Work with Melissa
From Search to CEO: Mastering the ETA Journey
$7,624.50
Define Your Investment Thesis
$1,420.25
Build Your Investor Outreach Materials
$1,420.25
About
Customer favorite
In the top 10% of Search Fund & ETA experts on Leland
After spending 7 years leading companies for a San Francisco-based private equity firm, I decided to start a Search Fund and pursue the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) model. 8 months after beginning my search, I closed on a business and have been running that business since June 2024. I have deep experience conducting diligence, acquiring financing, and acquiring and operating businesses. If you want to successfully navigate the process, I'm your man to guide you through each step!
Melissa’s Search Fund & ETA Qualifications
Experience level: Executive
TLDR: Started self-funded search fund in 2023, acquired business 8 months later, have been successfully scaling it ever since. After being the CEO for two private equity backed companies, I wanted to branch out on my own and control more of the pie. I found that constraints from the PE model sometimes negatively influenced business decisions and I wanted to have more control over how to improve and scale a business (not to mention the capital structure). Six months after beginning my search, I submitted the LOI for the business I ultimately closed on two months later. I've been running that business since June of 2024 and we've been growing it nicely while paying down debt. I explored both traditional and self-funded search and completed diligence across a wide range of industries. I've looked at proprietary and brokered deals, received compelling financing terms from lenders and equity investors alike, and have gone through the full ETA cycle. I'm a regular speaker at SMBootCamp and have robust experience with M&A from my previous investment banking and private equity experience. I feel lucky to be doing what I'm doing right now and would love to help others achieve their goals within the Search Fund/ETA space.
Melissa can help with:
Deal Sourcing
Due Diligence
Fundraising
Hiring
Investment Evaluation
Search Fund Strategy
Why do I coach?
At each step in my career, I've benefitted from helpful mentors who gave me critical advice to navigate the next step. I'd love to do the same for others - especially those folks who are taking the leap into the sometimes daunting search fund world! I think it is a phenomenal model and I've really enjoyed my experience - I want others to enjoy the same benefits that I have.
Work Experience
Chief Executive Officer
Sentry Road
June 2024 - Present
Acquired Sentry Road through my search fund, Tormey Capital Partners, in June of 2024. Now leading Sentry Road through its next phase of growth. Sentry Road is a Learning Management Software (LMS) provider focused on safety and compliance training for hazardous industries like transportation, logistics, and manufacturing. I partner with safety-minded leaders who want to transform/enhance their company's culture to emphasize employee safety, learning, and continuous improvement.
Founder & Managing Partner
Tormey Capital Partners
October 2023 - Present
Hiring Manager
TCP is a Tampa-based search fund seeking to acquire and operate local businesses. We have experience operating and scaling businesses and can provide the resources to improve systems, attract talent, and drive growth. Our goal is to see the businesses we invest in continue thriving for years to come, while giving back to the Tampa Bay community.
Board Member
FEV Tutor
September 2023 - September 2024
Chief Executive Officer
FEV Tutor
July 2022 - August 2023
Hiring Manager
Recruited by San Francisco-based private equity firm Alpine Investors to lead FEV Tutor immediately post-acquisition in July of 2022. Revenue of $40M+, 100+ employees in the US, 5,000+ employees in India. Built out management team and key operational processes for scaling operations; most importantly - drove student academic outcome improvement by greater than 50% for our K-12 users.
President/CEO
MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions
March 2018 - June 2022
Hiring Manager
Promoted to CEO role of Alpine Investors-backed retirement and health & welfare third-party administrator (TPA). Before orchestrating a successful exit to a strategic buyer in December 2021, led a business turnaround whereby key operational metrics (KPIs) improved by 92-96% and EBITDA doubled.
Operating Executive
Alpine Investors
September 2016 - August 2023
Vice President Sales & Business Development
MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions
September 2016 - March 2018
Hiring Manager
Recruited by Alpine Investors to join CEO-in-Training (CIT) program. Joined MidAmerica (a third party administrator) to lead Sales, Marketing, Account Management, and Customer Service functions.
Investment Banking Analyst
Morgan Stanley
September 2010 - July 2013
Education
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
2013 - 2015
Activities and societies: Co-President of the Sports Management Club; Executive for the 2015 Challenge 4 Charity Weekend Team; Entrepreneurship Club
Yale University
B.A., History
2006 - 2010
Activities and societies: Yale Heavyweight Crew Team
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