|
Baird Private Equity is one of the only private equity firms with the breadth and depth of global experience and resources focused on smaller, high potential companies. The Baird Private Equity team includes over 60 investment and operating professionals operating in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Baird Private Equity is sector-focused with deep industry knowledge and a successful 20-year track record of investing in Business Services, Manufactured Products and Healthcare companies. Over 30 investment professionals in the United States, Europe and Asia are complemented by operating partners and senior advisors. Our dedicated team of over 15 operating professionals in China and India allow us to provide our portfolio companies with unique access to Asia sales/distribution, sourcing and manufacturing opportunities. Learn more about us below.
Baird Capital Partners is also supported by a Business Services Advisory Board and a Manufactured Products Advisory Board.
|
|
|
|
Managing Partner
312-609-5498
Gordon is the Managing Partner of Baird Capital. Gordon concentrates on acquisition opportunities in the Industrial and Consumer Products sector with a particular focus in consumer and healthcare companies. Gordon serves as the Chairman of the Investment Committee for Baird's U.S. Private Equity and Venture Capital groups. Gordon also oversees Baird's Asia operations team, which provides manufacturing, sales and distribution support to portfolio companies in Asia.
Prior to joining Baird, he served as a principal with One Equity Partners. Gordon was also the founder and CEO of The Pangaea Group, an international consulting firm, which specialized in assisting the portfolio companies of private equity firms to establish strategic alliances in China.
Gordon currently serves on the Board of Directors of Backyard Leisure Holdings, Ellman International, Medical Education Technologies, Inc., NAC Marketing, Inc (New Vitality) and Baird Asia Limited.
Gordon earned a BA in Economics and Asian Studies from Colgate University, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, with a concentration in Finance and Management Strategy.
|
|
|
|
|
Partner
312-609-4702
Andrew Brickman focuses on acquisition opportunities in the Industrial and Consumer Products sector focusing specifically on industrial and commercial companies. Prior to joining Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team in 1998, Andrew served as Vice President of Operations and Manufacturing for a regional retail chain. Andrew's operations background is complemented by considerable financial investment experience at a number of private equity investment firms. He is a director of Digi-Star, Justrite, The Mayline Group and MedPlast Holdings, Inc. Andrew received his BA from Middlebury College, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, with highest honors.
|
|
|
|
|
Partner
414-765-3818
Randy is a Partner with Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team focused on investments in the Business Services and Healthcare Services sectors. He is currently a board member of Myelin, Harris Research, MedData Corporation, Accume Partners, and American Auto Auction Group.
Prior to joining Baird Capital, Randy was Managing Director in the Equity Research department at Robert W. Baird & Co. He covered several companies in the areas of outsourcing and professional services, and was ranked highly for thought leadership by various surveys and publications, including Bloomberg, Institutional Investor, The Wall Street Journal and Forbes. He was also named to the Business Journal's "Forty Under 40" list in 2006. Prior to joining Baird, he was a Senior consultant at Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), with the Financial Services and Aerospace & Defense Groups.
Randy holds an MBA, with Honors, from the University of Chicago, and is a Chair Scholar graduate of Bowling Green State University. Randy is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
|
|
|
|
|
Partner
414-765-7348
Dave focuses on acquisitions and late-stage growth investments in the Business Services sector. He joined Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team in 1994 as a Partner and has led several investments. Dave has served as a member of the Boards of Directors of 18 BC portfolio companies, including his current directorships at Accume Partners and Flatirons Solutions.
Prior to Baird, Dave spent nine years making mezzanine and equity investments as a Partner at Fiduciary Capital and as an Investment Officer at Northwestern Mutual.
Dave holds a BA and MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and he is a Chartered Financial Analyst.
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
312-609-5495
Tom Costello is a Principal with Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team, focused on Business Services. Prior to joining Baird Capital in 2007, Tom spent four years with Chicago Growth Partners, a private equity firm in Chicago, where he sourced, evaluated and structured business service transactions in the middle market. Before Chicago Growth Partners, he spent two years as an investment banking analyst at Lehman Brothers Inc. in Chicago. Tom received a BA in Economics from the University of Chicago and an MBA from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
312-609-4661
Aaron Lillybridge focuses on investment opportunities with a particular focus on healthcare companies. Prior to joining Baird Capital’s U.S. Private Equity team in 2005, Aaron was with Galen Partners, a healthcare focused private equity firm in New York. Before Galen, Aaron was with the investment banking group at Piper Jaffray, completing numerous equity financings and merger and acquisition transactions in the medical device space. He received a BA from the University of Washington and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Aaron is a member of the Board of Directors of Ellman International, Inc. and PARTNERS + Simons Group LLC and is actively involved with other Baird Capital portfolio companies, including New Vitality, PharMedium Healthcare and MedData. Aaron is also a founding officer of the Healthcare Private Equity Association (HCPEA) and an officer of the Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA).
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
312-609-4671
Gordon focuses on investment opportunities in the Consumer Products sector. Prior to joining Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team in 2008, Gordon was a founding member of Reliant Equity Investors focused on buyouts in the lower middle-market. Before Reliant, Gordon was with Wind Point Partners, a Chicago based middle-market private equity firm, and divine, Inc., a publicly traded internet incubator. Gordon started his career with Merrill Lynch in their investment banking group. Currently, Gordon is actively involved with Baird Capital portfolio companies Eckler's, Backyard Discovery, New Vitality and Qualitor. Additionally, he is a founding Board member of the Association of Asian American Investment Managers (AAAIM), an officer of the auxiliary board of the Goodman Theatre, and a Board Director of The Chicago Sinfonietta.
Gordon received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, graduating with Highest Honors and as a recipient of the Bronze Tablet. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was a Toigo Fellow.
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President
312-609-5491
Alex focuses on investment opportunities in the Business Services and Industrial/Commercial Products sectors. Prior to joining Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team in 2011, Alex was a Senior Associate with Willis Stein & Partners, a middle-market private equity firm focused on buyouts in the business services, consumer services, education and manufactured products sectors. Before Willis Stein, Alex was with Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. in the technology, media and telecom investment banking group. Alex was also a co-founder of Lincoln Renewable Energy, a successful renewable energy development platform. Currently, Alex is actively involved with Baird Capital portfolio companies MedPlast Holdings, Inc., Justrite and PARTNERS + Simons Group LLC.
Alex is actively involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters Chicago and serves on the NorthShore University HealthSystem Associate Board. Alex received a B.S. from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, graduating with Distinction and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Finance, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Management.
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Associate
312-609-4663
John focuses on investment opportunities in the Business Services, Industrial and Consumer Products sectors. Prior to joining Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team in 2007, John worked as an investment banking analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and equity and debt offerings. John is actively involved with The Cara Program and has served as an Education Pioneers Fellow. John holds a BA from the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, where he graduated with Honors with an emphasis in English Literature. John was awarded his MPA from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
|
|
|
|
|
Associate
312-609-4690
James Lowe joined Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team in 2011 as a member of the Industrial and Consumer Products team. Prior to joining Baird Capital, James was an investment banking analyst with JPMorgan Securities Inc., focusing on mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity for industrial and natural resources clients. His responsibilities included detailed financial analysis and valuation, deal execution, preparation of marketing documents, due diligence and industry and company research. James graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a concentration in Finance.
|
|
|
|
|
Associate
312-609-4673
Donnacha O’Sullivan is an Associate with Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity's team focusing on investment opportunities in the Industrial and Consumer Products and Healthcare sectors. Prior to joining Baird Capital, Donnacha was an investment banking analyst at Piper Jaffray, focusing on mergers and acquisitions and debt and equity offerings for healthcare clients. His responsibilities included financial analysis and valuation, deal execution, due diligence and industry and company research. Donnacha received his bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, graduating with High Honors.
|
|
|
|
|
Associate
312-609-4741
Sean Wieland is an Associate with Baird Capital's U.S. Private Equity team focusing on investment opportunities in the Business Services and Healthcare Services sectors. Prior to joining Baird Capital in 2010, Sean was an analyst in Baird’s investment banking department in Chicago where he focused on Business Services mergers and acquisitions and equity offerings. Sean graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, earning a BBA in Finance.
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Partner
312-609-4700
Mohan is an Operating Partner with Baird Capital. Mohan works with the team to source and evaluate new investment opportunities and contribute value-added operating experience to portfolio companies. Prior to joining Baird Capital, Mohan worked at Apple as a Vice President reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, where he led a team focused on establishing offshore operations in India and Eastern Europe. Prior to Apple, Mohan was Vice President and Managing Director of Dell International Services, where he was responsible for establishing and rapidly scaling Dell’s India operations. Within a two-year period, Mohan launched and grew Dell’s India operation to over 6,400 employees in three cities and four campuses. He also previously served as Vice President of Customer Experience for Dell’s Americas business unit, and held high-level, executive roles at Cummins Engine, Honeywell and Xerox. Mohan earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Minnesota.
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Partner
312-609-4700
Bob Dods is a member of the Board of Directors of Baird's Asia Operations team. He served as RC2 Corporation's (NASDAQ: RCRC) Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board from April 1996 through December 2002. Bob continues to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of RC2. He co-founded Racing Champions, Inc. ("RCI"), RC2's predecessor, along with Peter Chung and Boyd Meyer in 1989. Prior to founding RCI, Bob and Boyd Meyer owned and operated Dods-Meyer, Ltd., a manufacturers' representative agency that focused on selling products to mass merchants. He began doing business in Asia in the late 1970s. Bob is a non-executive Chairman of Hygenic Corp, director of Qualitor and director of Advanced Equities.
|
|
|
|
|
Operating Partner
312-609-4600
Harry D. Schulman joined Baird Capital as an Operating Partner with more than 30 years experience in consumer products, including 20 years of Asian sourcing and manufacturing experience. Harry was previously President and CEO of Applica, a then publicly traded company that markets and distributes a wide range of small appliances for use in and outside the home. Applica markets products under licensed brand names such as Black & Decker®, company-owned brand names such as LittermaidTM, a product targeting the pet industry, Belson Professional®, leading personal care products, and private label brand names. Upon becoming Chairman and CEO, Harry increased shareholder value by over 100% within 2 years, and eventually executed an industry consolidation strategy which resulted in the sale of the company to a major private equity firm at 18 times EBITDA. Harry brings extensive operations, consumer product and Asian manufacturing experience to the Baird portfolio. Harry received his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from University of Dayton and earned his MBA from the University of Miami.
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Hodges
Operating Partner
312-609-4700
Mark joined Baird Capital as an Operating Partner with more than 20 years of experience in business process outsourcing. (BPO). Mark is an acknowledged pioneer of BPO, and was responsible for a research paper which coined the term in 1989. Currently, Mark is the Founder and CEO of Hodges Advisory, LLC, a built-for-purpose advisory firm that counsels founders and their companies on high growth and liquidity alternatives.
Prior to Hodges Advisory, Mark served as Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board for EquaTerra, Inc. the global leader in outsourcing and shared services advisory services. Prior to EquaTerra, he served as Managing Partner of Strategy, Corporate Development and BPO Practice for TPI, Inc. Before TPI, Mark was the Vice President of Strategy & Corporate Development at Exult, Inc. Prior to joining Exult, Mark was the Worldwide Director of Gartner’s Dataquest IT Services (ITO and BPO) Vendor Group, and before Gartner, Mr. Hodges served as the Chief Operating Officer of G2 Research, Inc. (G2R), where he spent 11 years before it sold to Gartner in January 1999. Mark received his bachelor's degree in Political Economies of Industrial Societies (Economics and Political Science) from the University of California at Berkeley.
|
|
|
|
|
David Schroeder
Operating Partner
312-609-4700
Dave joined Baird Capital as an Operating Partner with more than 22 years of P & L leadership in multinational, public and private organizations. David is Principal of Corvus Advisors, where he provides providing executive level support in business planning and measurement, change management and strategy formulation. His extensive previous experience includes roles as President and CEO of Intermatic, Inc. in Spring Grove Il., Group Vice President and then Senior Vice President and CFO of Brady Corp. in Milwaukee, WI. and President and CEO of Uniroyal Plastics Co. in Mishawaka, Ind. Dave received his bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and earned his MBA from the University of Michigan.
|
|
|
|
|
Chief Operating Officer
312-609-4664
Scott is Chief Operating Officer for Baird Capital. Prior to joining Baird in 2005, Scott served as Chief Financial Officer for LaSalle Capital Group, a Chicago-based middle-market private equity firm. In addition, Scott has worked extensively as a service provider to private equity firms as a member of Ernst & Young's Transaction Advisory Services group. Scott's experience also includes commercial banking and audit. Scott received his MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
|
|
|
|
|
Partner,
Portfolio Operations
312-609-4930
Rob Ospalik is a Partner with Baird Capital. He is responsible for Baird Capital's Portfolio Operations program. He joined Baird Capital in 1999 after two years in Baird’s Investment Banking Group. Rob previously served as a Certified Public Accountant at the Price Waterhouse LLP audit and business advisory services practice in St. Louis. He is a director of Pentagon Technologies Group, and graduated with a BS in Accounting from Washington University in St. Louis.
Rob also serves on the Board of Directors for the Old Town School of Folk Music.
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President,
Portfolio Operations
312-609-5423
Roberto Ferranti is a member of Baird Capital’s Portfolio Operations team and focuses on driving strategies to build value in Baird Capital Partners’ portfolio companies. Prior to joining Baird Capital, Roberto was a Vice President in the Corporate Recovery Group of Mesirow Financial Consulting, where he focused on identifying and implementing operational improvements initiatives for companies in a variety of industries. Prior to that Roberto served as a Manager in the Private Equity group of Kurt Salmon Associates, and as a Vice President in the Performance Improvement group at AlixPartners. A native of Italy, Roberto is fluent in English, Italian and French. Roberto graduated with a BA in Economics and Social Sciences from Bocconi University in Milan, Italy and received an MBA from the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.
|
|
|
|
|
Tom Smith
Vice President,
Portfolio Operations
312-609-5482
Tom is a Vice President of Fund Management within Baird Capital's Portfolio Operations Team. As a member of Baird Capital, Smith’s main responsibilities include portfolio monitoring, analysis and valuation. Prior to joining Baird Captital in 2012, Smith spent six years in KPMG’s Transaction Services department providing financial due diligence services for private equity and corporate clients, with focus on buy-side acquisitions. Smith’s previous experience also includes audit and internal control compliance. He graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with bachelor’s degrees in Finance and Accounting.
|
|
|
|
|
Partner, Investor Relations
312-609-4677
Aaron is a Partner with Baird Capital, managing Baird Capital's relationships with current and prospective investors in the United States, Europe and Asia and overseeing its business development, communication, sales and marketing activities. Aaron is also involved in broader strategic and new product development initiatives. Aaron joined Baird Capital in 2008 and has thirteen years of private equity and entrepreneurial experience. He was previously a Principal at private equity fund-of-funds manager Muller & Monroe, where he was a member of the firm’s investment team and helped manage the firm’s investor relationships. Prior to Muller & Monroe, Aaron spent time with two venture capital firms and was Director of Marketing at a venture-backed software company. Aaron began his career as a James H. Dunn Fellow in the press office of former Illinois Governor Jim Edgar. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
|
|
|
|
|
Vice President,Investor Relations
312-609-5445
Nicole is a Vice President on the Investor Relations team at Baird Capital. Prior to joining Baird Capital in 2012, Nicole was a Vice President of Marketing/Investor Relations with 2100 Xenon, a Chicago based alternative investment firm, where she was responsible for the development and execution of the firm’s global institutional marketing strategies. Before 2100 Xenon, Nicole was a regional consultant in the Investment Management Division of Goldman Sachs, and also worked as a portfolio specialist for Calamos Investments, where she communicated the firm’s investment process and strategies to institutional clients. Nicole began her career at Baxter International as a financial analyst. Nicole received a BS in Finance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
|
|
|
|