Our Story

We were founded in 1994 as Credit Sovereign to serve as a private equity and real estate investment correspondent of a European-based agri-commodities business family. In 1999, we became part of Lehman Brothers, helping downstream energy sector businesses access capital and strategic advice, now as part of a $280 billion financial firm. In 2002, we separated our business from Lehman Brothers, went on to grow as an independent firm. Along the way, we strategically co-founded or strategically invested in financial firms focused on the middle market. Today our teams operate across 12 time zones, dedicated to empowering the middle market. 

1994: Our firm was founded as Credit Sovereign in Atlanta.
1994: Our firm was founded as Credit Sovereign in Atlanta.
During 1994 and 1998 we facilitated acquisitions and management of multiple hotels across the United States, including the historic Blackstone Hotel of Chicago
During 1994 and 1998 we facilitated acquisitions and management of multiple hotels across the United States, including the historic Blackstone Hotel of Chicago
1994: Our first capital markets transaction was serving as correspondent for Nomura Securities to issue CMBS loan for Venture Cinema Center in Atlanta GA
1994: Our first capital markets transaction was serving as correspondent for Nomura Securities to issue CMBS loan for Venture Cinema Center in Atlanta GA
1997: Our first sale-leaseback transaction was the portfolio of gas stations acquired by Fuel Marketing, Inc. from Philips Petroleum
1997: Our first sale-leaseback transaction was the portfolio of gas stations acquired by Fuel Marketing, Inc. from Philips Petroleum
1998: Our first syndicated loan transaction, participated by institutional funds and community banks, was the 44-unit portfolio of gas stations acquired by Endor Stores Inc. from Marathon Oil
1998: Our first syndicated loan transaction, participated by institutional funds and community banks, was the 44-unit portfolio of gas stations acquired by Endor Stores Inc. from Marathon Oi
During 1999 to 2002 we were part of Lehman Brother providing capital and strategic advice to downstream energy middle market businesses
During 1999 to 2002 we were part of Lehman Brother providing capital and strategic advice to downstream energy middle market businesses
2004: We open New York City office at 48 Wall Street.
2004: We open New York City office at 48 Wall Street.
2006: Our first industrial sector strategic recapitalization and private equity investment was the acquisition of QFI, Inc. and Excel Metals to form QXL Metals.
2006: Our first industrial sector strategic recapitalization and private equity investment was the acquisition of QFI, Inc. and Excel Metals to form QXL Metals.
2008: Our first private equity co-investment was to back buyout of Weco Manufacturing in Rochester, NY.
2008: Our first private equity co-investment was to back buyout of Weco Manufacturing in Rochester, NY.
2012: We open Newport Beach office at 23 Corporate Plaza.
2012: We open Newport Beach office at 23 Corporate Plaza.
2017: We establish presence in Zagreb, Croatia co-founding Adriatic Capital Partners d.o.o.
2017: We establish presence in Zagreb, Croatia co-founding Adriatic Capital Partners d.o.o.
2020: We establish presence in Yerevan, Armenia taking significant ownership in Dimension CJSC.
2020: We establish presence in Yerevan, Armenia taking significant ownership in Dimension CJSC.

PAUL VALENCIA

ASSOCIATE PARTNER, STRATEGY

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Rhett Collver

ASSOCIATE PARTNER, STRATEGY

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BILL MARK

ASSOCIATE PARTNER, PRIVATE EQUITY

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VINCENT CATALANO, CFA

GLOBAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIST

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EMILY MARK

SENIOR ASSOCIATE, PRIVATE EQUITY

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ALEXANDER GRIGORIAN

LEAD BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ANALYST

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ARMEN GRIGORIAN

FOUNDER

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