ABOUT THE MSI TEAM
The partners of MSI have each created value across a wide range of public and private equity portfolio companies throughout their careers by working closely with management to develop and execute transformational operating and strategic plans. Our unique blend of operations, finance, M&A and private equity experiences enable us to be a valuable partner for owners, management and intermediaries in providing winning solutions across a broad range of structures, situations, industries and transaction sizes.
Over the past three decades as business leaders, MSI’s partners have built successful and collaborative, high performance cultures. This is reflected in our approach to investing and partnering with management teams as well as in our core values:
- Integrity, total transparency, and a no-surprises approach to relationships and communications
- A bias for action supported by fact-based decision making
- A deep appreciation and respect for the challenges management teams encounter to create value
- A commitment to strong alignment with investment partners and management teams in terms of strategy, objectives and incentives.
BILL WILKINS
Founder and managing Partner
30+ years in the Engineered Materials, Industrial Minerals and Aerospace/Industrial Gas Turbine sectors as a global business leader, industry consultant and private equity principal and operating partner. Experienced in strategy development and execution, manufacturing performance improvement, due diligence and acquisition target selection/integration. Worked extensively in Asia, Europe and the Americas. Prior to founding MSI, President of Minteq International, a leading provider to the global steel industry of engineered refractory materials, on-site furnace/ladle maintenance services, metal purification technologies and laser measurement and control systems. 1,000+ employees, 16 processing facilities including mining operations and 60+ steel mill services locations worldwide. Previously CEO and Director of Sermatech International Inc., a global engineered coatings applicator and specialty process business, a private equity portfolio company. Previous executive positions with Howmet Corporation, a portfolio company of the Carlyle Group, and Teleflex.
RANDY HARRISON
Partner
Randy Harrison is a private investor and consultant to the Engineered Materials and Industrial Minerals sectors. With over 35 years of business experience in North America, Europe and Asia Randy specializes in advising clients on business strategy development and execution, marketing/sales approaches, manufacturing performance and optimization via Lean techniques, organizational transformation, due diligence and acquisition target selection.
Previously, Randy was Senior Vice President of Specialty Minerals International (SMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Minerals Technologies, Inc (MTI) and a member of the executive committee. SMI is a leading provider of mineral solutions to the paper and construction industry, second and third tier automotive suppliers and brand name consumer products. In addition to his business unit duties, Randy headed the MTI global Supply Chain organization, responsible for MTI’s raw material, energy and logistics expense. He also did a stint as the global head of Human Resources and served as the secretary of the executive compensation committee for the Board of Directors.
Prior to joining MTI, Randy worked ten years for American Cyanamid, where he served in a number of marketing and sales management roles in the Industrial Chemicals Division.
GREG BUCHANAN
Operating Partner
25+ years in Aerospace and Power Generation sectors. Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Trans World Power, LLC - grew Trans World Power from a turbine parts business to an international power project development, infrastructure, EPC, construction and maintenance services company, as well as a provider of conceptual, feasibility and project execution consulting. Also Founder and Principal of Buchanan & Associates, a consulting and executive search firm focused solely on the aerospace and the power turbine markets. Buchanan & Associates have developed an international base of contacts and clientele from international conglomerates to closely held middle market private entities. Advisor to leading aerospace companies in the areas of supply chain, corporate development and acquisition strategy – Greg’s contact base is without peer in the aerospace OEM, MRO and power turbine markets. Previously a consultant at DRI, Inc., a consulting firm solely focused on reenergizing and modernizing companies in the aerospace and machined component parts verticals.
ANDY FOY
Operating Partner
35+ years in the Aerospace, Mining and Automotive sectors as a senior HR executive, retained search practice leader and HR consultant. Experienced in leadership development and coaching, performance management, organizational transformation, recruiting, due diligence and M&A/integration. Worked extensively in North America, Asia and Europe. Prior to founding Wintergreen HR Consulting, VP HR Americas for Smiths Group plc – a multinational manufacturing and technology group serving industries such as Aerospace, Medical, Energy and Industrial with 10,000+ employees, five operating divisions on five continents. Previously ran the HR organization for the Joy Global Machinery business serving the Mining industry with operations in the US, UK, South Africa and Australia. Prior to Joy Global, led HR function for the manufacturing organization of Federal Mogul, a global supplier of precision automotive components with major operations in the US, UK, Europe, Mexico and South America.
TODD GELB
Operating Partner
35+ years in the Aerospace, Medical Device and Government Contracting sectors. Experienced in business strategy development and execution, general management, strategic sourcing and new product development/commercialization. Worked extensively in North America, Europe and the Middle East. General Manager for Secant’s Technical Materials business unit – a designer, developer and manufacturer of next-generation, high-performance textiles and material solutions for the space, energy, filtration and industrial markets. Also, ran the company’s international growth initiative and global strategic sourcing. Previously ran a 400+ employee operation for BAE Systems, successfully leading a financial turnaround and cultural transformation of the business. Other roles during a 25-year career at BAE included leading contracts, legal, supplier management and product support functions in addition to running a logistics and spares business.
JOE HENDERSON
Operating Partner
25+ years turnaround and operational executive experience across broad national industries and markets in a variety of manufacturing and technology businesses. Joe’s areas of expertise include operational and executive leadership, strategic and tactical business planning, turnaround and workout execution, business development, and capital acquisition. He has served as President, Tribology Systems, Inc. (specialty bearings R&D/design/manufacturing), Turnaround Executive, Cytogen Corp. (NASDAQ-traded biotech), Turnaround Executive, Lansdale Mfg. Co. (clothing design/manufacturing), President, Ortlieb’s Philadelphia Beerworks, Ltd. (brewery and restaurant). Joe was Managing Director of BVI Capital Partners, where he oversaw acquisition portfolio growth and hiring. Prior to joining BVI, he was a turnaround executive with Nachman Hays Brownstein. Additionally, Joe was Vice President of Marketing for STM Power, a cutting-edge energy technology company with numerous patents in sterling engine technology.
TATE PURSELL
Operating Partner
30+ years as a senior operating executive, board member, and private equity principal. Co-founder and senior advisor of Unlimited Horizons Inc. - an independent private equity sponsor investing in companies that manufacture and distribute consumer durables, building and construction products, and industrial products. Worked extensively in Europe, Latin America, and Asia in corporate and PE related leadership roles. Managed acquisitions, restructurings, and industry roll-ups. Currently an independent director of Barton Group and Lectrus Corporations, a portfolio company of RFE Investment partners and Alcentra Mezzanine Partners. Previously Group President overseeing multiple operating companies for private equity firm Saunders Karp & Megrue, Operating Partner for private equity firm Cortec Group, overseeing four portfolio companies, and CEO of three operating companies of Masco Corporation -- Baldwin Hardware, American Metal Products, and the Baldwin Home Accent Stores. Previous executive positions with General Electric, Forstmann-Little, and Unilever.
GLENN WRAP
Operating Partner
35+ years in Engineered Materials, Industrial Minerals/Minerals processing, and Automotive sectors. Experienced in business strategy development and execution, global marketing/sales strategy and implementation, general management, organizational transformation, new business development and accelerating global commercialization. Worked extensively in North America, Asia and Europe. Lived in UK and managed European/Africa/India standalone businesses that included 1,000 employees and eight manufacturing sites. Developed and implemented turnaround program for a Vesuvius ceramics business in North America, then led divestment of business unit. Successful turnaround left business unit as the lone producer of these high value engineered materials in the Americas. Successfully reorganized and implemented multiple global commercial organizations. Prior to MSI, worked for Unifrax in a $280M Vice President global commercial leadership role in the Thermal Management Division. Managed profit/loss for business for two automotive business units in China.