Robert A. Martin
David L. Kessenich
Ryan Heckman
Matthew Hicks
Patrick O'Keefe
Ryan Glaws

Brad Cornell
Scott Friar
Justin Unertl
Emmett Nelms
Brenda Goscha
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Spend enough time with Excellere and you will notice that there is something different about us. This is intentional. We built an organization around individuals who have backgrounds, skill sets, and attitudes that enhance and perpetuate the firm’s unique culture and philosophy.

Prior to joining Excellere, each of our investment professionals and staff had diverse backgrounds and a history of success and achievement. As importantly, we have assembled a team with character and a unique passion for excellence and service to others.

Further reinforcing our differentiated approach, the phrase Strive for Excellence graces the back of Excellere business cards, a wall in our headquarters, and our collateral materials. Strive for Excellence reflects the manifestation of our commitment to a higher standard of service – to our investors, portfolio company managers/partners, lenders, intermediaries, and service providers.

Managing Partner

Mr. Martin has spent virtually his entire career originating, operating and investing in middle-market transactions as an entrepreneur (founded two companies), a middle-market investment banker and a private equity investment professional. Mr. Martin has extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing, strategic planning, advising and structuring transactions.

Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Martin was a Director at KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity group. Before joining KRG Capital Partners, Mr. Martin was President of Geneva Corporate Finance (acquired by Citigroup in February 2001), a national investment banking firm specializing in advising privately held middle-market companies. Mr. Martin served in senior positions at Geneva Corporate Finance for 11 years (seven years as a Managing Director and four years as President) and successfully completed or supervised approximately 200 entrepreneurial sell-side engagements of companies with market enterprise values from $15 million to over $500 million.

Mr. Martin earned a BS degree in Accounting and Finance from Hofstra University. Mr. Martin currently serves on the board of directors of ASI Government, AxelaCare Heath Solutions, and MTS Medication Technologies. Mr. Martin previously served on the board of directors of MedExpress Urgent Care and Advanced Pain Management prior to their sales in 2010.

rmartin@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2407

Managing Partner

Mr. Kessenich has substantial private equity and investment banking experience. Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Kessenich was a Director and member of the investment committee of KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity group. As a private equity investor, Mr. Kessenich has completed more than 50 acquisitions, including industry consolidations in the healthcare services, medical technology, life sciences, industrial technology and services, transportation logistics and energy services industries. Previously, Mr. Kessenich was an investment professional at SBC Equity Partners and Mason Wells. Prior to that, Mr. Kessenich was an investment banker with Continental Bank and Bank of America where he advised middle-market companies.

Mr. Kessenich received an MBA in Finance and International Business from The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business and a BSBA in Accounting and Finance from Creighton University. Mr. Kessenich currently serves on the board of directors of AxelaCare Health Solutions, Medtech College/Institute, MTS Medication Technologies, and U.S. Water Services. Mr. Kessenich also previously served on the board of directors of MedExpress Urgent Care and Advanced Pain Management prior to their sales in 2010.

dkessenich@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2405

Managing Partner

Mr. Heckman has nearly 15 years of private equity investing experience. Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Heckman served as a Principal of KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity firm. Prior to KRG Capital Partners, Mr. Heckman was an investment professional at Booth Creek Management Corporation (“Booth Creek”), a private equity firm focused on a buy and build strategy, primarily within the food and transportation industries. While serving as an investment professional, Mr. Heckman also maintained interim operating responsibility as President of one of Booth Creek’s portfolio companies.

Throughout his career, Mr. Heckman has participated in numerous consolidations in the food products, transportation, healthcare, life sciences, insurance services, building products, recreation and leisure and government services industries. Mr. Heckman currently serves on the board of directors of Personable Holdings, ASI Government, Medtech College/Institute, and U.S. Water Services. Mr. Heckman also previously served on the board of directors of MedExpress Urgent Care prior to its sale in 2010.

Mr. Heckman earned a BS in Business Administration and a minor in Economics, summa cum laude, from the University of Colorado. Mr. Heckman was a member of the United States Ski Team and competed in the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics.

rheckman@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2409

Partner

Mr. Hicks has more than 20 years of experience in private equity investing and financing middle-market companies. Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Hicks served as a Vice President of Stone Arch Capital, LLC (“SAC”), an Upper Midwest focused middle-market private equity firm. Prior to SAC, Mr. Hicks was an investment professional at George K. Baum Merchant Banc, LLC (“GKB”), a private equity firm focused on a buy and build investment strategy primarily within the food and beverage, consumer products and business service industries. Prior to GKB, Mr. Hicks was an investment professional with Bank of America’s private equity subsidiary, BankAmerica Capital Corporation. Prior to that, Mr. Hicks was a financing professional with Bank of America’s Leveraged Finance Group.

Mr. Hicks has participated in numerous buy and build investment platforms in food and beverage products, outsourced marketing services, consumer products, office furniture products, healthcare services, and industrial and municipal products. Mr. Hicks currently serves on the board of directors of MTS Medication Technologies. Mr. Hicks previously served on the board of directors of Advanced Pain Management.

Mr. Hicks earned an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship, finance and strategic management from The University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business and earned a BS in Finance from the University of Utah.

mhicks@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2410

Principal

Mr. O’Keefe joined Excellere Partners in 2007 and has been a key team member for ASI Government, Medtech College/Institute and U.S. Water Services, the latter for which he serves on the board of directors. Previously, Mr. O’Keefe was an investment professional with H.I.G. Capital, a middle-market private equity firm and an Analyst at JPMorgan in their mergers and acquisition group.

Mr. O’Keefe earned an MBA with honors from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a major in finance. Mr. O’Keefe earned a BS in analytical finance from Wake Forest University

pokeefe@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2412

Principal

Mr. Glaws joined Excellere Partners in 2007 and has been a key team member for MedExpress Urgent Care (prior to its sale in 2010), MTS Medication Technologies and AxelaCare Health Solutions, the latter for which he serves on the board of directors. Previously, Mr. Glaws was Assistant Vice President for GE Commercial Finance in the healthcare leveraged lending group. Mr. Glaws was previously an Associate with Bank One's capital markets group.

Mr. Glaws earned his Bachelors of Business Administration (Cum Laude) from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio with a major in finance and a minor in economics. Mr. Glaws was awarded his CFA Charter in 2005.

rglaws@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2404

Principal

Mr. Cornell joined Excellere Partners in 2011 and has been a key team member for Personable Insurance, for which he serves on the board of directors. Previously, Mr. Cornell was a Director with Lake Capital, a private equity firm with $1.3 billion in assets under management. His past experience also includes roles at GE Capital, William Blair & Company, and Bank One Corporation.

Mr. Cornell earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania with a major in Finance and a BA in Finance from James Madison University.

bcornell@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2402

Vice President

Mr. Friar joined Excellere Partners in 2008 and has been a key team member on Medtech College/Institute and U.S. Water Services.

Previously, Mr. Friar was an assistant vice president with GE Antares Capital’s Leveraged Finance Group in Chicago, where he was responsible for structuring, underwriting, documenting and managing middle-market sponsor transactions across a variety of industries.

Mr. Friar graduated with honors from Michigan State University with a B.A. in finance.

sfriar@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2408

Director of Accounting and Administration

Ms. Goscha joined Excellere Partners in 2007 and has been heavily involved in the firm’s accounting, operations and administration. Ms. Goscha has more than ten years of private equity experience in administration and operations.

Ms. Goscha’s prior experience includes entrepreneurship, accounting, and banking. Prior to joining Excellere Partners, Ms. Goscha was Administrative Director with KRG Capital Partners, a middle-market private equity group. At KRG, Ms. Goscha was actively involved in administration, operations, and event coordination.

Ms. Goscha earned a BA in Business Administration, summa cum laude, from the University of Denver.

BGoscha@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2414

Associate

Mr. Unertl joined Excellere Partners in 2010, and has been a key team member on AxelaCare Health Solutions and Personable Insurance.

Previously, Mr. Unertl was an operating partner with Arrowhead Health, a middle-market healthcare service provider. His past experience also includes six years in leveraged finance at Freeport Financial and GE Capital, with a focus on lower middle-market private equity buyouts.

Mr. Unertl earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Wisconsin.

junertl@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2416

Associate

Mr. Nelms joined Excellere Partners in 2011, and has been a key team member on ASI Government.

Previously, Mr. Nelms worked as an Associate for BIA Digital Partners, a middle-market mezzanine lender, where he was responsible for structuring, underwriting, and monitoring investments. Previously, he spent three years with The Breckenridge Group, a middle-market investment bank located in Atlanta.

Mr. Nelms earned his Bachelors of Science in Commerce with a concentration in Finance from the University of Virginia.

enelms@excellerepartners.com
303.765.2415