People

Founder and Managing Partner

Gerry Cardinale

Gerry Cardinale is the Founder and Managing Partner of the firm.

Prior to founding RedBird, Gerry spent 20 years at Goldman Sachs where he was a Partner of the firm and a senior leader of the Merchant Bank’s private equity investing business, which managed over $100 billion of private capital investments across equity, debt, real estate and infrastructure investment strategies.

During his tenure, Gerry worked with entrepreneurs and family business owners to build several successful multi-billion-dollar platform companies, including the Yankees Entertainment & Sports (“YES”) Network, the #1 Regional Sports Network in the United States; Legends Hospitality, a premium ticketing, concessions and merchandising services company which was created in partnership with the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Yankees; and Suddenlink Communications, which was the 7th largest American cable company at the time it was acquired by Altice USA.

Gerry currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Aethon United, one of the largest independent, privately held upstream and midstream natural gas producers in the Haynesville; (ii) Compass Datacenters, a developer and owner of wholesale build-to-suit data centers for hyperscale cloud, software, and enterprise customers; (iii) OneTeam Partners, a partnership with the Players Associations of the National Football League (“NFL”) and Major League Baseball (“MLB”) to monetize the Name, Image and Likeness (“NIL”) of the collective players; (iv) RedBird FC, a multi-club European football platform driven by data-analytics via a partnership with some of the top analytics-focused executives in sport; (v) RedBird QSR, a diversified quick-service restaurant platform; (vi) Skydance Media, a diversified content-production studio founded by David Ellison focused on subscription video on demand (“SVOD”), feature film, animation and interactive gaming; (vii) TierPoint, a leading  data center operator and provider of IT infrastructure services focused on private and hybrid cloud solutions, managed services, and retail colocation in 40+ locations across the US; (viii) Yankee Global Enterprises (“YGE”), the corporate holding company of the New York Yankees and its affiliated businesses; (ix) the Yankees Entertainment & Sports (“YES”) Network, the #1 Regional Sports Network in the United States which broadcasts the live games of the New York Yankees, Brooklyn Nets and New York City Football Club; and (x) Zenith Shipping, a portfolio of product tankers and dry bulk shipping vessels.

Philanthropically, Gerry is a Trustee of the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City and leads one of the multi-state Selection Committees that awards Rhodes Scholarships each year. Gerry received an Honors BA from Harvard University where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and an M.Phil in Politics and Political Theory from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar.

Partner

Hunter Carpenter

Hunter Carpenter is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Hunter spent the majority of his career working for The Stephens Group, a private equity firm investing the capital of the Arkansas based Stephens family, one of America’s longest-tenured private equity investors. During his time at The Stephens Group, Hunter helped launch the company as a stand-alone private equity firm, continuing the family’s extensive history of direct principal investing.

Hunter currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Aethon United, one of the largest independent, privately held upstream and midstream natural gas producers in the Haynesville; (ii) FireBird Energy, an oil and gas company with assets in the Permian Basin; (iii) Four Corners Petroleum, a Colorado-based oil and gas company that operates and develops crude oil assets on the Central Basin Platform in the Permian Basin; (iv) Lambda Energy, an oil and gas company focused on acquiring and developing assets in the Michigan Basin; (v) Majority Strategies, an influence marketing platform utilizing data, digital and print services; (vi) Tally Energy Services, a buy-and-build oilfield service platform focused on fit-for-purpose solutions for shale producers in the verticals of directional drilling, completions and artificial lift; (vii) Perdure Petroleum, an oil and gas company with enhanced oil recovery assets in Oklahoma and Texas; and (viii) Zenith Shipping, a portfolio of product tankers and dry bulk shipping vessels.

Hunter received both his B.A. and Master’s degree in Accounting from The University of Mississippi, as well as a J.D. from The University of Mississippi Law School. Hunter serves as Chairman of the Investment Committee for the University’s endowment and is a board member of the University’s private foundation.

Partner

Robert Covington

Robert Covington is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Robert spent six years as a Managing Director of The Stephens Group, LLC, a private equity firm investing the capital of the Stephens family, one of America’s longest-tenured private equity investors. Prior to The Stephens Group, LLC Robert was a Partner at SSM Partners, a private equity firm focused on expansion-stage technology, business services and consumer services companies. Before SSM, Robert was the Founder and CEO of Firstdoor, now part of Infor, where he built and directed a seventy-person organization that was one of the earliest “Software as a Service” business models.

Robert currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Avmont, an asset manager specializing in longevity risked-base and insurance-linked assets; (ii) Compass Datacenters, a developer and owner of wholesale build-to-suit data centers for hyperscale cloud, software, and enterprise customers. Robert serves as Chairman of the Board; (iii) Constellation Affiliated Partners, a platform buy-and-build of managing general agents in the insurance distribution space, (iv) Majority Strategies, an influence marketing platform utilizing data, digital and print services; (v) N3, a tech-enabled growth platform that provides outsourced B2B sales solutions to leading global technology players; (vi) Next Tier Connect, a platform to acquire and optimize underappreciated real estate properties with enhanced telecom and mission-critical characteristics; and (vii) Vida Capital, a multi-billion-dollar alternative asset manager specializing in uncorrelated assets. Robert previously served on the board of Avmont, an asset manager specializing in insurance-linked products, which was sold to Vida Capital in July 2020.

Robert received his B.S. in Natural Sciences and Mathematics from Washington and Lee University and his Master’s in Public Health (MPH) from Yale University. He is a current member of YPO where he serves on the board.

Partner

Robert Klein

Robert Klein is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Robert spent ten years at JPMorgan, most recently as Global Head of the Alternative Investments Group — a hedge fund, private equity/credit and real estate platform with over $80 billion in assets under supervision. Robert originated public and private investment opportunities and constructed alternatives portfolios for many of the firm’s most sophisticated clients in multiple jurisdictions globally. He also managed the firm’s relationships with General Partners for commingled funds as well as for direct investments and was instrumental in building the group from $20 billion in AUS to over $80 billion as of the time of his joining RedBird. Prior to JPMorgan, Robert worked for four years as a Director at North Street Partners, a private equity investment firm that specialized in lower-middle market transactions. Prior to North Street, Robert spent six years at Bernstein Investment Research & Management, where he was a Vice President in the firm’s wealth management division.

During his tenure at JPMorgan, Robert was also President of J.P. Morgan Alternative Asset Management (“JPMAAM”), a $13 billion hedge fund solutions provider that served both institutional and retail investors globally. He helped to lead the group’s efforts into liquid alternatives and a more fully developed separate account capability for clients. He also served on the Private Bank’s Global Investment Review Committee, the Private Equity Portfolio Advisory Committee, the firm’s Commercial Real Estate Council, the Investment Management Americas Operating Committee, and the Private Bank Investment Team.

In his current role, Robert is responsible for overseeing all operational functions of the firm as well as institutional and family office capital partnerships. Robert has helped to build RedBird from $650mm in AUM with 18 employees in 2017 to over $3.5bn in AUM and 37 employees today.  He works closely with Institutional and EFO partners to tailor investment solutions which help bring strategic capital partners to RedBird portfolio companies, develop co-investment opportunities, and deliver best in class, transparent reporting to our partners.

Philanthropically, Robert is a member of the Cornell University ILR Finance Council and has been a Board or Advisory Board member of Make a Wish Foundation of New York and Help Us Adopt.org. Robert received a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and an M.B.A. from NYU-Stern School of Business.

Partner

Andrew Lauck

Andrew Lauck is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Andrew was a Vice President of BDT & Company LLC, a Chicago-based merchant bank that provides advice and capital to family-owned and closely-held businesses. Prior to BDT, Andrew was an Associate of Flexpoint Ford, LLC, a Chicago-based middle-market private equity firm that focuses on healthcare and financial services. Andrew began his career at The Goldman Sachs Group in both the firm’s Investment Banking and Merchant Banking Divisions.

Andrew currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Aethon United, one of the largest independent, privately held upstream and midstream natural gas producers in the Haynesville; (ii) FireBird Energy, an oil and gas company with assets in the Permian Basin; (iii) Four Corners Petroleum, a Colorado-based oil and gas company that operates and develops crude oil assets on the Central Basin Platform in the Permian Basin; (iv) Lambda Energy, an oil and gas company focused on acquiring and developing assets in the Michigan Basin; (v) Main Event, a differentiated family-entertainment center platform based in Texas; (vi) RedBird’s QSR Investment, a diversified quick-service restaurant platform; and (vii) Vida Capital, a multi-billion-dollar alternative asset manager specializing in uncorrelated assets. Andrew previously served on the board of Avmont, an asset manager specializing in insurance-linked products, which was sold to Vida Capital in July 2020.

In addition to his investment responsibilities, Andrew leads the firm’s Portfolio Monitoring Team, which ensures a consistent and timely approach to monitoring is implemented for portfolio companies, including encouraging detailed dialogue with deal teams to review performance. Andrew also oversees junior investment professional development and recruiting.

Andrew received a B.S. in Finance and International Business, with distinction and honors, from Indiana University. Philanthropically, Andrew is a Board Member of Vogel Alcove in Dallas and he is the former Chairman and a current member of Indiana University’s Investment Banking Network Advisory Council.

Partner

Nicole Musicco

Nicole Musicco is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Nicole spent over 16 years in a broad range of senior leadership roles at Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. During her tenure, Nicole had oversight and responsibility for origination, analysis, execution and value creation of investment activities across multiple sectors, regions, and asset classes.

Nicole has been affiliated with the firm since its inception in 2014. RedBird was initially launched in 2014 with anchor capital from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (“OTPP”) and a group of Entrepreneurs and Family Offices that had a long investment history with the firm’s principals. At the time, Nicole led the Private Equity Fund and Co-Investment program at OTPP, which oversaw the investment in RedBird. Nicole also represented OTPP on the RedBird Investment Committee from 2014 to 2017.

Nicole’s various roles at OTPP included, (i) a member of the Teachers’ Private Capital direct investment team, investing across multiple sectors, including Healthcare, Technology, and Business Services; (ii) Managing Director, Teachers’ Private Capital (2012-2015), where she was responsible for OTPP’s $12 billion private equity and venture capital fund investments, as well as emerging market co-investments; (iii) Regional Managing Director, Asia-Pacific (2015-2017), during which she moved to Hong Kong, where she was responsible for establishing OTPP’s presence in Asia, and overseeing $12 billion of investments across the region; and (iv) Senior Managing Director, Public Equities (2017-2018), when Nicole returned to Canada to lead the $32 billion Public Equities department. Nicole was a member of the OTPP Global Investment Committee and the Total Fund (Asset Allocation) Committee.

In 2018, Nicole was recruited to lead the Private Markets investment program at Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (“IMCO”), a pension asset management firm with $70 billion in assets under management. As Senior Managing Director, Private Markets, Nicole was responsible for $20 billion investment program across Private Equity, Infrastructure and Real Estate.

Philanthropically, Nicole is a Board Member of Youth Employment Services (“YES”) in Toronto and a member of the Investment Committee of Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation. Nicole is a graduate with distinction from the H.B.A. and M.B.A. programs at the Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University, and a graduate of the Bachelor of Science Kinesiology program at Western University in Canada.

Partner

Alec Scheiner

Partner

Dan Swift

Dan Swift is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Dan spent 22 years at Goldman Sachs, where he was a Partner of the firm and led the Corporate Finance practice and co-led the Technology, Media & Telecom group of Goldman in Asia.  He was a founding member of Goldman’s Beijing office, and lived in Hong Kong and Singapore, spending 17 years in Asia.

During his tenure, Dan advised Goldman’s largest clients in Asia and led deal teams across Greater China, Korea, India and Southeast Asia.  He and his teams were instrumental in Goldman’s long-tenured #1 Asia IPO league-table ranking, and he was a key adviser to Goldman’s global corporate and investing clients around the Asian markets. He was a member of the firm’s Capital Committee and Commitments Committee, supervising all aspects of Corporate Finance and M&A execution.  Dan also served on the Listing Committee of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, guiding key policy reforms for the Hong Kong capital markets.

Dan currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Compass Datacenters, a developer and owner of wholesale build-to-suit data centers for hyperscale cloud, software, and enterprise customers; (ii) Constellation Affiliated Partners, a platform buy-and-build of managing general agents in the insurance distribution space; (iii) Main Event, Differentiated family-entertainment center platform based in Texas; and (iv) Next Tier Connect, a platform to acquire and optimize underappreciated real estate properties with enhanced telecom and mission-critical characteristics.

Philanthropically, Dan and his wife Julie are Trustees of the Asian Cultural Council in New York City and the International Advisory Council of Washington University in St. Louis. Dan holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University and an M.B.A. from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Partner

Mike Zabik

Mike Zabik is a Partner of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Mike was a Vice President of Ares Management LLC, a diversified asset manager, where he focused primarily on opportunities in business services, healthcare, industrials, consumer and specialty finance. Prior to Ares, Mike was an Associate of Kelso & Company, a New York-based private equity firm, where Mike evaluated investment opportunities across a broad set of industries including renewable energy, shipping, industrials, business services and consumer.

Mike leads the firm’s Financial Services practice. In addition, Mike currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Constellation Affiliated Partners, a platform buy-and-build of managing general agents in the insurance distribution space; (ii) Majority Strategies, an influence marketing platform utilizing data, digital and print services; (iii) OneTeam Partners, a partnership with the Players Associations of the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) to monetize the Name, Image and Likeness (“NIL”) of the collective players; (iv) Tally Energy Services, a buy-and-build oilfield service platform focused on fit-for-purpose solutions for shale producers in the verticals of directional drilling, completions and artificial lift; and (v) Zenith Shipping, a portfolio of product tankers and dry bulk shipping vessels. In addition to his involvement on company boards, Mike plays an active role in the following RedBird investments: (i) Grafine Capital Partners, a private investment and advisory firm focused on seeding platforms and capital raising; and (ii) Skydance Media, a diversified content-production studio founded by David Ellison focused on subscription video on demand (SVOD), feature film, animation and interactive gaming. Mike previously served on the board of On Location Experiences, which was sold to Endeavor in January 2020.

In addition to these responsibilities, he also leads the Portfolio Financing Team, which is top-down monitoring of the existing financing structures in place across the portfolio, with a view to opportunistically adjust the capital structures of portfolio companies on a go-forward basis.

Mike received a B.S. in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University. He is the former Chairman and a current member of Indiana University’s Investment Banking Network Advisory Council.

Principal

Tyler Alexander

Tyler Alexander is a Principal of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, Tyler was an Associate at MidOcean Partners, a New York-based private equity firm focused on consumer and business services.  Prior to MidOcean, Tyler began his career at Rothschild & Co. in the firm’s global advisory restructuring group. At Rothschild, Tyler specialized in special situations, debt advisory, and in-court and out-of-court restructuring transactions related to the financial crisis.

Tyler currently sits on several boards across the RedBird investment portfolio, including (i) Compass Datacenters, a developer and owner of wholesale build-to-suit data centers for hyperscale cloud, software, and enterprise customers; (ii) N3, a tech-enabled growth platform that provides outsourced B2B sales solutions to leading global technology players; and (iii) Next Tier Connect, a platform to acquire and optimize underappreciated real estate properties with enhanced telecom and mission-critical characteristics. In addition to his involvement on company boards, Tyler plays an active role in TierPoint, a leading data center operator and provider of IT infrastructure services focused on private and hybrid cloud solutions, managed services, and retail colocation in 40+ locations across the US.

In addition to these responsibilities, Tyler leads the firm’s Management Compensation Team, which designs and implements competitive executive compensation packages that create strong alignment, drive performance and are in accordance with best practices.

Tyler received a B.A. in History, with distinction, from the University of Virginia, where he was a Jefferson Scholar.

Head Of Entrepreneur & Family Office ("EFO") Partnerships

Elizabeth Browne

Elizabeth is Head of Entrepreneur & Family Office (“EFO”) Partnerships for RedBird.  In this role, she works with families and business founders to create bespoke relationships across transaction sourcing, company building and co-investments.  EFO Partnerships is a formal program designed to deepen relationships within RedBird’s global investor network, pairing RedBird’s flexible, long-term capital with entrepreneur and family business owners to help them scale their platform companies over the long term.

Based on RedBird’s premise that capital partnerships are a critical component of successful long-term investing, Elizabeth helps curate RedBird’s dialogues and relationships with its EFO Network, working closely with the firm’s investment teams to enhance proprietary deal sourcing and co-investment strategies and effectuate more integrated diligence and investment platform partnerships.

Prior to joining RedBird in 2019, Elizabeth was a senior member of the investment team and helped oversee external relationships for DNS Capital, a prominent Midwest family office.  As part of her responsibilities, she served as a board member or observer in six portfolio companies across the fintech, consumer retail, specialty ingredients and hospitality sectors.

Prior to joining DNS Capital in 2015, Elizabeth was an Associate in Goldman Sachs’ investment management division in Chicago. While there, Elizabeth advised entrepreneurs, family business owners and family offices on asset allocation, portfolio management, and direct investing strategies.  Her previous experience included advising on M&A and private equity transactions for Simpson Thacher & Bartlett in Beijing.

Elizabeth received her M.B.A. in Finance and International Business from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and her B.A. from McGill University with Great Distinction.  Elizabeth resides in Chicago, where she is a member of the Midwest Steering Committee for the Women’s Association of Venture & Equity (WAVE) and the Economic Club of Chicago.

Vice President

Alexander Blankfein

Alex Blankfein is a Vice President of the firm.

In his current role, Alex is actively involved in the management and oversight of the investment in TierPoint.

Prior to joining RedBird, Alex spent four years at The Carlyle Group as a Senior Associate, focusing on growth and middle-market buyout opportunities across the healthcare, services and industrials sectors. Prior to Carlyle, Alex was a Consultant at Bain & Company, where he performed market, financial, and operational diligence for both private equity and corporate clients.

Alex received both his M.B.A. and B.A. in History from Harvard University.

Vice President

Steven Loh

Steven Loh is a Vice President of the firm.

In his current role, Steven is actively involved in the management and oversight of the investments in Aethon United, FireBird Energy, Four Corners Petroleum, Lambda Energy Resources, Perdure Petroleum, and Tally Energy Services.

Prior to joining RedBird, Steven was the Director of Finance and Treasurer of RSP Permian, a publicly traded upstream company, where he managed a broad range of financial responsibilities including M&A, capital markets, credit facility, hedging and treasury.  Prior to RSP Permian, Steven worked at Aethon Energy, Lime Rock Resources and Deutsche Bank in a variety of energy finance-related roles.

Steven received a B.A. in Mathematical Economic Analysis and Classical Studies from Rice University, where he graduated Cum Laude.

Vice President

Niraj Shah

Niraj Shah is a Vice President of the firm.

In his current role, Niraj is actively involved in the management and oversight of the investments in OneTeam Partners, RedBird FC, Skydance Media, and YES Network. He was also involved with RedBird’s prior investment in On Location Experiences.

Niraj was previously an Associate of Apax Partners, a global private equity firm, where he evaluated traditional leveraged buyout, minority investment and debt refinancing opportunities within the Media & Entertainment, Sports and Business Services industries.

Prior to Apax, Niraj was an Analyst in the Investment Banking Division of The Goldman Sachs Group, where he advised a variety of clients within the Consumer Retail Group on mergers and acquisitions, activism defense, equity and debt financings and leveraged buyouts.

Niraj received a B.S. in Finance and Marketing with honors from The Ohio State University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Senior Associate

Dana Covo

Dana Covo is a Senior Associate of the firm.

In her current role, Dana works closely with Institutional and EFO partners to tailor investment solutions which help bring strategic capital partners to RedBird portfolio companies, develop co-investment opportunities and connect global family offices.

Prior to joining RedBird, Dana spent four years at the J.P. Morgan Private Bank. In her most recent role, she was an Investment Specialist in the Global Investment Opportunities group (GIO), a team that provides both long term and tactical multi-asset class investment ideas to the firm’s most active and sophisticated Individual and family office clients. Prior to GIO, Dana was part of the Global Investments Business Strategy team. In her role, she helped oversee the management of 700 global Investment advisors.

Dana received a B.A. with honors in English Literature from Emory University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Senior Associate

Isaac Halyard

Isaac Halyard is a Senior Associate of the firm.

In his current role, Isaac is actively involved in the management and oversight of the investments in OneTeam Partners, RedBird FC, Skydance Media and the YES Network. He also was involved with RedBird’s prior investment in On Location Experiences.

Isaac was previously an Analyst in the Investment Banking Division of The Goldman Sachs Group, where he advised a variety of clients within the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group on mergers and acquisitions, activism defense, equity and debt financings and leveraged buyouts.

Isaac received a B.A. in Economics from Stanford University.

Senior Associate

Katherine Kapnick

Katherine is a Senior Associate of the firm.

In her current role, Katherine is actively involved in the management and oversight of the investments in Compass Datacenters, Constellation Affiliated Partners and Grafine Partners.

Prior to joining RedBird, Katherine worked as COO and Co-Founder of Hill House Home, a direct-to-consumer home goods brand. Katherine started her career as an analyst at L Catterton, a global private equity firm, where she evaluated leveraged buyout and minority investment opportunities within the Consumer sector.

Katherine received a B.A. in English from the University of Virginia, with high honors. She received an M.B.A. from Yale School of Management.

Senior Associate

Dillon West

Dillon West is a Senior Associate of the firm.

In his current role, Dillon is actively involved in the management and oversight of the investments in Aethon United, Four Corners Petroleum, Lambda Energy Resources, Main Event, RedBird’s QSR Investment, Skydance Media, and Tally Energy Services.

Dillon was previously an Investment Banking Analyst at Evercore Partners, where he advised on mergers and acquisitions as well as restructuring and recapitalization transactions.

Dillon received a B.B.A. in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

Associate

Max Green

Max Green is an Associate of the firm.

In his current role, Max is actively involved with the investments in FireBird Energy, Perdure Petroleum, and  Vida Capital.

Max was previously an Analyst at Cain Brothers & Company, where he advised a variety of clients within the Healthcare sector mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations.

Max received a B.B.A. in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin.

Associate

Bradley Hicks

Associate

Michael Kaplan

Michael Kaplan is an Associate of the firm.

In his current role, Michael is actively involved with the investment in Grafine Partners and well as opportunities for RedBird Sports Group.

Michael was previously an Investment Banking Analyst at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he advised on mergers and acquisitions, activism defense and leveraged buyouts.

Michael received a B.A. in Economics from Cornell University.

Associate

Toby Lee

Toby Lee is an Associate of the firm.

In his current role, Toby is actively involved with the investments in Constellation Affiliated Partners, Majority Strategies, OneTeam Partners and Zenith Shipping.

Toby was previously an Investment Banking Analyst at Lazard Freres & Co., where he advised on mergers and acquisitions, activism defense, equity and debt financings and leveraged buyouts in the Technology Group.

Toby received a B.B.A. in Finance and Real Estate from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.

Associate

William Norcross

William Norcross is an Associate of the firm.

In his current role, William is actively involved with the investments in Main Event, Next Tier Connect, and RedBird’s QSR Investment.

William was previously an Associate in the Investment Banking Division of Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he advised a variety of clients within the Technology, Media & Telecommunications Group on mergers and acquisitions, activism defense, equity and debt financings and leveraged buyouts.

William received a B.S. in Systems Engineering and a minor in Business from the University of Virginia.

Associate

Alin Piranian

Alin Piranian is an Associate of the firm.

In her current role, Alin is actively involved with the investments in Compass Datacenters, N3 and TierPoint.

Alin was previously an Investment Banking Analyst at Barclays, where she advised on mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings and leveraged buyouts in the Media and Telecommuncations Group.

Alin received a B.B.A. in Finance and Business Honors from the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Operating Partner

Lyle Ayes

Lyle Ayes is an Operating Partner of the firm.

In his current role, Lyle helps to manage RedBird Sports Group (“RSG”), as subsidiary of RedBird’s management company.  RedBird Sports Group is a merchant bank that brings together in-house operating capabilities, advisory expertise and flexible long-term capital to enable more professionalized ownership of sports assets in partnership with rights holders. In line with this merchant banking philosophy, RedBird Sports Group will look to advise, operate and invest in high growth platform companies in a holistic, integrated approach that unlocks greater value for sports teams, leagues and other rights holders over a longer-term trajectory.

Prior to joining RedBird in 2018, Lyle served as Head of Sports Advisory for LionTree Advisors. Before joining LionTree, Lyle was at Evercore, where he served as a Managing Director of the firm’s corporate advisory business and co-head of the firm’s Sports practice.  Earlier in his career, Lyle was an Executive Director of Morgan Stanley’s Mergers & Acquisitions Department, where he focused on the sports, media, consumer and healthcare industries. Notable sports transactions Lyle has advised on include: acquisition of an undisclosed LP stake in an NBA franchise; Series B capital raise for the Professional Fighters League; acquisition of an LP stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins; GlideSlope’s sale to Chime Sports & Entertainment; Forest City’s sale of a 20% interest in the Brooklyn Nets and 55% interest in Barclays Center to Onexim Sports & Entertainment; Spire Capital’s sale of Professional Bull Riders to WME | IMG; IMG’s sale to WME / Silver Lake Partners; Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s sale of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to Bell / Rogers; and the Pittsburgh Steelers, both on a recapitalization and valuation of the franchise.

Lyle also represents major sports leagues, potential owners in franchise acquisitions, and multiple clients across the media, experiential and sports marketing industries. He has received national recognition as one of the Sports Business Journal’s 2016 Power Players: Advisory, as well as the Sports Business Journal’s 2015 Forty Under 40 award, which recognizes top sports executives. Lyle has also been a featured panelist at the Bloomberg Sports Summit, NeuLion Sports Media & Technology and MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conferences.

Lyle received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and a J.D. from Harvard Law School where he graduated Cum Laude.

Operating Partner

Brent Stehlik

Brent Stehlik is an Operating Partner at the firm, where he is responsible for overseeing investment opportunities and advisory efforts for RedBird Sports Group.

In his current role, Brent helps to manage RedBird Sports Group (“RSG”), as subsidiary of RedBird’s management company.  RedBird Sports Group is a merchant bank that brings together in-house operating capabilities, advisory expertise and flexible long-term capital to enable more professionalized ownership of sports assets in partnership with rights holders. In line with this merchant banking philosophy, RedBird Sports Group will look to advise, operate and invest in high growth platform companies in a holistic, integrated approach that unlocks greater value for sports teams, leagues and other rights holders over a longer-term trajectory.

Prior to joining RedBird in 2018, Brent spent five years with the Cleveland Browns after joining the organization as Executive Vice President/Chief Revenue Officer in January 2013.  He oversaw all aspects of revenue generation for the franchise, including ticket sales and retention, operations, suite and premium sales, corporate partnership sales and activation, concessions, merchandise and special events.  Brent has received national recognition as a recipient of the Sports Business Journal “Forty Under 40” Award (2013) and the Leaders In Sport “Under 40” Award (2017). Under Brent’s leadership, the Browns enjoyed consecutive years of organization sales records for new season ticket, club seat and suite sales.  He oversaw significant growth of corporate partnerships, nearly doubling revenues in his first four years. Additionally, the organization rose dramatically through league rankings in both total local revenue and ticket revenue.

Prior to joining the Browns, Brent was Senior Vice President of business operations for the San Diego Padres, where he managed all aspects of revenue generation and marketing.  With Brent at the helm, the Padres achieved record-breaking seasons of ticket, suite and corporate partnership sales that resulted in a number of milestones for the organization.  During his first two seasons with the Padres, Brent also oversaw ballpark operations, as well as the acquisition of the Tucson Padres (Triple-A). Brent has held additional roles as Director of Business Development for the Dallas Cowboys, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service for the Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB), Chief Operating Officer of the Frisco RoughRiders (MiLB) and Director of Group Sales for the Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL).

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Brent graduated from the University of Mount Union with a B.A. in Sport Business.

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Compliance Officer

David Grochow

David Grochow is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of the firm.

Prior to joining RedBird, David spent over eight years at Irving Place Capital, most recently as CFO.  Prior to Irving Place Capital, David worked for six years as Controller in the Private Equity Group at The Blackstone Group.  David Also spent time with Geller & Co. and Arthur Andersen as a Senior Accountant.

David received a B.B.A. degree from the Goizueta Business School and is a Certified Public Accountant.