Team
CenterGate's team possess significant knowledge in a diverse number of industries with over 200 years of combined experience. The CenterGate team draws on a collective set of experiences and partners with management teams to identify and execute strategies to grow companies and deliver value for our partners.
Tiffany Kosch
Managing Partner
Tiffany Kosch is a Managing Partner at CenterGate Capital. Tiffany has over 25 years of investment experience creating value in lower middle market companies. She was a Managing Director at H.I.G. Capital, where she invested in underperforming lower middle market companies for eight years. Her experience covers a broad range of investment structures and types, among them corporate spin-outs and orphans, turnaround equity and distressed debt. Sectors covered are also broad, including business services, consumer products and manufacturing. Tiffany received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S., cum laude, from Georgetown University.
Lewis Schoenwetter
Managing Partner
Lewis Schoenwetter is a Managing Partner at CenterGate Capital. Lewis has over 25 years of experience investing in lower middle market companies across a broad range of industries including business services, manufacturing, distribution, telecom and healthcare. Prior to joining CenterGate, Lewis was a Managing Director at H.I.G. Capital investing in lower middle market companies where he was involved in all aspects of the investment process, including sourcing, transaction structuring, financing, and execution of post-closing strategies. While at H.I.G. Capital he served on the board of numerous portfolio companies. Previously, Lewis was a Director with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners. Prior to Levine Leichtman, he worked in the private equity group at ABN AMRO and in Bank of America's leveraged finance group. Lewis received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and a B.S. from Marquette University.
Jason Apple
Managing Director
Jason Apple is a Managing Director at CenterGate Capital. Jason has more than 25 years of experience in lower middle market M&A transactions, including sourcing investment opportunities across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining CenterGate, he was responsible for new deal origination, marketing and business development initiatives at Akoya Capital. Previously, Jason was a Senior Director with Riveron Consulting and a Senior Vice President at the investment banking firm Houlihan Lokey. Prior to Houlihan Lokey, he worked in a range of corporate development and business development roles at Deloitte, PriceWaterhouse and Commerce One. Jason also worked as an investment professional at Equity Group Investments. Jason has an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management and a B.A. from Northwestern University.
Gregory Boyer
Managing Director
Gregory Boyer is a Managing Director at CenterGate Capital. Gregory has more than 25 years of experience across a broad range of industries. Prior to CenterGate, Gregory was a Principal at H.I.G. Capital's special situation fund where he invested in lower middle market companies and was involved in all aspects of the investment process, including sourcing, transaction structuring, financing, and execution of post-closing strategies. Previously, Gregory was a Managing Director and assisted in the founding of CDG Group. At CDG Group, Gregory provided advisory services to financially distressed companies and related creditor constituents. Gregory received an M.B.A. from Columbia Business School and a B.S., cum laude, in Accounting from The Ohio State University.
Jill Holup, CFA
Managing Director, COO, and CFO
Jill Holup is a Managing Director, COO, and CFO at CenterGate Capital. Jill has over 20 years of finance and investment experience, serving in roles that include CFO, COO, Director of Finance, and Portfolio Manager. Prior to joining CenterGate, Jill was Vice President, Finance at the Cumby Group, an Austin-based real estate developer/builder. Previously, she held positions with Callegro Investments, Kensington Investment Group, and John McStay Investment Counsel. Jill received an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and a B.B.A.- Finance from the University of Texas – El Paso. Jill is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder.
Jeff Kovick
Managing Director
Jeff Kovick is a Managing Director at CenterGate Capital. Jeff has over 15 years of lower middle market investing experience across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining CenterGate, he was a Principal with Nimes Capital, the internal investment vehicle of a prominent single-family office, where he helped create and lead the private equity strategy focused on direct investments and acquisitions of lower middle market companies. Before Nimes, Jeff held positions with Century Park Capital Partners and Houlihan Lokey. Jeff received a B.B.A in Finance from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.
Tim Liu
Managing Director
Tim Liu is a Managing Director at CenterGate Capital. Tim has over 20 years of investing experience across a broad range of industries, company sizes, and transaction structures. After investment banking at Morgan Stanley, he began his private equity career at H.I.G. Capital focusing on lower middle market transactions across the business services, industrial services, and healthcare industries. Tim then joined Brentwood Associates, where he focused on the consumer industry. Most recently he was a Vice President at Platinum Equity. Tim received an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.S., magna cum laude, in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Adam Miller
Managing Director
Adam Miller is a Managing Director at CenterGate Capital. Adam is focused on working with management teams to implement operational improvements and growth initiatives at portfolio companies, as well as operational diligence of acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining CenterGate, Adam held various operational leadership roles at Fortune 100, private equity-backed, and venture capital-backed companies. Adam is an alumnus of the Leaders for Global Operations program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received both an M.B.A from the Sloan School of Management and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a B.S. in Engineering Technology, with Distinction, from Purdue University.
Michael Smith
Managing Director
Michael Smith is a Managing Director at CenterGate Capital. Michael has over 13 years of experience across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining CenterGate, Michael was with Five Points Capital, a lower middle market private investment firm. While at Five Points Capital, Michael completed numerous successful equity and debt investments in a broad range of industries. Prior to Five Points Capital, Mr. Smith began his career in investment banking at Lazard, focusing on M&A advisory to middle market clients. Michael received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Connor Davis
Vice President
Connor Davis is a Vice President at CenterGate Capital. Connor is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Connor was with Farragut Capital Partners, a lower middle market private investment firm. While at Farragut, Connor completed numerous successful equity and mezzanine debt investments across several industries. Prior to Farragut, Mr. Davis began his career at Stout Risius Ross, where he provided advisory and valuation services primarily to employee-owned middle market companies. Connor received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia.
Chris Nealey
Vice President
Chris Nealey is a Vice President at CenterGate Capital. Chris is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Chris was with Pacific Avenue Capital Partners, a middle market private equity firm. While at Pacific, Chris completed numerous successful platform investments across several industries. Prior to Pacific, Mr. Nealey was with Fertitta Capital where he focused on control investments in the middle market and began his career as an Investment Banking Analyst at Wells Fargo. Chris earned a B.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Boise State University.
Dan Noday
Vice President
Dan Noday is a Vice President at CenterGate Capital. Dan is focused on working with management teams to implement operational improvements and growth initiatives at portfolio companies, as well as operational diligence of acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining CenterGate, Dan held operations strategy, engineering, and product management roles at Boeing, Goodyear, and Rogue Fitness. He also founded an independent operations consulting firm. Dan is an alumnus of the Leaders for Global Operations program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he received both an M.B.A. from the Sloan School of Management and an M.S. in Engineering Systems. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Nicholas Panarese
Vice President
Nick Panarese is a Vice President at CenterGate Capital. Nick is focused on working with management teams to implement operational improvements and growth initiatives at portfolio companies, as well as operational diligence of acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining CenterGate, Nick was a Director at CURO Financial Technologies, where he focused on Corporate Development, M&A, and Investor Relations. Prior to CURO, he was part of KPMG’s Deal Advisory group, focusing on financial due diligence for middle market financial sponsors and strategic acquirers, and started his career in audit at Baker Tilly. Nick earned an M.B.A. from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business and a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Marquette University. He is a CPA.
Morgan Plasek
Vice President
Morgan Plasek is a Vice President at CenterGate Capital. Morgan is focused on working with management teams to implement operational improvements and growth initiatives at portfolio companies, as well as operational diligence of acquisition opportunities. Prior to joining CenterGate, Morgan was with E78 Partners, where she provided advisory services to private equity sponsored middle market companies. Prior to E78, she held accounting and finance roles at Mitratech and National Instruments, having started her career as an auditor at Deloitte. She holds a B.B.A. in Accounting and M.S. in Finance from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Chris Thomas
Vice President
Chris Thomas is a Vice president at CenterGate Capital. Chris is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Chris was an investment banking analyst at Deloitte Corporate Finance, a middle-market investment bank. Chris earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Erik Zentner
Vice President
Erik Zentner is a Vice President at CenterGate Capital. Erik is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Erik was with Aldine Capital Partners, a lower middle market private investment firm. While at Aldine, Erik completed numerous successful equity and mezzanine debt investments across several industries. Prior to Aldine, Mr. Zentner began his career at KPMG in the Deal Advisory Group, focusing on financial due diligence for middle market financial sponsors and strategic acquirers. Erik earned a B.S. in Accounting, with Honors, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and is a CPA (inactive).
Victoria Hardaway, CPA
Controller
Victoria Hardaway is a Controller at CenterGate Capital. Victoria has over 8 years of experience in private equity accounting. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Victoria was a controller at MUFG Capital Analytics, a private equity fund administrator, where she was involved in fund reporting and investor relations. Victoria holds her CPA license from the State of Washington and received a B.B.A., summa cum lade, in accounting from Midwestern State University.
Paul Pedroncelli
Senior Accountant
Paul Pedroncelli is a Senior Accountant at CenterGate Capital. Paul has over fifteen years of accounting experience in a broad range of industries and company sizes. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Paul served as Controller at CTX Capital Partners, a land acquisition and development company. Paul earned a B.S. in Business/Accounting from the University of Phoenix.
Derwin Friesen
Senior Associate
Derwin Friesen is a Senior Associate at CenterGate Capital. Derwin is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Derwin was a senior M&A analyst at GI Alliance (a Waud Capital Partners portfolio company) executing a roll-up strategy. Prior to GI Alliance, Derwin was an investment analyst in the Power Group at Prudential Private Capital. Derwin received a BBA, Magna Cum Laude, in Accounting and a Masters in Accountancy from Baylor University.
Jeff Stefanucci
Senior Associate
Jeff Stefanucci is a Senior Associate at CenterGate Capital. Jeff is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Jeff was an investment banking analyst at Piper Sandler, focusing on M&A advisory and debt and equity offerings across the financial services space. Prior to Piper Sandler, Jeff was a credit risk analyst in the financial institutions group at JP Morgan. Jeff earned a B.B.A., Cum Laude, in Finance from Texas A&M University.
Jake Berns
Associate
Jake Berns is an Associate at CenterGate Capital. Jake is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Jake was a Senior Analyst at WM Capital Partners focusing on distressed debt and special situations investments. Jake earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Baylor University and a M.S. in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Trey Lansdale
Associate
Trey Lansdale is an Associate at CenterGate Capital. Trey is responsible for the financial modeling, market analysis, and due diligence of acquisition opportunities, as well as the monitoring of existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Trey was an Investment Banking Analyst at Solomon Partners. Trey earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Honors and Finance from the University of Texas at Austin.
Angus Binnie
Business Development Analyst
Angus Binnie is a Business Development Analyst at CenterGate Capital. Angus is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal origination, and developing intermediary relationships. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Angus worked as a Sales Development Representative for Cockroach Labs and Betterworks, two enterprise software startups. He holds a B.A. in Foreign Affairs with a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Virginia.
Tyler Kinney
Business Development Analyst
Tyler Kinney is a Business Development Analyst at CenterGate Capital. Tyler is responsible for identifying and evaluating investment opportunities, deal origination, and developing intermediary relationships. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Tyler worked as a private equity summer analyst at Two Roads Partners and The Riverside Company. He holds a B.A. in Business Informatics with a minor in Finance from Indiana University.
Kady Joy
Business Development Assistant
Kady Joy is a Business Development Assistant at CenterGate Capital. Kady has a background in business development and marketing operations. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Kady was a marketing coordinator with a public accounting firm. Kady received a B.A. in English from Fordham University.
Dallas Decko
Executive Assistant
Dallas Decko is an Executive Assistant at CenterGate Capital. Dallas has over fifteen years of experience in executive administration. Prior to joining CenterGate Capital, Dallas served as an Office Manager and Executive Assistant for private equity and other financial firms such as Trilantic Capital Management, Greenbelt Capital Partners and NYFIX, Inc. Dallas earned her B.A. in Theatre from St. Edward’s University.