Tyler Ashley

Vice President

Tyler joined Excellere Partners in 2019. He is responsible for the strategic execution and management of Excellere’s origination efforts which includes the sourcing and evaluation of new investment opportunities. Previously, he worked as an Associate for JMC Capital Partners, a middle-market buyout firm investing in industrial products and technologies. There he focused on sourcing new transactions and building relationships with intermediaries. He also has prior experience in new business generation in the media and technology industries.

Mr. Ashley earned an MBA from Babson College F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from Wake Forest University.

Outside of work, Tyler enjoys hiking, camping, skiing, and traveling, which have, for the most part, been temporarily put on hold as he manages life with a newborn, a toddler, and an incredibly handsome French Bulldog.

Mike Bringgold

Senior Associate

Mr. Bringgold joined Excellere Partners in 2019. He is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities, performing transaction due diligence, and working with management teams to implement operational and growth strategies. Mike currently serves as an active team member on portfolio companies LucidHealth and Concord Technologies.

Previously, Mr. Bringgold worked as an Analyst for Harris Williams, a middle-market investment bank, in the Healthcare & Life Sciences group, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments.

Mr. Bringgold earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota.

Nick Coleman

Principal

Nick joined Excellere Partners in 2013 and has been a key team member on LucidHealth, Medlogix and Biocare Medical. He is responsible for evaluating and executing new investment opportunities, arranging debt financing, and supporting value-creation initiatives and portfolio company management. Previously, Nick worked as an Analyst for Northwestern Mutual Capital, LLC, the private investment manager for the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, providing mezzanine debt and equity co-investments for private equity sponsor-backed portfolio companies. His primary responsibilities included structuring, underwriting, and monitoring investments across a variety of industries and asset classes.

Nick earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin.

Brad Cornell

Managing Partner

Brad is a Managing Partner with Excellere and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and Management Committee. Brad oversees the sourcing, evaluating, and executing of new investments and supports management teams on value-creation initiatives at existing portfolio companies. He has 25 years of experience in private equity investing, mergers and acquisitions, and financing of middle market companies across a number of industries, including pharmaceutical services; engineering, industrial, and infrastructure services; and technology-enabled solutions. He focuses on (i) pharmaceutical and pharmacy services, (ii) industrial and infrastructure services, and (iii) business services industries. Brad currently serves on the board of directors of Parcelshield Holdings and, prior to their sales, served on the boards of directors of Two Labs Pharma Services, TrialCard, Personable Insurance, Integrated Petroleum Technologies, and G2 Integrated Solutions.

Prior to Excellere, Mr. Cornell served as a Director at Lake Capital, an operationally oriented private equity firm investing in a wide range of entrepreneurially owned and operated services businesses.  During his time with Lake, he executed numerous buy-and-build strategies and served on the boards of directors of five portfolio companies.  His past experiences include leveraged finance with GE Capital, investment banking with William Blair & Company, and corporate finance with First Chicago Corporation (now known as JPMorgan Chase).  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.

Bailey Cox

Associate

Previously, Bailey worked as an Analyst for Piper Sandler, a Minnesota-based investment bank, as a member of the Information-Driven Healthcare team. During his time at Piper Sandler, Bailey’s team became the second most productive group at the firm by gross deal fees and the most productive on a per-headcount basis. Bailey supported the technical execution of sell-side mergers and acquisitions as well as several equity private placements and Initial Public Offerings.

Bailey holds three Bachelor of Science in Business degrees from the University of Minnesota, where he graduated with distinction. He is an avid hiker, skier, and snowboarder, and enjoys rooting for the Minnesota Vikings, albeit with a low ROI to date.

Mike Forsyth

Vice President

Mike joined Excellere Partners in 2016 as an Associate and has been a key team member on portfolio companies TL Life Sciences Solutions (Two Labs Pharma Services) and G2 Integrated Solutions prior to their sales and on the Healthcare Business Services industry team.

Previously, Mike worked as an Analyst for Harris Williams & Co., a middle-market investment bank, in the Energy, Power & Infrastructure group, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments.

Mike earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, magna cum laude, from the University of Richmond.

In his spare time, Mike enjoys reading a variety of fiction and non-fiction books, slowly improving his cooking skills through trial and error, frequenting live music events across the different venues Denver has to offer, and spending time outside golfing and skiing.

Mike Geldart

Partner, Chief Compliance Officer

Michael Geldart has more than 30 years of experience in executive leadership, operations, health law, regulatory compliance, and corporate development.  Most recently, Mr. Geldart was the Chief Operating Officer of BioTelemetry (Nasdaq:BEAT), the leading provider of cardiac monitoring, cardiac monitoring device manufacturing, and centralized cardiac core laboratory services.  Previously, Mr. Geldart was the Chief Operating Officer of MedExpress, a leading multi-state urgent care provider and former portfolio company of Excellere Partners.  Prior to that, Mr. Geldart was the Chief Operating Officer and EVP of Corporate Development of CCS Medical, a national provider of Medical and Pharmacy supplies for patients suffering from diabetes, respiratory and other chronic conditions.  Mr. Geldart began his career practicing healthcare law at Holland & Knight, LLP, a global law firm, and was promoted to Partner and served as the Co-Chair of the firm’s National Health Care Practice Group.

Mr. Geldart received a Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, and is a member of the Florida Bar.  He received a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from the University of South Florida.

Mr. Geldart is a member of the American Bar Association and serves on the Board of the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation in Denver Colorado.

Colton Gier

Associate

Mr. Gier joined Excellere Partners in 2022. Previously, Mr. Gier worked as an Associate for Sky Island Capital, a Texas-based private equity firm focused on lower middle-market manufacturing companies. His experience also includes one and a half years as an investment banking Analyst with Houlihan Lokey. Mr. Gier currently serves as an active team member on portfolio company CDL Nuclear Technologies as well as on the Healthcare Provider Services industry team.

Mr. Gier earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Alternative Asset Management from Southern Methodist University, where he served as a Fellow of the Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies within the Cox School of Business.

Mr. Gier uses his free time to read fiction novels, hike/snowshoe around Colorado, improve his ski game, and spend time with his wife and two dogs.

Ryan Glaws

Managing Partner

Ryan is a Managing Partner with Excellere and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and Management Committee. Ryan oversees the sourcing, evaluating, and execution of new investments and supports management teams on value-creation initiatives at existing portfolio companies. With more than 20 years of healthcare-focused private equity investing experience in the middle market, Ryan focuses primarily on (i) pharmacy products and services, (ii) medical products, and (iii) life sciences and diagnostic tools. Ryan currently serves on the board of directors for AIS Healthcare, Concord Technologies, Biocare Medical, Parcelshield, SCA Pharma, and Molecular Designs, and previously served on the board of directors for AxelaCare Health Solutions and Mentis Neuro Health.

Prior to Excellere, Mr. Glaws was Assistant Vice President for GE Capital’s Healthcare leveraged finance group.  Mr. Glaws began his career with Bank One’s Capital Markets Group.  Mr. Glaws earned his Bachelor 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.

Ross Gundry

Principal

Ross joined Excellere Partners in 2016 and is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing new investments and supporting management teams on value-creation initiatives. He has over 13 years of experience supporting entrepreneurs in private equity investments, operations, and financings in emerging growth companies. Ross primarily focuses on healthcare and business services opportunities, with a focus on i) cybersecurity and managed IT services, ii) compliance and regulatory risk management, iii) human capital management, and iv) payor services. He is currently on the Board of Directors at ADVENT, CDL Nuclear Technologies, and Medlogix.

Prior to joining Excellere, he was an investment professional at Riverside Partners, a middle-market healthcare- and technology-focused private equity firm. During his tenure with Riverside, his responsibilities included evaluating and executing new investment opportunities, arranging debt financing, and supporting portfolio company management. He began his career as an analyst in the Mergers and Acquisitions group at Merrill Lynch.

Ross earned a Bachelor of Science in Management and Business, magna cum laude, from Skidmore College.

Matt Halverson

Principal

Mr. Halverson joined Excellere Partners in 2014 and is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing new investments, arranging debt financing, and supporting management on value creation initiatives.  He serves as a key team member on AIS Healthcare, SePRO Corporation, SCA Pharma, and prior to its sale, Mentis Neuro Health.

Mr. Halverson has over twelve years of experience in private equity and mergers and acquisitions, having previously worked as an Associate for Pfingsten Partners, an operationally focused private equity firm investing in manufacturing, distribution, and business services companies, and as an Analyst for Lincoln International, a middle-market investment bank, where he advised clients on sell-side mergers and acquisitions.

Mr. Halverson holds his Bachelor of Business Administration, with high honors, from the University of Iowa.

When he is not at work, you can find him playing with his two dogs, spending time with his fiancé on Lake Loveland or in the mountains, cooking, reading, or watching Iowa Hawkeyes Football.

Matt Hicks

Managing Partner

Matt is a Founder and Managing Partner with Excellere and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and Management Committee. Matt oversees the sourcing, evaluating, and executing of new investments and supports management teams on value creation initiatives at existing portfolio companies. Matt has more than 30 years of experience in private equity investing and financing entrepreneurial-owned and managed businesses. Throughout his career, He has partnered with numerous entrepreneurial-owned businesses across a number of industries, including (i) physician services, (ii) healthcare services, (iii) pharmacy products and technology, (iv) outsourced insurance services, (v) outsourced marketing services, and (vi) industrial services and products industries, and supported those organizations in buy and build growth strategies. Matt currently serves on the board of directors of ADVENT, MedLogix and SePRO, and previously served on the board of directors of AIS Healthcare, Advanced Pain Management, MTS Medication Technologies, Mentis and PhyMed Holdings prior to their sales.

Prior to forming Excellere Partners, Mr. Hicks served as an investment professional at Stone Arch Capital, LLC (“SAC”), an Upper Midwest-focused middle-market private equity firm and 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 SAC and GKB, Mr. Hicks began his career as both an investment professional and financing professional in Bank of America’s private equity subsidiary, BankAmerica Capital Corporation and Continental Bank’s Leveraged Finance Group, respectively.

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.

Tracie Kelly

Director of Marketing

Tracie brings over 18 years of private equity marketing, communications and origination experience. As the Director of Marketing Tracie leads the day-to-day execution of Excellere's marketing and communications strategies, as well as overall brand strategy. These initiatives include balancing creativity with analytical skills while supporting the firm’s origination efforts and investment opportunities. Tracie works closely with entrepreneurs, investment banking professionals, investors, and other stakeholders to further strengthen and differentiate the firm’s presence in the market. Prior to joining Excellere, Tracie was the Marketing Manager for KRG Capital, LLC, a middle-market private equity firm where she led the firm’s marketing department through four of their five funds.

Tracie is a wife, mother of 2 teenagers, wannabe writer and photographer, lover of books and bareboat sailing, fanatic over classic 1975 Ford Bronco convertibles, she spends most of her free time driving kids to sporting practices and events and cheering them on.

Eric Mattson

Partner

Eric has over 30 years of experience in mergers & acquisitions, strategic consulting, and senior operations experience. Prior to joining Excellere, he held a variety of senior positions within the outsourced pharmaceutical services industry, where he was responsible for building and growing several new business activities.  Key aspects of each of Eric’s past two roles include executing acquisitions and divestitures, acquisition integration, and developing growth strategies. In addition, he also has advised companies in the areas of strategic planning, marketing, and enterprise value enhancement. Eric spent nearly 15 years in middle-market investment banking, where he was responsible for all areas of client origination, valuation, and M&A transaction management and execution, advising more than 200 clients across a broad range of industries.

Eric began his career in corporate finance for an international manufacturer of telecommunications equipment. He currently serves on the board of ParcelShield Holdings and previously served on the board of TL Life Sciences Solutions (Two Labs Pharma Services) prior to its sale.  Eric earned a degree in Business Administration with majors in Finance and Economics from the University of South Florida.

After many years coaching youth sports, Eric is still looking for his big break into professional athletics by regularly showcasing his passion for hockey in the Denver no-check leagues and fine-tuning his double-digit handicap on the golf course.  He’s also an avid fisherman and loves the outdoors.  He and his wife of over 30 years have two adult children and one elderly Yorkie.

Patrick O’Keefe

Managing Partner

Patrick is a Managing Partner with Excellere and is a member of the firm’s Investment Committee and Management Committee. He oversees the sourcing, evaluating, and execution of new investments and supports management teams on value creation initiatives at existing portfolio companies. Patrick has 20 years of experience in private equity investing, mergers and acquisitions, and financing, of middle market companies across a number of industries, including (i) healthcare, (ii) specialty chemicals, (iii) business services, and (iv) industrial services. He focuses on the healthcare business services, provider services, industrial growth, and specialty chemical market segments. Patrick currently serves on the board of directors of LucidHealth, SePRO, and CDL, and, prior to its sale, served on the board of directors for G2 Integrated Solutions, and U.S. Water Services.

Prior to Excellere, 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 and strategy. Mr. O’Keefe graduated cum laude with a BS in analytical finance from Wake Forest University.

Grant Rahja

Associate

Grant joined Excellere Partners in 2021.

Previously, Grant worked as an Analyst for William Blair, a middle-market investment bank, in the Services and Industrial group, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments.

Grant earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin.

In his spare time, Grant enjoys golfing, planning trips, and spending time with friends at breweries, restaurants, and coffee shops in the RiNo neighborhood.

Ryan Revolinski

Senior Associate

Ryan joined Excellere Partners in 2020.  He is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing investment opportunities, performing transaction due diligence, and working with management teams to implement operational and growth strategies and support value-creation initiatives.  Ryan currently serves as an active team member on portfolio companies ADVENT, Molecular Designs, SCA Pharma, and SePRO, as well as on the Medical Products and Industrial Growth industry teams.

Prior to joining Excellere, Ryan was a financial analyst at Houlihan Lokey in the healthcare group.  He was involved in numerous buy-side and sell-side M&A transactions across the healthcare sector, including physician practices, multi-site and retail healthcare, surgical hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and veterinary services.  His responsibilities included performing valuation analysis, conducting due diligence, building financial models, evaluating market and industry dynamics, and transaction execution.

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Alternative Asset Management from Southern Methodist University, where he served as a Fellow of the Don Jackson Center for Financial Studies within the Cox School of Business.

In his free time, Ryan can be found walking/roller-blading his Doberman Pinscher (“Chicken Nugget”) around Sloan’s Lake, skiing resorts across the Mountain West, and spending time with his fiancé exploring local Denver restaurants and attractions.

Justin Unertl

Partner

Justin joined Excellere Partners in 2010 and is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing new investments and supporting management teams on value-creation initiatives. He has over 15 years of experience supporting entrepreneurs in private equity investments, operations, and financings in emerging growth companies. Justin primarily focuses on healthcare and business services opportunities, with a focus on i) IT and cybersecurity, ii) compliance and regulatory risk management, and iii) outsourced insurance services. He is currently on the Board of Directors at Biocare, LucidHealth and Medlogix. Prior to their sale, Justin was active in several Excellere platforms including AxelaCare, Personable Insurance and PhyMed Healthcare Group.

Prior to joining Excellere, Mr. Unertl was an operating executive with Arrowhead Health, a multi-specialty healthcare service provider where he served as its Chief Financial Officer and also carried business development responsibilities.  He began his career in leveraged finance at GE Capital and Freeport Financial, with a focus on middle-market private equity buyouts.

Mr. Unertl earned a Finance degree from the University of Wisconsin.

Jacque Vedra

Chief Financial Officer

As the Chief Financial Officer, Jacque is responsible for all financial activities, including the firm’s financial reporting, accounting, treasury, tax, institutional reporting, corporate profitability analysis, and long-range strategic planning. Prior to joining Excellere in 2022, Jacque served as the Chief Financial Officer for Ascentris, a real estate private equity firm, where she led the firm’s finance department.

Jacque earned an M.S. in Finance from the University of Denver, an M.S. in Statistics from the University of California at San Diego, and a B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Colorado. Jacque is a CFA Charterholder and member of the CFA Institute and CFA Society of Colorado. She is a Certified Public Accountant and belongs to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as well as the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jacque lives in Golden, Colorado, with her husband and two sons. Jacque enjoys skiing and golfing, and she spends most of her free time at her sons’ sporting events.

Mike Vieth

Principal

Mike joined the Excellere team in 2014 and is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and executing new investments and supporting the management teams of existing portfolio companies.  Mike currently serves on the board of directors of ParcelShield Holdings and serves as a key team member on Concord Technologies and, prior to their sales, TrialCard Incorporated and TL Life Sciences Solutions (Two Labs Pharma Services). He has over 14 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions and previously worked as an Associate for Maranon Capital, LP, a provider of mezzanine and senior debt to middle-market companies, where he was responsible for evaluating and executing investments across a variety of industries. His experience includes two years as an Analyst with Harris Williams & Co., a middle-market investment bank, where he advised clients on sell-side mergers and acquisitions.

Mike earned an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Minnesota.

In his time away from the office, Mike enjoys spending as much time as he can outdoors and is particularly drawn to lakes and mountains.  After growing up on water skis during summers in the Midwest, he’s now adapting to the steeper and colder variety of skiing in Colorado.  Mike and his wife are known to seek out impromptu weekend adventures, whether it be a sporting event, concert, or new restaurants around Denver.

Jacob Woodring

Associate

Jake joined Excellere Partners in 2021.

Previously, Jake worked as an Associate for Lazard in the Business Services and Industrials group, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and strategic advisory assignments.

Jake earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Denver.

In his spare time, Jake enjoys reading non-fiction, frequenting the local Denver food scene, skiing tree runs in the Rocky Mountains, improving his surfing game on the West Coast, and spending time with his family and friends.