MVC Capital has added four new debt professionals to its team with the hiring’s of David Williams, Harrison Mullin, David Gardner and Scott Foote. All four were previously employed by Fifth Third Bancorp’s Mezzanine Finance Group which Mr. Williams co-founded in 1999. The new team members will join Tokarz Group Advisers, the external manager of MVC Capital, and will be based in Cincinnati.
“We are delighted to welcome David and his team of talented investment professionals,” said Michael Tokarz, Chairman & Portfolio Manager of MVC Capital. “As seasoned debt investors through decades of investment cycles, the team brings to MVC sourcing and lending expertise to supplement our already strong investment group. Their expertise will enhance MVC’s efforts to grow our mezzanine lending business and provide creative capital solutions for the middle market.”
All four team members, while at Fifth Third, completed 176 transactions, representing over $800 million of invested mezzanine capital. As part of the Tokarz Group, the team will continue to focus on middle market lending opportunities sourced from senior lenders, corporate executives and private equity sponsors.
As mentioned earlier, David Williams co-founded Fifth Third’s Mezzanine Finance Group in 1999. As a senior investment professional with over 30 years of investment experience, he has led or co-led transactions, representing over $2 billion of invested capital. Prior to his time at Fifth Third, Mr. Williams worked at First Interstate Bank, The Bank of California, Union Bank of California and PNC. He has a BBA degree from Wittenberg University.
Mr. Williams expects that the new team will have an immediate impact on the results of MVC. “We are excited about joining MVC and look forward to immediately impacting MVC’s yield strategy. We look forward to building upon MVC’s successful investment platform and driving strong returns for MVC’s shareholders.
As part of Fifth Third, Mr. Williams and his team were based in Cincinnati and they will continue to base their operations from the Queen City. “We are thrilled to remain in Cincinnati, an important strategic location that allows us continued access to investment opportunities from our long-term relationships in the financial community,” said Mr. Williams.
MVC Capital invests from $3 million to $25 million in middle market companies that have revenues of $10 million to $150 million and EBITDAs of $3 million to $25 million. Sectors of interest include consumer products; industrial manufacturing and services; food and food services; financial services; value-added distribution; and specialty chemicals. The firm is traded on the NYSE under the symbol MVC and is headquartered near White Plains in Purchase, NY (www.mvccapital.com).
2014 PEPD • Private Equity’s Leading News Magazine • 10-29-14
