We’re here to support the changemakers
Technology can create truly transformative change, and its role in business is only growing.
In the past two years, more than $1T has been invested in software companies at record prices. In many cases, the underlying tech is the greatest enabler to the strategy. But has the approach to govern technology value creation caught up to the magnitude of the risk?
We believe a better way is possible – a more programmatic, proactive approach to actively manage technology throughout the investment lifecycle – and that’s what we do.
A proven methodology
Our proven diligence and delivery methodology empowers clients with the technology to stay competitive and profitable in an ever-changing environment.
We harness data-driven intelligence from our proprietary TechIndicators® platform to deliver tailored solutions that enable informed investment decisions and achieve higher value at exit.
A world-class team
Our team of world-class certified practitioners each have over twenty years of deep domain expertise as former CTOs, CIOs, Chief Architects and Chief Engineers. They demonstrate their chops by rolling up their sleeves and working side by side with your team to help leave a lasting thumbprint on your organization.
With each engagement, our team will share knowledge and best practices to elevate your team’s capabilities and accelerate future value of your technology investments.
How it started
Crosslake’s roots are based in the technology hub of Seattle, where the founder earned his chops as an original member of Microsoft’s Engineering Excellence team. Starting in 2010, he built a global tech advisory of experienced technology and software development practitioners with expertise in product management, development, quality and operations. From the opposite coast, the founder of Corsis® was building a similar team and a unique TechIndicators® platform designed to bring data-driven objectivity to the black box of technology and disrupt traditional consulting solutions.
How it's going
In 2021, Crosslake and Corsis united to expand their ability to drive end-to-end value for investors and management teams. With that integration, the real-world expertise of Crosslake’s technologists is now complemented by objective scoring against benchmarks based on thousands of technology investments – creating a data-driven formula for actionable insights and transformative outcomes. In 2022, we expanded our expert community of practitioners with the addition of teams from Renna Partners, specializing in IT diligence, and VantagePoint, a cybersecurity practice. Crosslake is now better positioned than ever to help changemakers buy, build and run technology that creates value.
Our guiding values
Service
Our passion is empowering the success of our clients and colleagues.
Curiosity
We believe great advice starts with deep understanding.
Credibility
Our expertise is earned and proven.
Commitment
It’s our privilege to serve clients in their critical moments.
Creativity
We are inspired by the constant pursuit of better.
Real-world experience. Pragmatic perspective.
Passionate about serving clients.
Leadership
Directors
Client Relations
Advisory Board
Barr comes to Crosslake from global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, where he was a partner in the Transformation and Private Equity practices and served as managing partner of the firm's Charlotte, North Carolina office. Barr has extensive experience advising private equity firms, portfolio companies and Fortune 500 clients on strategic and transformational initiatives.
Barr Blanton
Chief Executive Officer
Gregg has been using technology to solve business challenges for more than 25 years, pioneering many of the technology solutions that have revolutionized the marketing, healthcare and technology diligence industries. He is an accomplished entrepreneur and executive, with a passion for building scalable business infrastructure. His rich history of transformative growth has been central to private and public exits valued at more than $1 billion.
Gregg Alwine
Chief Operating Officer
With more than 30 years of leadership experience in technology and engineering, including 18 years with Microsoft Engineering, Kim has both strategic vision and proven expertise in execution. She has a track record of leading large teams using an agile and iterative approach to optimize resourcing and deliver on time and within budget. During her career, she has cultivated an excellent reputation as a cross-team collaborator and is known for her aptitude in solving business problems through a mix of process improvements and technological innovations.
Kim Walters
Senior Managing Director
Manish is a seasoned professional services executive with more than 25 years of experience growing and developing client-first companies from near inception to transformative growth. As CRO of Collaborative Solutions, he grew the company from less than $10M in sales to more than $200M in sales, leading to an acquisition by Cognizant. His depth and breadth of global experience, across multiple industries and technologies, serves as an asset to any firm looking to grow.
Manish Patel
Chief Client Officer
Matt brings significant experience in senior leadership roles spanning the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. From scaling start-up ventures to driving strategic initiatives for established industry leaders, he has developed rich finance and operations experience while building a track record of guiding strategic growth.
Matt Lehigh
Chief Financial Officer
Kerri brings more than 25 years of corporate marketing and agency experience to Crosslake. In prior roles, she has worked in healthcare, pharmacy, technology-enabled services, consulting, finance and technology. Over the last decade, she has specialized in leading marketing, branding, go-to-market and creative strategy for start-up, PE-funded and publicly-traded companies. Her focus is on addressing the marketing needs of high-growth, recurring-revenue businesses as they transition through times of rapid change.
Kerri Atkinson
Vice President, Marketing
Jim has helped large global companies enable some of the most integrated and automated supply chains on the planet. Having held several executive-level positions in software, engineering and consulting organizations, including Toshiba Semiconductor and Viasat, Jim brings nearly 30 years of experience in information technology, operations and management consulting. A proven leader in innovation-focused results, his passion for using IT as a competitive differentiator has helped Global 100 companies such as Cisco, Sony Electronics, Foxconn, Flextronics and DB Schenker with M&A, cross-enterprise integration and IT transformation.
Jim Daniel
Managing Director, Information Technology and Corporate Systems
With 20+ years in technology and professional services, Austin applies his deep experience in technology strategy to advise enterprise clients in value creation and risk management across the M&A lifecycle. With expertise spanning SaaS, technology-enabled services, financial services, biotech, healthcare, e-commerce and digital media, he is known for delivering enterprise solutions focused on maximizing the business value of technology investments.
Austin Rowan
Managing Director
Bryan has successfully driven strategic and transformational change in global software organizations for over 15 years. He has extensive experience advising and partnering with private equity firms and their portfolio companies to generate enterprise value rapidly. Bryan’s recent experience includes Vista Equity Partners and ST6 Partners, where he transformed software companies across various stages ranging from SMB to Enterprise. His primary expertise is M&A diligence and integration, business systems architecture and instilling operational excellence.
Bryan Myers
Managing Director
Charity has over 20 years of leadership experience in engineering product management, product management and operations management. She has proven expertise leading organizational transformations and developing global teams to create data-driven solutions to solve complex, ambiguous problems using an agile, iterative approach. Leveraging her experience at companies such as Microsoft, Intel and Oracle, Charity is adept at cross-team collaboration and value creation through process improvements and technological innovation.
Charity Elkins
Managing Director
Danny has more than 16 years of professional experience in the cybersecurity industry in various operating, advisory, and leadership roles for organizations across various industries and sizes. In these roles, he has designed, built, implemented and managed dozens of cyber security, privacy and compliance programs in security-sensitive industries, including legal (eDiscovery), large enterprise, healthcare, financial and government. Organizations value his ability to translate deep technical issues into practical and understandable guidance and actions supporting overall business objectives.
Danny Tijerina
Managing Director
David is an experienced technology executive with more than 30 years of experience in software product development and product management. His experience includes CTO, VP of Product Management, and line of business leadership in EdTech companies, including SunGard Higher Education, as well as 10 years at PwC advising private equity investors and working with their portfolio companies to improve performance and profitability. David’s primary expertise is product management and new product commercialization, technology strategy and software product development.
David Murray
Managing Director
David has led regional and divisional technology businesses in the US, Brazil, Europe and Australia for more than 25 years. An expert in data-driven, root-cause analysis of business problems, David has transformed support, engineering, and sales and marketing teams to support business growth through innovative initiatives that improve customer experience and operational excellence.
David van Toor
Managing Director
Francis is an experienced architecture and engineering leader, focused on delivering game-changing digital transformation outcomes through pragmatic people, process, technology and information strategies. After a 20+ year career with Microsoft, which culminated in the role of Chief Enterprise Architect, Francis has more recently led technology transformation at T-Mobile, driven digital ambition strategy for Bose Corporation and transformed product engineering at F5 Networks as a Crosslake client.
Francis Gan
Managing Director
Mike has over 15 years of experience spanning a variety of roles, from a consulting advisory capacity to building, operating and growing his own businesses. He has deep technical knowledge and has worked for several private equity-backed software businesses, enterprise software service integrators and digital agencies. He has spent over seven years in M&A transaction advisory having supported hundreds of technical assessments on behalf of financial sponsors.
Mike Bestvina
Managing Director
With a global career spanning over 30 years, Neal has worked for and with start-ups, scale-ups and major technology companies such as Microsoft and IBM in a broad variety of roles. Using a wealth of skills and experience in software, SaaS and service delivery, he helps clients assess, transform and deliver value from their technology investments.
Neal Fiske
Managing Director
Rohan has over 17 years of experience in the cybersecurity industry with deep expertise in security strategy, security architecture, infrastructure security, cloud security, application security, security operations, incident response and regulatory compliance. He has successfully designed, implemented, and supported security, compliance and privacy programs for global companies of varying sizes and types, from small start-ups to large enterprises in the financial, technology, eDiscovery and healthcare sectors. He is passionate about delivering actionable security objectives aligned with companies' overall business objectives.
Rohan Kotian
Managing Director
With nearly 25 years of professional experience, Sean has worked on 400+ M&A transactions, helping public companies, private equity firms and private companies with evaluating and completing such transactions. In particular, he brings a combination of functional and technical skills that provide a holistic understanding of how to best utilize technology. He has served in many different executive roles, including Practice Leader, CIO and CFO, and understands essential aspects of business strategy, risk and growth with sharp strategic insights.
Sean Lyons
Managing Director
A versatile technology entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in software product engineering and technology due diligence, Thomas is responsible for ensuring that Crosslake deploys the right solutions for our clients. As a trusted advisor to private equity firms, he has guided investors through the complexities of over 350 M&A transactions in the software industry over the past decade.
Thomas Shelford
Managing Director
Todd has decades of experience leading IT organizations to drive business results at industry leaders such as Advance Auto Parts, Carquest Auto Parts, LabCorp, and General Electric, serving twice as CIO. Clients value his practical and understandable guidance on a wide range of IT questions and challenges.
Todd Bolon
Managing Director
Blake has instilled strategic operational efficiencies and led transformational initiatives in companies ranging from startups to enterprises over the past 12 years. He has extensive experience across various industries, launching complex programs, organizing cross-functional engagements and helping companies scale to create enterprise value for publicly traded and private equity portfolio companies. Blake leverages strong portfolio management capabilities to drive simultaneous deployments for better change management with one central goal – to create scalable enterprise architecture with highly repeatable and automated processes.
Blake Hooks
Director, Delivery Services
Breen has more than 35 years of leadership experience in advanced technology development and executive management in creating internet products and services, from strategy to release. With a proven history of building innovative software in search engines, critical infrastructure cybersecurity custom appliances, performance advertising, and online payments products, he is well versed in recruiting, inspiring, and leading teams to success. In his tenure with Crosslake, Breen has led over 100 technical due diligence projects for private equity and portfolio companies.
Gagan has over 25 years of history with roles that span from strategic, individual contributor positions in start-up technology organizations to Vice President roles for global product development teams of over 300 members in enterprise software companies. His experience includes software engineering, QA, technical project management, product design and Information Technology. Gagan prides himself on evolving and transforming current situations and environments to enable exceptional outcomes.
John has been fortunate to experience high-growth and innovative companies throughout his career. The first 20 years were spent in the online intermediary sector of the travel industry, during which he was part of the technology vanguard of an industry that emerged, evolved, and consolidated, dealing with previously unencountered problems of scale. This has been followed by a consulting career delivering diligence and technology transformation projects to various businesses, from start-ups to long-established entities.
Kenny is a seasoned product management leader with over 20 years of experience building products, processes, and teams within start-ups, high-growth organizations, and global market leaders. His background includes leading as the VP of Product Management, where he led new product development and platform transformation across B2C, B2B and SaaS businesses such as e-Commerce, automotive, FinTech and human resources. Kenny’s expertise spans product vision, strategy, execution and GTM, including recognition for design and innovation.
Kenny Goldstein
Director, Delivery Services
Michael is a senior IT executive with 35 years of experience across a diverse industry background. He possesses a solid track record of quantifiable success at maximizing a company’s ROI for its technology and human capital. Michael is a strategic leader who views innovation, IT infrastructure, solutions development, application development and operations as the cornerstones to assisting the organization’s ability to achieving its long-term strategic goals. He is an experienced executive who understands the importance of having an active-collaborative approach to aligning the business with information technology.
Rick has held executive-level positions as CIO, CTO and COO for public companies for over 20 years and possesses extensive technology and operations experience across various industries. He has also served as president of a managed service provider and provided enterprise systems advisory. Rick is very energetic, thriving on leadership and working with teams. He leverages strong analytical and managerial skills in developing and implementing effective business strategies, technology due diligence, technology exploitation, operational improvement and management of successful change.
Steve has over 20 years of technology and leadership experience with practical, enterprise-level proficiency through roles in numerous multi-national organizations. He leverages his deep technical and business knowledge to deliver positive change through technology solutions, creating high-performing teams with an innovative and inquisitive approach to organizational practices. Steve’s strategic mindfulness and delivery focus are coupled with a hands-on leadership approach.
Uma has 25+ years of experience leading global engineering teams at companies including Mitchell, EMC and Captiva. Uma is passionate about operational efficiency, organizational design, scaling up and digital transformation. He enjoys building high performance teams and helping leaders achieve their highest potential.
Alison is an accomplished client relations executive with 25+ years of experience helping clients navigate and spur growth in the fast-changing technical environment.
Alison Hayes
Director, Client Relations
Evan is a proven business and technology transformation partner with ten years of experience helping clients deliver game-changing outcomes through the quality of technology.
Evan Fassler
Director, Client Relations
Jaimin is a proven business and technology transformation partner with over ten years of experience helping clients deliver game-changing outcomes through the quality of technology. His background consists of SaaS platforms, healthcare technology, managed services, data management, financial services and supporting over 300 diligence and technical advisory projects. At Crosslake, Jaimin aids private equity firms and their portfolio companies in realizing the technical potential of their investments through thoughtful buy-side diligence, value creation strategy and successful exit planning.
Jaimin Patel
Director, Client Relations
Jared is a proven business and technology leader with 15 years of experience helping clients deliver game-changing outcomes through the quality of technology. His background spans SaaS platforms, data backup and recovery, IoT, blockchain and financial services. At Crosslake, Jared supports some of the world's largest private equity firms and their portfolio companies through the investment lifecycle as it relates to technology.
Jared Burke
Director, Client Relations
Jenny has over 11 years of experience partnering with clients in the software, technology, and financial industries. Jenny has worked at large corporations, such as PTC and Datasite (previously Merrill Corporation), and growth stage start-ups to drive increased market awareness and revenue. Jenny received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Michigan State University and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA degree at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Jenny Mills
Director, Client Relations
Joshua is an experienced commercial leader with over ten years of experience working in the technology and services industry, advising on transformations, helping scale tech teams and promoting agile at pace across the whole organization.
Joshua Philpott
Director, Client Relations
Shay is a seasoned technology professional with six years of experience specializing in enterprise transformation. He partners with companies to help align business and technology to accelerate growth, assisting companies to improve cash flow by improving their technology investment strategy and processes. Shay’s recent experience with Oracle includes driving infrastructure transformation at Intel, Walmart, T-Mobile and AT&T. Shay earned a BSc in Business and Economics from the University of Texas (Austin).
Shay Patel
Director, Client Relations
Cam is a private equity investor focused on technology-enabled businesses. He previously served as Director and Partner of The Carlyle Group, which he joined in 2002. During his 19 years with Carlyle, where he co-led Carlyle’s global TMT and Business Services Sector, Mr. Dyer successfully completed investments across application software, data and information technology, IT Services and infrastructure businesses including: CommScope (NASDAQ:COMM), Dealogic, ION, OpenLink Financial, ProKarma, SS&C Technologies (NASDAQ:SSNC), and Workforce Logiq. Prior to joining Carlyle, Mr. Dyer was an associate with the private equity firm William Blair Capital Partners, a consultant with Bain & Company, and an investment banking analyst in the M&A Group of Bowles, Hollowell, Conner & Co. Mr. Dyer earned his MBA with High Distinction from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar, and his BS, Magna Cum Laude, from Washington & Lee University. He is currently a Senior Advisor to Carlyle; serves on the board of directors of CadenceRX, EFJA (NASDAQ:EJFA), ProKarma, and Workforce Logiq; and serves on the advisory board of WSC & Co.
Campbell R. Dyer
Senior Advisor
Gordon is an experienced public/private company board member and accomplished technology executive. For 20 years, he was an executive with Cognizant Technology Solutions, where he helped to lead Cognizant from being a nascent IT outsourcing firm to becoming a world-leading consulting and technology organization. During Gordon’s tenure, which included roles as CFO, COO and president, Cognizant successfully navigated the dot.com bubble, the financial crisis, increased competition, changing regulatory environments and multiple technology waves. Through this changing environment, he helped Cognizant achieve impressive operating and financial milestones, including: increasing revenue from $25M to $13B+, improving market capitalization from $100M to $34B, growing headcount from 1,000 to 255,000, expanding global operations to 40+ countries, completing 30+ acquisitions and completing both an IPO and a split-off exchange offering.
Mr. Coburn earned a BA in History from Wesleyan University, where he serves on the President’s Advisory Council, and an MBA from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College, where he served on the MBA Advisory Board.
Gordon Coburn
Senior Advisor
Kevin is a three-time CEO and experienced leader of growth-oriented technology and tech-enabled service organizations within the financial services sector. Formerly, as CEO at Gemini Fund Services, he significantly improved the revenue and profitability of the company prior to its sale to GTCR in 2019. As CEO at Primatics Financial, he transformed the business from a tech-enabled services company to a SaaS provider of complex accounting solutions for the banking sector prior to the company being purchased by SS&C in 2016. And during his 12-year tenure at OpenLink Financial, where Kevin served in progressive roles as CFO, COO and CEO, Kevin grew the company from less than $10M in revenue and a team of 100 professionals to more than $325M in revenue and a team of 1,250 professionals. Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree from Fordham University.
Kevin Hesselbirg
Senior Advisor
Advance your business technology and reach the next level of performance.