Jeff M. Swain

Hilco Equity Management LLC is a private equity firm Founded by Jeffrey Hecktman and John Tomes in 2002. The firm is headquartered in Northbrook and subsidiary of Hilco Trading Co.

Hilco Equity Partners LP invests in middle market companies located in North America with revenues of $20 - $150 million, experienced management team and sustainable competitive advantage. The fund targets companies operating in the fields of retail, consumer products, business services and manufacturing. It provides financing for MBOs, financial restructurings, leveraged acquisitions and growth capital requirements with an investment size ranging from $5 - $20 million. It acquires controlling positions and makes co-investments with limited partners and other co-investment partners.

Fresh Matters LLC is a private company that manufactures and distributes beverages. The company is based in Prosser, WA.

Natural Food Holdings LLC manufactures natural fresh and prepared meat products. Its brands include Niman Ranch, Prairie Grove Farms and Sioux-Preme. The company was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Northbrook, IL.

Effigi, Inc. designs and develops apparel and related accessories. Its products include casual, sports and outer wear, lingerie and sleepwear, swimwear, socks, hose and tights, home decor and kitchen products. The company was founded in 1991 by Sylvain Veronneau and is headquartered in Laval, Canada.

Thoma Cressey Bravo, Inc. is a private equity investment firm. The firm is headquartered in Chicago, formerly known as Thoma Cressey Equity Partners, Inc. The firm was founded in 1997.

William Blair & Co. LLC (William Blair) is a SEC-registered broker/dealer firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The firm was founded by William McCormick Blair in 1935 and is a subsidiary of WBC Holdings LP. Until 1941, they were known as Blair, Bonner & Co. William Blair provides broking services to individual, institutional and issuing clients.

Wynnchurch Capital LLC (Wynnchurch Capital) is a private equity firm founded in 1999 by John A. Hatherly. The firm is headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois.

Advantage Capital Partners (Advantage Capital) is a private equity firm founded in 1992 by Steven T. Stull and David W. Bergmann. The firm is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.

University of Miami (Florida) is a private research university with students from around the world that is focused on teaching and learning, the discovery of new knowledge, and service to the South Florida region and beyond. The university was founded in 1925 and it is headquartered in Coral Gables, FL.

General Electric Capital Corp. provides financial products and services. Its services include commercial loans and leases, fleet management, financial programs, credit cards, personal loans, and other financial services. The firm’s solutions include energy finance and aviation finance. The company was founded in 1943 and is headquartered in Norwalk, CT.

Gryphon Investors,LLC (Gryphon Investors) is a private equity firm founded in 1995 by R.David Andrews. The firm is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Hawthorn Equity Partners, Inc. (Hawthorn Equity Partners) is a private equity firm founded in 2005. The firm is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario.

School Specialty LLC is a leading provider of comprehensive learning environment solutions for the pre-k–12 education marketplace. School Specialty is based in Greenville, WI. The private company offers essential classroom supplies, furniture and design services, educational technology, science curriculum, learning resources, professional development, funding assistance, and more. School Specialty believes that every student can flourish in an environment where they are engaged and inspired to learn and grow. The company applies its unmatched team of subject-matter experts and designs, manufactures, and distributes a broad assortment of name-brand and proprietary products. Ryan M. Bohr has been the CEO of the company since 2014.