AUCTUS CAPITAL PARTNERS - Key Persons
Carl Cordova is a Managing Director at Auctus Capital Partners. He is a recognized leader with more than three decades of financial services and private equity experience, with demonstrated expertise advising companies across a range of consumer and industrial industries. Throughout his career, he has managed more than $500 million of capital and has served on more than 10 company boards, including Hillerich & Bradsby, the maker of Louis Ville Slugger and TPX.
Prior to joining Auctus, Mr. Cordova founded Food Cottage & Co., a platform dedicated to investing in and/or advising businesses related to the food and beverage industry. Previously, he was a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Cordova, Smart & Williams, LLC, a middle-market
private equity firm based in New York. Mr. Cordova also served as a senior Principal with Electra Fleming, Inc., which managed $ 2 billion of assets of London-based Electra Investment Trust, PLC.
Mr. Cordova earned an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a BA from Gettysburg College, where he was a Senior Scholar.
Dustin Muscato is Managing Director at Auctus Capital Partners. He is a seasoned finance professional and corporate advisor with nearly 20 years of private equity, credit, project finance, engineering, executive leadership and management experience. He has managed investments and provided strategic counsel to approximately 50 companies and organizations in industries including retail and renewable energy, infrastructure, technology, life sciences, industrials, digital marketing, eCommerce, and others.
In 2021, he launched Green Street Advisory, combining his investment and management experience, deep industry expertise and extensive network of contacts to actively advise companies on strategic growth initiatives. This includes advising on the refinancing of a trucking fleet for a NYC based transportation company, advising a tech-enabled energy retailer on strategic growth initiatives, orchestrating a JV between two utility scale solar developers, originating and advising on strategic financial and other partnerships with a distributed generation solar and storage developer, and others. In addition to his own expertise and capabilities within energy, technology, infrastructure and business in general, Dustin has built a very extensive network of industry experts, banks, strategic advisors, investors, lenders and others which he draws upon in his work.
Previously, Dustin was a Director at a NYC-based alternative asset management firm, where he was responsible for building and managing a $75M energy-focused private equity investment portfolio and a $165M direct lending portfolio of industrials, life sciences, and technology companies. In total, he executed on over $200M in investments across more than 20 transactions and successfully exited 2 private equity positions and 16 credit positions. During his tenure Dustin was responsible for the restructuring of multiple investment positions resulting in successful outcomes for the companies and investors.
Dustin co-founded the University at Buffalo Committee for Socially Responsible Investment. He serves on the Boards of Monarchy Ventures and Trade Tech AI and has previously held Board Director positions with six companies including Energy Professionals, Erus Energy (3x Inc. 5000), Greenwave Energy, and others. He was also an early advisor to SparkFund, an Energy Impact Partners portfolio company.
He earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Buffalo. Dustin is an avid skier, triathlete, and a dedicated father.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Gottfried is a highly accomplished operator, board member, strategic advisor, and investor who assists executive teams in developing, planning, and executing business models that can accelerate company growth and disrupt the markets that they serve. Glenn's insights provide a clear tactical execution plan to take a commanding position in the firm's marketplace.
Glenn's experience and insight are honed from leading multiple companies through growth and exit, formally and informally mentoring and advising the founder/CEO and executive teams of middle-market, early-stage, and startup companies. Glenn serves on multiple Boards of Directors and advisors.
Glenn earned his MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, MS in Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the
Job Titles:
- Managing Director - Healthcare & Life Science
Over the past 20 years, John Duguid has managed more than 200 public and private investments to generate portfolio growth and positive returns in the life sciences and medical technology space. He
Jonathan DeVito is an Associate at Auctus Capital Partners where he supports the firm's investment banking activities. Prior to joining Auctus, Jonathan spent over 10 years as a management consultant and led engagements across the US, Europe, and Latin America for technology, healthcare, and manufacturing clients.
Jonathan also has unique operating expertise in logistics and spent many years on the front lines of American industry as a truck driver hauling freight across the upper-Midwest.
Jonathan holds an MBA, Beta Gamma Sigma, from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, a BA in anthropology, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and an Illinois Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) with HazMat, Doubles/Triples, and Tanker endorsements. He is also pursuing his Master of Science in Accountancy at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Jonathan's personal interests include literature, nutrition and exercise science, Eastern Bloc society, and Baroque art history.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director - Emerging Growth & Technology
Keenan brings nearly 10 years of experience in technology investment banking and focuses on sell side and capital raise mandates. With a background in engineering and technology entrepreneurship, Keenan takes a data-driven approach to financings and incorporates technology, collaboration and proactive organization to execute rounds and raise capital in a timely, efficient manner. Keenan has been directly involved in over $350MM of transactions and has built a specialty in broad technology verticals focused on growth and M&A transactions. Keenan is based in Chicago and in spare time enjoys anything with cars, golf or watersports (preferably not while upside down).
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate, Business Development
Levi Getz is an Associate at Auctus Capital Partners, supporting the firm's deal origination efforts by identifying and originating lower middle market financing and M&A clients in relevant sectors. Prior to joining Auctus, Levi was an Executive Recruiting Associate at Heidrick & Struggles, where he specialized in hiring executive-level talent in the Artificial Intelligence, and Data and Analytics verticals.
From 2020 - 2022, Levi served as a Financial Analyst at United Airlines in their Digital Technology group. Here, he supported forecasting and financial analytics for their $3B+ ancillary revenue portfolio, in addition to evaluating the viability of large-scale digital technology capital projects. Levi currently serves on the Associate Board of the Cook County Health Foundation.
Graduating in 2020 from the University of Michigan with honors, Levi completed programs in Economics, Business Administration, and Performing Arts Management. Outside of the office, he enjoys producing music, reading, strategy games, and playing soccer.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director, Growth Advisory
Mark Jacobs brings 30 years of experience in executive leadership guiding major growth initiatives and turn around efforts using Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Sales & Operations Planning, Category Development, leadership development, and technology-driven processes.
Job Titles:
- General Counsel
- Partner
- General Counsel and Operating Partner
Matthew R. Pacella currently serves as General Counsel and Operating Partner to a variety of technology companies and is an investor and partner in Auctus. Mr. Pacella's portfolio includes VikingPeak Energy, a renewable energy facility development platform company, Ecogensus, a
Job Titles:
- Partner & Member, Board of Directors
- Venture Capital and Private Equity Investor
Mr. Michael J. O'Meara is an experienced venture capital and private equity investor with a successful track record of originating, structuring, and exiting private investments in early stages and growth
Mr. Azfar is the CEO and Managing Partner at Auctus Capital Partners, overseeing investment banking activities and the firm's strategic direction. In the last decade, he has been directly involved in over fifty financing and M&A assignments totaling over $1 Billion across a range of industry sectors, including technology, health care, and industrials.
Prior to Auctus, Mr. Azfar served as managing director and partner at MSC Advisors, held vice president and director positions at Houlihan Smith & Company, and analyst positions with Advisory and Intermediary Services, LLC. He is a FINRA-registered investment banking representative and holds series 79, 82, and 63 securities licenses and series 24 general securities principal. He was also the CEO and Chief Compliance Officer for Auctus Securities, LLC, a FINRA member broker-dealer.
Mr. Azfar is a graduate of Harvard Business School, a founding member of the Chicago chapter of Exit Planning Exchange (XPX), and an active member of Chicago-based non-profits supporting underprivileged and inner-city youth, and serves as an active board member of multiple companies in the Technology, Consumer Services, Business Services space.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Finance
- Director
- Leader
Ovais Siddiqui is a seasoned corporate finance leader with over 15 years of experience in financial services. As Director at Auctus Capital, Ovais brings deep expertise in corporate finance, M&A execution, and strategy, refined through his extensive career in diverse financial institutions and advisory firms. He is an expert in leading transactions through all phases, ensuring strategic alignment and optimal outcomes. His industry knowledge and network with key players help clients with smooth, well-executed engagements. Throughout his career, Ovais has participated in cumulative M&A transactions valued at over $1 billion and growth capital/debt funding of approximately $1 billion.
Before joining Auctus Capital, Ovais was Vice President at PMCF Advisors, where he primarily focused on services sector transactions, including business services and healthcare services. Prior to PMCF, he served as Jr. Vice President at Auctus Capital Partners as a generalist. Ovais has international experience from roles at CBQ Bank in Qatar and EmiratesNBD Bank in Dubai, where he managed large corporate portfolios, improved returns through strategic restructuring, and ensured compliance with regulatory audits. He began his career at Habib Bank AG Zurich, managing a diversified portfolio of medium to large corporate clients across various sectors.
Ovais holds an MBA in Corporate Finance and Entrepreneurship from Babson College, an MBA in Finance from the Institute of Business Administration in Karachi, and a BE in Mechanical Engineering from NED University of Engineering & Technology in Karachi. He is a CFA Level II candidate and a FINRA-registered investment banking representative, holding Series 79, 82, and 63 securities licenses. Recognized as a Future Finance Leader by Oracle and an ACG Scholar, Ovais's expertise in finance is well-regarded. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found companies in the IT services, home products, and healthcare sectors.
At Auctus Capital, Ovais is committed to leveraging his extensive experience to drive growth and deliver exceptional value to clients and stakeholders.
Job Titles:
- Senior Managing Director
- Senior Managing Director, Growth Advisory
Mr. Greisman is a Senior Managing Director and oversees the Auctus Capital Partners Business Growth and Owner Advisory practice. Prior to joining Auctus Capital, Mr. Greisman ran his own management consulting firm, serving owners of small and mid-sized businesses.
Mr. Greisman brings over three decades of experience advising business owners, both as a partner at two major CPA firms and in his own firm.
Over the years, Mr. Greisman has served on the boards and as an active member of several professional and charitable groups. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Chicago Chapter of the Exit Planning Exchange.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Managing Director at Auctus Capital Inc
Tom Keenan is a Managing Director at Auctus Capital Inc in the firm's Transportation & Logistics Group. Tom has extensive experience working with clients across the transportation, logistics and supply chain industries, with a strategic focus on the asset-based trucking industry. Tom has been a critical component in the advisory goals for clients in their mergers and acquisitions assignments, asset purchases, capital raisings and divestitures.
Tom started his career in the transportation industry with Keenan Transit Co. as a third-generation owner of a private firm providing logistics solutions as a dedicated supplier. Tom has been instrumental in the advisory and development of all aspects of the supply chain. With a passion for launching logistics firms in the transportation space, including brokerage, intermodal, warehousing, LTL and FTL, while working under union and non-union corporate structures, Tom has gleaned a unique perspective in all aspects of the transportation industry. He is based out of our Chicago office
Education: M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame, Mendoza School of Business and B.A. from Loras College
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Business Development
- Vice President of Business Development With
William Knoch is the Vice President of Business Development with Auctus Capital Partners and has over 15 years of corporate finance and business development experience. Starting as a Research Analyst at Madison Street Capital, he was promoted to Senior Associate in his first year and was chosen to represent the firm's expansion into the UK at their Oxford Office.
He joins Auctus after his most recent position as a Senior Associate with an international fundraising and consulting firm in Dubai where he helped global companies enter the emerging markets in the GCC and APAC regions to raise capital and secure commercial partnerships. His insight into different economies and cultures deepened his investor relations experience by working with top-tier sponsors, family offices, and strategies.
William earned his BA in Business/Corporate Communications from Northern Illinois University. Outside of the office, he enjoys music, martial arts, reading, and fishing.