our team 2023

Our Team

Diverse experience.
A singular approach.

Our team consists of world-class, certified practitioners — each with more than twenty years of deep domain expertise as former CTOs, CIOs, Chief Architects and Chief Engineers.

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.

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.

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.

Our guiding values

Service


Curiosity


Credibility


Commitment


Creativity


Real-world experience. Pragmatic perspective.
And a passion for serving clients.

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

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

Sarah is a finance leader with firsthand expertise in private equity M&A transactions. She has led investment processes and corporate development projects as CFO at PE-backed businesses in the technology sector. And as a corporate finance consultant at PwC, in Manchester, UK, she spent 10 years advising businesses and the PE community on growth funding, group restructuring and PE exits.

Sarah Wilkinson
Vice President, EMEA Finance and Operations

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

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

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

Dmitry brings to Crosslake deep expertise and operational focus in software engineering and IT spanning the entire private equity deal lifecycle, along with significant experience in structuring and executing carve-outs / divestitures. As a partner in PwC’s private equity services practice and at other leading consultancies, Dmitry served private equity sponsors focused on technology-based industries in the domains of software product engineering and tech-enabled services. Most recently, he served as managing director for a product and tech value creation team at Vista Equity Partners.

Dmitry Kordysh
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

Stephen is a seasoned operational and technology executive with over 25 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity. He leverages his experience to bridge the gap between technology and business operations and has a passion for identifying and solving complex challenges and uncovering opportunities for growth, scale, and practical solutions to realize them.
Stephen previously held leadership roles at Houlihan Lokey as the Head of Technology and Cybersecurity Transaction Advisory and KPMG, where he served as National Pre-Close Technology and Cybersecurity Leader.

Stephen Lee
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

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.

Steve White
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

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.

Breen Liblong
Director

David’s expertise encompasses all aspects of complex software delivery, with a focus on delivering maximum business value through effective governance and optimized delivery processes. He brings 20+ years of experience in diverse positions, including development, product ownership, product management, project and program management, operations, account management, and consultancy. His industry experience is equally diverse and includes roles as business systems owner at NISA, product owner for Pets at Home, and developer of strategy and program design for Avantia. Since 2017, David has specialized in diligence and support for private equity, successfully establishing the Intechnica practice in the UK and contributing to hundreds of engagements.

David Horton
Director, EMEA Advisory

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.

Gagan Singh
Director

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

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.

Michael Young
Director

Neil is a delivery director with expertise in leading complex programs in digital transformation, software engineering, data science and machine learning. As a senior director in application management for Concentrix, Neil was responsible for the management and strategy of 120 global corporate and call center applications, leading an international team of platform managers. He is also a former IT operations director with experience leading delivery of IT services across EMEA. ​Neil has deep experience in delivery leadership, application strategy, IT operations, infrastructure, M&A and IT integration focusing on increasing and protecting client revenue.​

Neil Andrews
Delivery Director

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.

Rick Eiberg
Director

Uma has 25+ years of experience leading global engineering teams at companies including Mitchell, EMC & 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. 

Uma Palepu
Director

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

With 15 years of commercial experience, Ben excels in helping clients optimize the value of their technology investments. He is passionate about technical transformation and leverages his multilingual skills (he’s fluent in English, French and Spanish!) to engage effectively with clients across the EMEA region.

Ben Morton
Director, Client Relations

Libby helps businesses make the most of their technology throughout the investment life cycle. She is passionate about delivering technology diligence insights that are digestible and focused on business outcomes. Over the last eight years, she’s helped hundreds of businesses understand how to present their technology in its best light to potential new investors.

Elizabeth Hyde
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

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

Penelope is an experienced commercial leader with a wealth of experience in technology and private equity. She is known for cultivating strong partnerships that drive success and growth. 

Penelope Sowden
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

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