CenterOak Partners Announces Additional Managing Partners, Other Key Promotions

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CenterOak Partners LLC (“CenterOak”), a Dallas-based private equity firm, today announced the promotion of six individuals, including two additional Managing Partners, effective July 1, 2020.

Lucas Cutler and Jason Sutherland have joined CenterOak’s CEO and Founder, Randall Fojtasek, as Managing Partners. Eric Holter, Blake Richardson and Carrie Hamilton have all been promoted to Principal, and Mark Izlar has been elevated to Senior Associate.

Mr. Fojtasek said, “CenterOak has a large team of talented and dedicated professionals who work tirelessly and productively for our investors and portfolio companies. In particular, Lucas Cutler and Jason Sutherland have worked alongside me for almost 20 years. During that time, they have exhibited exceptional investment acumen and remarkable deal-making skills and have contributed substantially to the firm’s strong performance and growth. Lucas and Jason have been great Partners, and I could not be happier that we will continue to work together as co-Managing Partners of CenterOak.”

Mr. Fojtasek added, “Eric Holter, Blake Richardson, Carrie Hamilton, and Mark Izlar have all progressed nicely in their careers at CenterOak and are well-qualified to elevate to new positions inside our firm. My Partners and I are confident that Eric, Blake, Carrie, and Mark, together with all other CenterOak personnel, will continue to help build the firm’s reputation as a leading partner to middle market businesses.”

About CenterOak Promotions

Lucas Cutler has been promoted from Partner to a Managing Partner. He serves on CenterOak’s Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of various CenterOak portfolio companies, including Cascade Windows, Wetzel’s Pretzels, FullSpeed Automotive, and Service Champions. Prior to joining CenterOak as a Partner, Mr. Cutler held several senior investment positions at Brazos Private Equity Partners, where he most recently served as a Managing Director. Previously, Mr. Cutler was employed as an investment professional at Bank of America Securities LLC in the Leveraged Finance Group. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Jason Sutherland has been promoted from Partner to a Managing Partner. He serves on CenterOak’s Investment Committee and the Board of Directors of various CenterOak portfolio companies, including Aakash Chemicals, Shamrock Environmental, SurfacePrep and previously TruRoad. Prior to joining CenterOak as a Partner, Mr. Sutherland held several senior investment positions at Brazos Private Equity Partners, where he most recently served as a Managing Director. Previously, Mr. Sutherland was employed as a Vice President in the Specialty Lending Group of Goldman, Sachs & Co. Prior to that, Mr. Sutherland was employed as an investment professional at Bank of America Securities LLC and Raymond James & Associates. He received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College.

Eric Holter has been promoted from Vice President to Principal. He actively supports all aspects of the firm’s evaluation, execution, and monitoring of investment opportunities. Prior to joining CenterOak, Mr. Holter served as a Vice President with Linsalata Capital Partners. He previously worked as an investment professional at Keystone Capital, Duff & Phelps Securities and A.G. Edwards Capital Markets. Mr. Holter received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University with a concentration in finance.

Blake Richardson has been promoted from Vice President to Principal. He actively supports all aspects of the firm’s evaluation, execution, and monitoring of investment opportunities. Prior to joining CenterOak, Mr. Richardson served as an investment professional at Trinity Hunt Partners, Sun Capital Partners and Stephens Inc. Mr. Richardson received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University with a concentration in finance.

Carrie Hamilton has been promoted from Vice President to Principal. She actively supports the firm’s business development activities and investor relation functions. Prior to joining CenterOak, Ms. Hamilton served as an investment professional at NGP Energy Capital Management and Credit Suisse. Ms. Hamilton received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University with a concentration in finance.

Mark Izlar has been promoted from Associate to Senior Associate. He actively supports all aspects of the firm’s investment and monitoring activities. Prior to joining CenterOak, Mr. Izlar served as an investment professional at Simmons & Company (a division of Piper Sandler). Mr. Izlar received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas with concentrations in finance and accounting.

About CenterOak Partners LLC

CenterOak Partners LLC is a private equity firm with a focus on making control-oriented investments in middle market companies organized or operating in the United States. The Firm specializes in three key industry sectors: Industrial Growth, Consumer, and Business Services. Based in Dallas, Texas, the investment and portfolio management team has a strong historical track record creating significant value through operational improvement. CenterOak and its senior leaders have managed over $2.2 billion of equity capital commitments across CenterOak Fund I and Fund II, in addition to predecessor funds. For additional information, please visit www.centeroakpartners.com.

Contacts

Caroline Collins

BackBay Communications

617-963-0065

caroline.collins@backbaycommunications.com