With gratitude from my family business to yours
I grew up in a small business family. My grandfather was a skilled artist and craftsman who built an ornamental housewares factory. It was more than a business; it was the family enterprise. In the evenings, we would hear about the excitement of new customer orders, the concern with the ability to fulfill them, and the frustration with partners not acting as they said they would.
The business supported the family and paid for everyone’s education. My grandfather was very proud of this fact, but it also created new challenges. His children pursued professional careers outside the business, creating a succession problem. I recall my grandfather's difficulties selling his company and the stress it caused the family.
The desire and enjoyment that I experience from helping build a business are rooted in these early family experiences. I admire founders and owners because of the impact their businesses have on them and their families. I hope we have a chance to get to know each other, and I welcome you to reach out to me via email below to start a conversation.
Partners
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Chris Buchholz
Founder & CEO of Crew Chiefs, the world’s leading private jet pre-purchase inspection company. Before Crew Chiefs, Chris led a private jet airline as CEO from its inception to Asia Pacific's largest private jet fleet by 2010, establishing it as the world’s second busiest private jet maintenance facility.
Chris started his career at UBS and Goldman Sachs, focusing on debt capital markets and mergers & acquisitions.
Chris holds a bachelor’s degree from Oxford and an M.B.A. from M.I.T.
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Ronald Falcon
Founder and CEO of Avila Growth. Ronald has almost two decades of experience operating and investing in businesses. He has completed seven acquisitions and created and executed multiple growth strategies with McKinsey & Co.
Before founding Avila Growth, Ronald invested in small and medium enterprises while at 5CP and Palladium Equity. He held operating roles at Burger King (a 3G Capital company) and Boeing.
He holds an M.B.A from the University of Chicago, an M.S. in Systems Engineering and Architecting from the University of Southern California, a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle University, and a B.M. from Berklee College of Music. Ronald holds 12 pilot certificates and ratings.
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Kyle Hawke
Former Partner at McKinsey & Company, leading the Zero-Based Productivity practice. At McKinsey, he helped clients across industries find and allocate resources to power their growth strategy. After McKinsey, he led strategy for Local Motors, a developer of electric autonomous vehicles, and assisted STIHL, the world's leading outdoor power equipment manufacturer.
Kyle holds a bachelor's degree from James Madison University and an M.B.A from University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
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Bryan Matthews
Senior Managing Director at Soravine Advisors, a boutique investment bank specializing in middle market M&A and special situations financing. Before Soravine Advisors, he was at Credit Suisse in leverage finance and financial restructuring roles. Prior to Credit Suisse, Bryan was in the financial restructuring group at ABN AMRO Bank N.V.
Bryan holds a bachelor’s degree and an M.B.A. from Babson College.
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Bill Metera
Founder and President of Turbine Engine Support, which supports commercial and military aircraft modifications, engine solutions, and asset acquisitions. The company has been awarded over $5B in contracts. Previously, he was President of N1, managing over 400 turbine engines and two Part 145 Repair Stations, and led its sale to Honeywell Aerospace.
Bill has held senior positions at Honeywell, Delta Air Lines, and General Electric Aerospace, and served as a Crew Chief in The United States Air Force.
Bill holds a bachelor’s degree from Embry-Riddle University and is an Airframe and Powerplant and Private Pilot certificate holder.
