Kevin Ahern
LinkedIn Copy
Hey Kevin — similar path (IB → PE). been thinking a lot about proprietary origination in business services and specialty finance lately. would be good to connect.
Hey Kevin, similar PE background though I came through banking at CS & Greenhill in London rather than building out bank platforms and PE deals in Colorado like you. origination was always the same story for me — clear thesis, decent relationships, but no proprietary system of record tying anything together. every deal virtually sourced from scratch, nothing compounding over time. curious if that's still how most funds operate or if I'm behind the times? — Russ
Hey Kevin, looks like we share a similar background, though I was in London doing growth equity deals at Treis not in Colorado building a PE firm across banking and services like you've done with Brush Creek. the pattern I keep seeing with most funds is weirdly consistent — strong thesis, solid network, but no proprietary system of record. the people, tools and ideas are never really connected. every deal virtually sourced from scratch, nothing compounds on itself. curious if that resonates or if you've built something different at Brush Creek? — Russ
hey Kevin — no worries if the timing's off. most funds I talk to have tried some version of building origination in-house — analyst pulling from Pitchbook or Grata, maybe using ChatGPT to help qualify, dumping it into a spreadsheet. each piece kind of works, but there's no system of record tying it together. the people, tools and ideas are all disconnected, so there's tonnes of wasted energy and everything ends up out of sync. been helping a few funds like Mentmore work through that. curious if you've run into the same thing at Brush Creek? — Russ
totally get it if origination infrastructure isn't top of mind right now — most funds have 10 things ahead of it on the priority list. the funds I've seen crack it early just tend to compound deal flow in a way that's hard to replicate later. if it ever moves up the list, I'm easy to find. — Russ
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Kevin — hope you're having a good Tuesday. wanted to reach out for two reasons: a) jealous of what you've built at Brush Creek. though we share a banking/PE background, I hope to one day launch my own fund and buy a great founder-owned business in the services space. b) in the meantime I've been building deal origination engines for investors like you — just finished one for Backer Group in the UK also acquiring founder-owned service and light manufacturing businesses. It takes your thesis, maps targets across various data sources incl. google maps, and runs the full engagement cycle (email/linkedin/whatsapp) — connected live to the crm. Given we've already built this out, I wondered if you wanted to jump on a quick call and take a look under the hood? very best, Russell searchloop.ai linkedin.com/in/russellt23
Prospect Research
## PROSPECT INFORMATION: Name: Kevin Ahern Title: Managing Partner Fund: Brush Creek Partners, LP Background: Kevin Ahern is a highly experienced leader and entrepreneur in the financial services and private equity sectors, currently serving as Managing Partner at Brush Creek Partners, LP in Colorado. He is also the Chairman of InBank and Investment Trust Company, and holds board positions at Southwest Heritage Bank, Horizon Bank, and Gemini 13 LLC. His professional background is defined by a strong track record in banking and M&A, having previously founded and served as CEO of CIC Bancshares and Centennial Bank before their merger into HTLF in 2016. He spent earlier parts of his career in senior leadership roles at CoBiz Financial, Braddock Financial, and Sterling Partners. Kevin is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with an MBA from the University of Connecticut and a B.S. in Finance from the University of Northern Colorado, where he has also served as a Trustee and Adjunct Faculty. His core expertise includes strategy development, capital development, and executive coaching. LinkedIn Post Hooks and Activity: On February 16, 2023, Kevin announced a strategic move: "Brush Creek Partners announces that it has invested in Bancorp 34, Inc... and I have joined the Bancorp 34, Inc. Board." He noted the bank is "well positioned to gain meaningful market share in the growing Phoenix metropolitan area." On July 28, 2022, he shared a portfolio update: "ERI Group, a Brush Creek Partners portfolio company, has announced a merger with LINK Product Development. We are excited about the new opportunities the merger brings." On May 26, 2022, he detailed an investment in Idaho: "I’m pleased to announce that Brush Creek Partners, LP has invested in the Bank of Idaho Holding Company (OTCQX:BOID)... We are thrilled to be partnering with Jeff Newgard... as they build the preeminent independent community bank franchise in the intermountain west." On April 5, 2022, he posted about a consumer-facing investment: "Brush Creek Partners has invested in Slumber Cloud, a Colorado-based direct-to-consumer performance bedding brand that makes award winning, temperature-regulating bedding products using proprietary technology developed originally for NASA." On February 4, 2022, he shared news regarding a digital media venture: "Brush Creek Partners is the lead investor in Gemini13, LLC... A digital media content and services holding company, Gemini13 plans to implement its growth strategy by executing accretive acquisitions." On November 17, 2021, he discussed a follow-on investment: "Brush Creek Partners participated in a follow-on equity financing in Eagle River Capital... Eagle River continues to acquire market share in the fast growing Front Range of Colorado." On May 14, 2020, Kevin announced the formation of his current firm: "I'm thrilled to announce that I have partnered up with my long time friend and partner, Scott Maierhofer, to form Brush Creek Partners, LP... We have in excess of $50 million in committed capital and are actively seeking new investments." Fund details: - Description: LEADERSHIP | BCP’s managing partners, Kevin Ahern and Scott Maierhofer, bring a combined 70 years of successfully growing businesses as operators and capital partners via private equity, investment banking, and financial services EXPERTISE | BCP’s management team, investment committee and investor group have a proven track record of driving success in a number of businesses and industries and providing value to our partners FUNDING | BCP has access to significant capital and an appetite for follow-on investment; we will consider a wide range of partnerships BCP IS A VERY DIFFERENT PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM: BROAD INVESTMENT CRITERIA INVESTMENT | $2 million to $20 million FINANCING | Buyout, recapitalization or growth equity; subordinated debt, preferred equity, or mezzanine; specialty and niche financing INDUSTRIES | Business & consumer services, manufacturing, distribution, and specialty finance GEOGRAPHY | Regional focus, and also consider opportunities nationally PARTNERSHIP | Ranging from minority equity positions to majority control, family succession, and shareholder liquidity WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING OUR OPERATING PARTNERS ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT LONG-TERM VALUE AND SUCCESS - Website: https://www.brushcreeklp.com - Location: Littleton, Colorado, United States - Lead qualification: Research: - Query: =Brush Creek Partners, LP Kevin Ahern recent investments fund thesis - Answer: Kevin Ahern leads Brush Creek Partners, focusing on private equity investments from $2 million to $20 million in various industries. He has over 35 years of experience in investment management and private equity. Brush Creek Partners seeks growth equity, recapitalization, and buyout opportunities.