LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gallant Capital Partners (“Gallant”), an operationally focused lower middle market private equity firm, announced today that Desmond Nugent, former Managing Director of OpenGate Capital, has joined the firm as a Partner and Head of Operations.
“We are excited to be working with Desmond again,” said Jon Gimbel, Partner at Gallant. “Desmond brings a perspective to Gallant that is only obtained through years of experience operating and advising businesses and we believe he will have an immediate impact on the Gallant team and our investments.”
Gallant Partner Anthony Guagliano added, “There is no learning curve with Desmond as we have a long-term relationship and worked closely together in the past. He is an experienced operator and we are confident that he will provide invaluable leadership and support to Gallant’s portfolio companies.”
“I am excited to be working with Jon and Anthony again and to join Gallant at this stage of the firm’s evolution,” said Nugent. “I believe the firm has a unique approach to driving value creation and I look forward to providing operational and strategic support to Gallant’s portfolio company management teams.”
In addition to the hiring of Desmond, Gallant also announced today that Chris Suen and Amish Tolia previously joined the firm as vice presidents and Justin Shand and Jonathan Ramirez have joined the firm as associates.
Desmond has 15 years of operating experience, most recently as Managing Director at OpenGate Capital where he led operational due diligence and oversaw operations for the firm’s North American portfolio companies. Prior to OpenGate, Nugent was a Principal with The Gores Group in Los Angeles where he worked alongside Jon and Anthony. At OpenGate and Gores, Nugent held board and operational leadership positions and was responsible for portfolio company financial oversight, partnering with the management teams to drive revenue growth, operational effectiveness, and profit improvement. Nugent earned his MBA from Columbia University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Accounting from Queens University of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Accounting from the University of Ulster, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Prior to joining Gallant, Chris Suen was a member of the investment team at EQT Partners in New York, and previously at The Gores Group in Los Angeles where he worked alongside Jon and Anthony evaluating and executing investment opportunities in the technology, telecommunications, business services, industrial and healthcare sectors. Prior to joining The Gores Group, Chris worked in the investment banking division at Macquarie and J.P. Morgan.
Prior to joining Gallant, Amish Tolia was the Head of Sales and Business Development for Peloton Document Solutions (Peloton), an enterprise software platform for the financial services industry. Previous to Peloton, he was a member of the investment team at The Gores Group where he worked alongside Jon and Anthony evaluating and executing investment opportunities across a range of sectors. Prior to joining The Gores Group, Amish worked in the investment banking division at Lehman Brothers.
Prior to joining Gallant, Justin Shand worked in the investment banking division at Houlihan Lokey and Jonathan Ramirez worked in the investment banking division at Piper Jaffray.
About Gallant Capital Partners
Gallant Capital Partners is a private equity firm that makes control investments in technology, industrial and business services companies. Gallant executes on an operationally focused investment strategy with a focus on partnering closely with companies that can benefit from its extensive industry relationships and operating expertise. The firm partners with owners, founders, family-owned companies and management teams to maximize value and long-term, sustainable growth for portfolio companies. Gallant Capital Partners was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information please visit: www.gallantcapital.com.
