Wexford Capital Partners

Wexford Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on companies where our experience and relationships will create value for both existing shareholders and our network of investors. We are actively seeking lower middle market industrial, consumer and financial services opportunities, including lightly stressed companies and family-owned businesses with ownership transition challenges.

Collegial

We are not driven by a specific transaction type or structure; rather we are interested in collaborating with founders and management to identify the core strengths, needs, and opportunities of current business operations. Once a business plan is agreed upon, our role is to bring capital and human resources to achieve that plan.

Capital

We will use our extensive knowledge of banking and capital markets to develop efficient capital structures. Our network of investors are primarily family offices and other non-institutional capital sources that are not bound by typical private equity hold periods. We prefer to partner with these investors because they will invest across the capital structure, share our interest in long-term value creation and are knowledgeable about interests and concerns of the family and entrepreneurial businesses.

Relationships

After our investment, we will provide strategic and financial perspectives from our extensive network of industry and professional contacts. The experience and capabilities of these individuals have proven to be a valuable resource to management teams.

Robert Barnett

Bob Barnett formed Wexford Capital Partners, LLC in early 2013 as an independent sponsor platform for principal investing, and has completed a number of private equity transactions.

Bob was a partner at a boutique M&A advisory firm, and was previously a Managing Director and Sector Head of BMO Capital Markets’ (formerly Harris Nesbitt) Commercial and Industrial Group. This group provided Investment Banking and Corporate Banking Services to mid-sized companies in Capital Goods, Transportation, Packaging and Basic Material Industries. Prior to joining BMO in 2004, he was head of Midwest Large Corporate Banking for Bank One Corporation until its merger with JP Morgan Chase. He had been with Bank One and its predecessors (First Chicago and NBD) since 1981, when he joined National Bank of Detroit as a Credit Analyst trainee.

Bob holds an MBA in Finance (1981) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics (1978), both from the University of Michigan. He previously held Series 27, 7 and 63 NASD Securities Licenses.

Bob is a long serving member of the Boards of Directors of Chicago Children’s Museum (currently Chairman) and Leadership Greater Chicago (currently outgoing President), and has been a sponsor of an urban student in LINK Unlimited. He is also on the Leadership Council for Horizons for Youth, and is a member of the University Club of Chicago. Bob is the former Chair of the Alumni Board of Governors of the Ross Business School at the University of Michigan.

Bob is a Senior Advisor with Verit Advisors, a Chicago-based boutique investment banking firm specializing in ESOP transactions.

Company Size/Stage

EBITDA greater than $2 million
Later stage growth companies
Mature businesses

Company Types

Manufacturing, consumer, distribution, and services
Proprietary products or emerging brand name
Participating in an industry with positive growth trends

Transaction Types

Situations specific to privately held companies, including ownership succession or diverging long-term interests of family shareholders
Financial restructurings and recapitalizations in which a company is under-performing due to insufficient capital and management resources
Opportunities to build attractive businesses through strategic consolidations
Carve-outs and divestitures

Urban Therapy/Twisted Sista

London Originated Salon Inspired branded hair care line catering to the needs of the multicultural/textured consumer internationally through multiple retail channels and ecommerce.

RISE Group (Arcadis)

Management consulting company delivering expert program management, project management, strategic planning and technical advisory services to clients who are developing and investing in major buildings and infrastructure projects, as well as other capital improvements.

Robert F. Barnett, III

312.636.3277

rbarnett@wexfordcp.com

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