she was the head of Human Resources for the Petroleum and Chemicals businesses and was responsible for approximately 5,000 employees in several U.S. locations, Canada and Mexico. Prior to this, she led human resources planning and recruitment at Emerson Electric Canada Limited. She has lived and worked in Canada and the United States and has 13 years of human resources experience. Claudine holds a Bachelor of Management, with a major in human resources from the University of Lethbridge in Calgary, Canada.
In the role of Operating Partner, Jud works closely with Sterling’s investment professionals and portfolio management teams to drive growth and build capabilities for Sterling portfolio companies. Jud brings over 25 years of operations experience gained in various roles, as an engineer and project manager at ExxonMobil, operations transformation leader at McKinsey & Company, general manager at Valerus Compression Services, and most recently as a Director of TPG Capital‘s Operating Group. In his role as the Chair of Sterling’s Operations Committee, Jud leads internal continuous improvement in the operational value creation process. Jud received bachelor’s degrees in electrical engineering and Plan II Liberal Arts Honors at the University of Texas and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management.
Scott joined Sterling in 2014 from The Boston Consulting Group where he focused on operational improvement initiatives for industrial and energy companies. Prior to entering the private sector, Scott was a Ranger qualified officer in the United States Army where he led a scout platoon during the troop surge in Iraq, and later served as a company commander in charge of 120 personnel. Scott’s first investment at Sterling was American Bath Group, a turnaround effort and industry consolidation in the bathware manufacturing industry. Scott embedded with the company for a year, using his experience leading teams and driving operational change to completely transform the company’s transportation and logistics program, as well as executing four strategic acquisitions. Scott received a B.S. in Economics from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the Wharton School.
West Star Aviation, Evergreen Recycling, Greenbridge, Lynx FBO Network, Evergreen North America, Highline Aftermarket, American Bath Group
Jared joined Sterling in 2022 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. Jared graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Finance.
Roy joined Sterling in 2021 from Blue Sea Capital, a middle market private equity firm focused on the industrials sector, where he was an Associate. Prior to that, Roy was an Analyst at Raymond James’ Diversified Industrials Group, where he focused on mergers & acquisitions and financings. Roy is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, with a B.A. in Economics.
Nate joined Sterling in 2019. Previously, he was Director of FP&A at Warby Parker over a period in which the company scaled revenue 10x and significantly increased profitability. He started his career as a strategy consultant at Monitor Group in New York, focusing on the consumer and industrial sectors. He received a B.A. as a double major in History and Political Science from Yale, where he was a 4-year member of the Varsity Heavyweight Crew, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Frontline Road Safety, Polychem Corporation
Gary has been associated with Sterling as a Partner or operating executive since 1987. After clerking for a Federal appeals court judge, Gary practiced law as a Partner at Vinson & Elkins. However, he wanted to run, not counsel, businesses. His first operating role was as a member of the senior management team at Cain Chemical, the 1987 Sterling investment comprised of 7 world scale ethylene and derivative plants carved-out from 5 sellers in multiple closings. The resulting billion dollar plus entity was effectively built from the ground up and provided a unique opportunity for operational improvements, lean administration, and strong revenue and margin growth. Gary was a driving force in Cain Chemical’s creation, operation, and subsequent highly profitable sale. Gary then joined Sterling as a Partner. Subsequently, he took on numerous operating roles including Executive Chairman of HydroChem and Chief Executive Officer of AXIA, both prior Sterling investments, as well as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of publicly held Wheatley TXT Corp. and as Executive Chairman of privately held Diamond Products International. Gary rejoined Sterling in 2005. He has continued to bring his many years of transactional and management experience to acquiring and transforming Sterling portfolio platforms. Gary is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard College and of Harvard Law School and was the Charles Henry Fiske Scholar at Trinity College, Cambridge University.
Evergreen Recycling, Greenbridge, Highline Aftermarket, Safe Fleet, CST Industries, Stackpole International, BTEC Turbines and Hudson Products, with management roles at HydroChem, AXIA, and Cain Chemical
Aryan joined Sterling in 2019 from McKinsey & Company’s Houston office, where he was an Engagement Manager focused on strategy and operational improvement initiatives across both B2B and B2C businesses – including those in the industrials, energy, and retail sectors. A Houston native, Aryan received a B.A. in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from Rice University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Christine joined Sterling in 2019. Prior to Sterling, Christine was an Associate on the Leveraged Finance team at J.P. Morgan in Houston focusing on acquisition financing, leveraged and high yield debt originations for regional diversified middle market and corporate clients. Christine graduated with honors from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Arts in International Economics and Development.
Staten joined Sterling in 2019. Prior to joining Sterling, she worked at Deloitte Tax, LLP in Houston in the Investment Management sector where she focused on mid-market and large private equity clients. Staten graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s in Accountancy, a Master’s of Accountancy and a minor in Finance.
Brad started his career in investment banking with Goldman Sachs, followed by a transition to private equity with Capital Royalty. Brad joined Sterling full time after graduating from business school in 2008. Since joining Sterling, Brad has had the opportunity to leverage his transaction execution experience with a strong interest in strategy, operations, and human capital. Brad played a fundamental role in driving Sterling towards a set of best practices for company evaluation and transaction execution, and now oversees the firm’s Human Capital committee. Brad received a B.B.A. in Finance and Business Honors from the University of Texas, and an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.
Frontline Road Safety, Time Manufacturing, ProcessBarron, Specified Air Solutions, Express, Universal Fiber Systems and Velcon Filters
John Henry joined Sterling in 2020. Prior to Sterling, he worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at Moelis & Company, where he focused on M&A, capital markets and restructuring transactions across the Energy, Infrastructure and Chemicals sectors. John Henry received a B.S. and an M.S. in Management Science & Engineering from Stanford University.
L&S Mechanical, Fencing Supply Group, Construction Supply Group, DexKo
Heather joined Sterling in January 2017. She currently provides support for Legal and Compliance, Strategy and Commercial Diligence and various Investment Professionals. Heather received her B.B.A in Business Management, cum laude from the University of Houston-Downtown.
Aaditya joined Sterling in 2021. Prior to Sterling, he worked as an investment banking analyst with Citigroup in New York where he focused on advising clients on mergers and acquisitions and capital raising activities across the Diversified Industrials and Aerospace & Defense sectors. Aaditya graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the Terry College of Business.
White Cap, Evergreen North America
Patrick joined Sterling in 2021. Previously, he worked as Operations Supervisor for ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, where he drove multiple operational excellence initiatives. Patrick started his career with ExxonMobil in their pipeline engineering group, where he held various roles, with responsibilities including project management and engineering supervision. Patrick received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, graduating as a George F. Baker Scholar.
West Star Aviation, Evergreen North America
Kent joined Sterling in 2001 after graduating from business school. Kent has been involved with Sterling investments totaling in excess of $3.0 billion in total enterprise value during his 19 years at the firm. Kent also has strategic oversight of the firm’s lending relationships, many of which have worked with Sterling over several decades. Prior to business school, Kent managed an energy loan portfolio at Long-Term Credit Bank. Kent started his career at Coopers & Lybrand. Kent received a B.B.A. and an M.P.A. in accounting from the University of Texas and an M.B.A. with honors from the Graduate School of Business at the University of Chicago.
PowerGrid Services, Bad Boy Mowers, Artisan Design Group, Time Manufacturing, Evergreen North America, DexKo, Saxco International, B&G Crane, Stackpole International, Universal Fiber Systems, Hudson Products, Panolam Industries, Propex and North American Energy Partners
Annika joined Sterling in 2019 as the Management Company Controller. Annika joined Sterling from Trussway Manufacturing, LLC where she served as Assistant Controller. She started her career in Ernst & Young’s assurance practice. Annika is a Texas CPA. She received a B.B.A. in Accounting, with honors, and M.S. in Accounting from Texas A&M University.
Carsten joined Sterling in 2021, bringing over 20 years of technology experience in various leadership roles in both industry and consulting, including most recently as Director of PMO and ERP Transformation at Enbridge. In his role as Technology Director, Carsten will be leading the technology value creation across the firm’s portfolio. Carsten received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from St. Mary’s University and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas, San Antonio.
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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