(April 13, 2015) – Rockwood Equity Partners, a private investment firm based in Cleveland and New York, announced today that Kate Faust has joined the team as Partner – Business Development.
Ms. Faust brings to Rockwood significant experience, having held executive positions with both private equity and publicly traded institutions. Most recently, she was Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer at SIFCO Industries, Inc., a publically traded manufacturing company focused on the aerospace and energy industries. Prior to SIFCO, Ms. Faust was Managing Director at Greenstar Capital, LLC, a private equity firm investing in lower-middle market companies and providing management consulting services. She also served as Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning and Manager of Finance at Argo-Tech Corporation, a leading maker of aerospace engine fuel pumps and systems, airframe fuel pumps and systems, and ground fueling equipment for commercial and military aerospace markets prior to its acquisition by Eaton Corporation.
In her role at Rockwood, Ms. Faust will lead the firm’s deal sourcing and marketing activities. She joins Rockwood during one of the most transaction-focused years in the firm’s 16-year history. In the past 12 months, the firm has completed four exits of portfolio companies, including the recent Q1 exits of AFC Holdings to Incline Equity Partners and Minco Technology Labs to Micross Components, Inc.
For the remainder of 2015, Rockwood is focused on growth through both new platform acquisitions and add-ons to its portfolio companies. For platforms, the firm will continue to pursue lower middle market businesses with EBITDA of at least $2 million, with particular interest in the following sectors: process control and infrastructure of energy and water; aerospace and defense; durable medical equipment; and specialized industrials. Within its existing portfolio, Rockwood seeks add-ons for AMACS and Altimate Medical.