Jesse Watson

Jesse is the Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Virgo. Prior to Virgo, Jesse was a senior investment professional at Eton Park Capital Management where he focused on credit, distressed, special situations and asset-based investing. Jesse joined Eton Park through a merger with R6 Capital Management, where he was a co-founder, partner and portfolio manager. Prior to joining R6 Capital, Jesse was a senior investment professional at Silver Point Capital. Jesse worked on the public trading desk and also assisted in the build out of the firm’s middle-market, private investment business, where he worked with several Virgo team members. Prior to Silver Point, Jesse was an Associate with Clayton, Dubilier and Rice and an Analyst with Morgan Stanley Capital Partners, the leveraged buyout principal investment division of Morgan Stanley. Jesse earned his BA from the Johns Hopkins University with highest honors, graduating at the top of his class with Phi Beta Kappa distinction.  Jesse also studied at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies and was a guest of the Japanese Ministry of Finance in Tokyo for a seminar on fiscal and monetary policy where he published a conference paper on private equity in Japan. Jesse is a member of the Virgo investment committee.

Mark Perez

Mark has over fifteen years of experience in various financial, operational, and regulatory roles within the chemicals, materials and industrial sectors. Prior to joining Virgo, Mark worked in the investment banking division at Goldman Sachs in New York. He was a member of the firm’s Global Natural Resources group with an emphasis on the chemicals and metals & mining sectors. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Mark was a Strategic Marketing Manager at ChemPoint, the start-up specialty chemical distribution subsidiary of Univar USA. Mark also spent three years with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as an assistant project manager within the Office of Science and Technology, focused on the pulp and paper industry. Mark earned his BS in chemical engineering from the Johns Hopkins University and received an MBA with finance specialization from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, graduating with honors as a Stern Scholar. Mark is a member of the Virgo investment committee.

Eli Aheto

Eli has over fifteen years of experience in private credit, private equity and distressed debt investing. Prior to joining Virgo, Eli founded Lynbrook Capital Group and completed investments in oil & gas, renewable finance, real estate and industrial businesses. Previously, Eli spent six years at Anchorage Capital where he oversaw a global portfolio of investments across all sectors of the energy industry and across the capital structure. Prior to joining Anchorage, Eli was an Analyst at Severn River Capital, an Associate at General Atlantic Partners and an Analyst at Goldman Sachs.  Eli earned his AB degree from Harvard University with honors. Eli also earned an MBA from Harvard Business School with honors. Eli currently serves on the Board of Advocates of Citizen Schools New York. Eli is a member of the Virgo investment committee.

Gary Krauthamer

Gary is a Partner at Virgo focused on building strategic sourcing relationships, cultivating the Operating Partner Network and building an information edge in investment due diligence.  Prior to joining Virgo, Gary was Partners with Jesse Watson at R6 Capital, and later worked together at Eton Park. Krauthamer & Associates acts as a strategic opportunity sourcing partner for Virgo.  Gary founded Krauthamer & Associates in 1971 and has personally completed more than 1,000 search assignments throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Over the last thirty years, Gary has worked extensively within and across the public and private sectors and has developed a diverse client base that includes the aerospace industry, the federal government, entrepreneurial organizations, middle-market entities and large multi-national Fortune 100 corporations. He is a member of various committees of the American Public Transportation Association and serves on the Board of Governors of the Wings Club.  He was formerly the Chairman of the Omega Institute and is a member of the Social Venture Network. Gary graduated from the American University's Kogod School of Business with a degree in finance.

Todd Dorfman

Todd is a Partner at Virgo focused on evolving prospective management teams and collaborating with our investment partners to transform and grow Virgo’s portfolio companies. Prior to joining Virgo, Todd was Partners with Jesse Watson at R6 Capital, and later worked together at Eton Park. Krauthamer & Associates acts as a strategic opportunity sourcing partner for Virgo. Todd has been a part of Krauthamer & Associates since 1993 and a principal as of 1997. Todd has recruited for public and private sector clients throughout a variety of industries including financial and professional services, real estate, technology, manufacturing, distribution and healthcare. Todd’s prior experience includes several years in real estate finance, development and dispositions, first at LaSalle Partners, a global provider of comprehensive real estate and investment management services, and subsequently at Oxford Realty, a national multi-family real estate developer and asset manager.  Todd has been a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council and is a member of the Turnaround Management Association. Todd graduated with honors from the University of Michigan with a concentration in economics.

Melissa Toma Ryan

Melissa is a Managing Director and Head of Business Development & Investor Relations at Virgo. She has over 20 years of experience in financial services across sales, capital raising and origination. Prior to Virgo, Melissa was Co-Head of Americas Capital Services at Credit Suisse and played a key role in growing their team’s investor platform across the US, working closely with clients to build and expand their businesses, and originating new business for their prime platform globally. Prior to her 10+ year career at Credit Suisse, she was Director of Investor Relations for BAM Capital and an Associate at Lehman Brothers in Capital introductions. She also spent three years at Merrill Lynch in Taxable Debt Marketing and Fixed Income Origination. She began her career at Bristol Myers-Squibb as a business analyst. Melissa earned her BA from Gettysburg College and MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

Pooja Goel

Pooja Goel is a seasoned healthcare executive with over two decades of experience in the healthcare services delivery sector. She was recently at Landmark Health, the nation’s largest house calls provider as their General Manager of New Business. She also spent over 10+ years at DaVita leading many innovative projects and holding several key operational roles in kidney care, international and population health. Prior to joining DaVita, Pooja held many operations roles at multiple academic medical centers and began her career at Kaiser Permanente. Pooja holds a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and molecular genetics from the University of California, Los Angeles and a master’s degree in health administration from the Loma Linda University School of Public Health.​

Scott Guthrie

Scott is a Managing Director at Virgo focused on portfolio companies performance, implementing best in class operational SOP and driving transformational enterprise growth and profitability. Scott has extensive general management, sales, business development, marketing and operations successes in startup to Fortune 500 companies within film (Paramount, Disney), interactive software (MTV, THQ), consumer packaged goods (SodaStream, Pepsi) and emerging technology (Jambo Enterprises) categories. In addition, Scott has worked as a board member or an independent advisor to companies in entertainment, interactive software, food and beverage categories and industry advisory associations. Scott graduated from Bishops University in Sherbrooke Quebec with a concentration in Business and Economics. 

Anthony Lubiano

Anthony was previously Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Lateral Investment Management (Lateral) from 2017 to 2019 and was responsible for Lateral’s compliance program as a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) with the SEC, as well as financial reporting for funds with over $350 million in AUM.  Prior to Lateral, he was Vice President of Finance at Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts (KKR) from 2011 to 2017 where he oversaw fund financial reporting for the firms direct lending, mezzanine and illiquid credit strategies, which account for $6 billion in AUM. Prior to joining KKR, he was Fund Controller for 9 years at the venture capital firm, Vantage Point Capital Partners (VPCP) and was responsible for financial reporting on funds with AUM of $4.5 billion. Prior to VPCP, he was senior accountant at a regional CPA firm, Novogradac & Company. Anthony Lubiano is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California (inactive Status). He holds a B.A. (Accounting) from San Francisco State University.

Cindy Kim

Cindy was previously Vice President and Controller at Hall Capital Partners LLC in the Pooled Vehicles Administration group.  At Hall Capital Partners LLC, Cindy was responsible for the financial accounting, reporting, operations, and management of the investment funds which represented over $4.5 billion of AUM.  Cindy started her career in public accounting at Deloitte & Touche LLP in the Audit practice, with a focus in the Real Estate industry.  Cindy graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business, as well as a Music minor.  Cindy is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive) licensed in the State of California since 2008.

Brian Wade

Brian is a Vice President at Virgo, focusing on originating, executing and managing investments in the media, technology and healthcare industries.  Prior to joining Virgo, Brian was an associate with TA Associates, where he managed origination and transaction execution for investments in the technology and business services industries. Prior to TA Associates, Brian was an analyst with Wells Fargo Securities in the Technology, Media and Telecom Group, where he advised companies on capital raising and M&A transactions. Brian earned his BS in Business Administration, with University Honors, from Carnegie Mellon University.

Chris Mezzavilla

Chris’ day-to-day responsibilities include Investor Relations, the marketing and brand development of Virgo and the Firm's underlying portfolio companies.  Prior to joining Virgo, Chris was Client Services Coordinator at Herb Thomas and Associates, a private fiduciary firm in the Bay Area.  Previously, he was an Account Executive at Cumulus Media originating sponsorship partnerships between businesses and the San Francisco Giants, Forty-Niners, and Golden State Warriors.  Chris brings experience in marketing, operations and office management to Virgo.  Chris earned his BS from Saint Mary’s College of California studying Business Administration with a focus on Marketing.

Kyle Limberg

Kyle is Vice President at Virgo focused on portfolio and asset management, investment valuation, and fund operations. Prior to joining Virgo, Kyle spent three years at Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP providing assurance and advisory services for early stage venture capital firms and pre-IPO software companies, as well as privately held, smart energy and commercial real estate companies. While at Frank, Rimerman + Co. LLP, Kyle managed financial statement assurance engagements with a specialization in structuring and accounting for complex equity, investment valuation, revenue recognition and target acquisition due diligence.  Kyle is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California. Kyle graduated magna cum laude with a BS in Accountancy from the University of San Diego.

Ali El-Awady

Ali is an Asset Manager at Virgo focused on portfolio and asset management and investment valuation. Prior to joining Virgo, Ali spent three years at Prologis Inc providing strategy and valuation work for their $90+ Billion industrial real estate portfolio. Additionally, Ali provided investment and market research for their corporate venture capital arm, PLD ventures, which focused on supply chain and real estate technology companies. Ali joined Prologis Inc after graduating from Indiana University Kelley School of Business where he dual majored in Economic Consulting and Finance with a minor in Economics.

Leo Pratt

Leo is an Analyst at Virgo focusing on portfolio monitoring and deal underwriting.  Prior to joining Virgo, Leo was an investment banking analyst with Wells Fargo in its Technology, Media, and Telecom group.  At Wells Fargo, he was the lead analyst on more than ten transactions ranging from $500mm-11bn supporting M&A, recapitalizations, share repurchases, and working capital needs for software, semiconductor, and media companies.  Leo has a BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Melissa Lin

Melissa is a Senior Fund Accountant at Virgo. Prior to joining the firm, Melissa was a Fund Accountant at Asia Alternatives Management LLC, a fund of fund PE investment firm with over $12 billion in AUM, where she spent over four years responsible for fund and management company accounting and financial reporting. Melissa started her career in public accounting at Wang, Potomac & Co., a CPA firm in Los Angeles. Melissa graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a BA in Sociology, as well as a Japanese minor. 

Abdul Bellal

Abdul Bellal is a Staff Accountant at Virgo. Prior to joining the firm, he was an accountant at Hellman & Friedman LLC, a private equity firm based in San Francisco, providing treasury expertise, management company bookkeeping, and ERP implementation experience. He started his career at FAME Charter School, providing full-cycle accounting, payroll, and operations support. Abdul earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Management Economics with a concentration in Accounting from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is a CPA Candidate, on track to complete licensure in 2019.

Jeevan Mahal

Jeevan joined Virgo in February of 2019 to support fundraising and creative marketing projects. Prior to Virgo, Jeevan spent three years as a healthcare consultant for San Mateo County, providing process improvement expertise to support the County’s quality improvement initiatives across its Medical/Medicaid services.  Jeevan completed her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies at UC Berkeley with a focus on ethics and peace & conflict studies as well as her MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom.

Scott Johnson

Scott’s responsibilities include the sourcing, evaluation, and execution of commercial real estate opportunities in Kavanah, Virgo’s real estate platform. He joins Virgo with over 25 years of experience leading the acquisition, development, marketing, leasing and sale of commercial real estate assets in markets across the country.  Prior to joining Virgo, Scott managed the marketing and disposition of a national portfolio of over 100 commercial REO assets for Beal Bank; directed the acquisition and entitlement of land, lots, and building sites for national builder Centex Homes; and developed a 20-building, 1.4 million square foot portfolio of light industrial/R&D buildings for Centex Development Company. Scott graduated with a BBA in Finance and Real Estate from The University of Texas.

Tony Diaz

Tony Diaz serves as Chairman of Zephyrus Aviation Capital. 

Mr. Diaz was previously President of CIT Aerospace. Also previously serving as an Executive Vice President of CIT Aerospace, Mr. Diaz was associated with subsidiaries and affiliates of CIT from 1987 through 2017. At CIT, he was responsible for running CIT Aerospace, which consisted of 467 commercial aircraft in total, valued at approximately $10 billion dollars of owned, managed and committed aircraft. From 1981 to 1987, he was employed by People Express Airlines (which was subsequently merged into Continental Airlines) in a variety of operational and financial capacities. Prior to 1981, he was employed by Cessna Finance Company, primarily involved in aircraft finance. He has also served as a Director of CIT Aerospace International Ltd.

Mr. Diaz holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an Associate of Science degree from the State University of New York at Farmingdale.

Damon D’Agostino

Damon J. D’Agostino is the President & Chief Executive Officer of Zephyrus Aviation Capital.

Mr. D’Agostino is the former Chief Commercial Officer for CIT Aerospace, one of the world’s leading aircraft leasing companies. As Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. D'Agostino was responsible for all aspects of CIT’s commercial strategy and execution, including aircraft sale and lease transactions, airline relationship management, contract negotiation, restructurings, and new aircraft and engine acquisitions. Prior to that role, he served as Chief Sales Officer, with global responsibility for marketing CIT’s aircraft portfolio which, by 2017, exceeded 350 aircraft valued at eleven billion dollars.

Under his eleven years of leadership, the business grew by more than 45% while delivering consistent year-over-year profitability growth and maintaining a greater than 99% asset utilization rate through industry peaks and troughs. He has negotiated the purchase of eight separate new aircraft orders, totaling 120 aircraft, with a list price value of $20 billion dollars. In 2017, Mr. D’Agostino, along with select members of CIT’s senior management team, sold the Commercial Air business to Avolon for a 6.7% premium to book.

Starting his career in the early 1990s, Mr. D’Agostino held a succession of sales and marketing roles and responsibilities with his personal transaction success including the sale, lease and financing of over 170 aircraft.

With a passion and desire to give back to the community, Mr. D’Agostino has been an active member of the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) since 1996 and has served as a trustee of the ISTAT Foundation since 2012, where he has held the role of Chairman and currently serves as Vice-Chairman. In addition, he serves on a number of nonprofit and education boards and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and in university classrooms.

Mr. D'Agostino is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance. He also received an MBA in International Business from the University of Miami where he was summa cum laude and valedictorian of his graduating class.

Robert Meade

Robert J. Meade is the Chief Commercial Officer of Zephyrus Aviation Capital.

Mr. Meade is the former Director of Marketing Strategy and Asset Sales for CIT Aerospace, with responsibilities for directing all activity for CIT’s new aircraft order book and existing portfolio which exceeded 350 commercial aircraft and managing a team responsible for marketing assets to worldwide buyers.

During his career at CIT, Mr. Meade had a variety of roles and responsibilities within the marketing team including US and European airline relationship management, mature and late life asset sales since 2008, transaction and deal team management, airline default and distressed asset resolution, portfolio management, fleet evaluation, and marketing strategy development. During his tenure at CIT Aerospace, Mr. Meade contributed to the successful remarketing of over 275 aircraft to nearly 140 customers in 49 countries while maintaining over 99% fleet utilization rate.

Mr. Meade served in the US Air Force as an Aircraft Armament System Specialist and a campaign badge veteran who earned the rank of Technical Sergeant. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation with a focus on Management and Marketing. Mr. Meade is a long-time member of the International Society of Aircraft Trading (ISTAT) and serves on education advisory and charitable boards.

Richard Genge

Richard F. Genge is a Vice President of Zephyrus Aviation Capital.

Mr. Genge is a former Assistant Vice President – Marketing & Asset Sales at CIT Aerospace where he was responsible for sourcing opportunities for new & used aircraft lease transactions along with uncovering trading opportunities in the Americas and Europe. Additionally, he was an integral part of a cross-functional team evaluating used aircraft and engines while presenting fleet optionality to maximize asset returns and improving bottom-line results. He joins the Maverick team with thirteen years of aviation experience, including eight years of sales and marketing experience at CIT Aerospace.

Mr. Genge joined the Fort Lauderdale team at CIT Aerospace as a Marketing Analyst Intern in 2009 where he caught the aircraft leasing and financing “bug”. Over the next eight years as he advanced through the organization from Marketing Analyst to Assistant Vice President – Marketing & Asset Sales. Throughout the years, Mr. Genge’s responsibilities included airline & sales support for airlines located in North & South America, as well as Europe. While at CIT he was involved in the negotiation of ~100 aircraft lease & sales contracts while also administering aircraft leases in specific geographic areas managing up to 60 aircraft at the time. Furthermore, he managed the deal teams that oversaw lease and MOU negotiations, aircraft deliveries and redeliveries, bankruptcies, and lease restructurings for airlines in the Americas and Europe.

Mr. Genge graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, magna cum laude and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aviation Business Administration, with a concentration in Airline Management. He later received his MBA in Aviation Management, with distinction from Embry-Riddle. His native tongue is German, and he is fluent in English and speaks conversational Spanish.