THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

This PE-backed platform delivers inspection, maintenance, and installation services across fire and life safety systems, with a primary focus on the marine sector—serving commercial vessels, private yachts, cruise lines, and military ships. With operations in Oakland, Fort Lauderdale, and Los Angeles, the business is actively transitioning from marine dominance to expanding into commercial and industrial real estate fire safety services. The company has completed three acquisitions since September 2024, with ambitions to build a national platform through both M&A and organic growth.

The platform currently generates $20M in revenue with $3.3M in YTD EBITDA and a goal to reach $5M EBITDA by year-end. The long-term vision is to scale to $15–$20M EBITDA and achieve a strategic or sponsor-backed exit.

 

THE PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM

The firm is a first-time fund with $100M AUM, pursuing control buyouts and aggressive buy-and-build strategies across Industrials, Business Services, and Healthcare. Their investment thesis centers on professionalizing founder-led businesses and scaling platforms through focused M&A and operational improvement. The firm is hands-on early in the hold and highly supportive in execution. They invest in people, not just assets.

Other portfolio businesses include HVAC services and fire safety platforms. The team is based in Los Angeles and is deeply involved in strategy and execution—stepping in when needed and stepping back once teams are built.

 

THE CULTURE

The platform is in the early stages of cultural transformation. Historically founder-led and location-centric, the business is moving from a fractured C-grade culture toward a cohesive, mission-driven environment. Pride exists at the field level, particularly in marine services, but there is a strong need for leadership to instill structure, values, and accountability.

The CEO will be instrumental in driving this cultural shift—developing leadership, building an outbound sales motion, professionalizing service delivery, and establishing core business functions such as HR and strategic operations.

 

VISION

What does success look like in this role?

• Reach $5M EBITDA by year-end and $15–$20M within 3 years.
• Execute a quarterly cadence of acquisitions with seamless integration.
• Build and lead a high-performance team—VP Sales, Ops Lead, VP M&A, HR Lead.
• Drive cultural transformation across three locations.
• Migrate from marine-dominant to diversified fire & life safety platform.
• Position the company for a strategic or sponsor-led exit.

 

THE ROLE

The CEO will be responsible for:

• Leading all aspects of the platform—strategy, operations, financial performance, and culture.
• Building and leading a team capable of scaling to $20M EBITDA.
• Executing and integrating add-on acquisitions in coordination with Walk-On Capital.
• Driving organic growth initiatives including outbound sales and commercial expansion.
• Professionalizing all business functions: HR, service delivery, finance, and operations.
• Representing the platform to the board and investors.

 

KEY SELLING POINTS OF THE ROLE

• Lead a growing platform in a $68.5Bn+ market with strong M&A momentum.
• Opportunity to build and own the story of a sponsor-backed roll-up.
• High equity upside—aligned directly with the sponsor's contribution.
• Supportive and execution-driven board with track record of value creation.
• Be the face of a future $20M EBITDA exit with strategic and sponsor interest already validated.

 

KEY CHALLENGES FOR THE ROLE

• First-time PE-backed business—requires pace, structure, and vision.
• Fragmented operations and inconsistent professionalism across sites.
• Low process maturity—requires hands-on transformation.
• Marine sector complexity requires sensitivity to safety, regulation, and nuance.
• Building trust and alignment across legacy leadership and new team.

 

YOUR BACKGROUND

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Prior CEO or #2 experience in a PE-backed business.
• Buy-and-build experience—deal sourcing, diligence, and integration.
• Industry experience in Fire & Life Safety, Facilities Services, or related sectors.
• Proven leadership across both blue- and white-collar environments.
• Track record of building high-performing teams and scaling to $10M+ EBITDA.

 

YOUR CHARACTERISTICS

• Strategic and structured thinker with execution bias.
• High ownership mindset—proactive and solutions-driven.
• Servant leader with strong team-building ability.
• Comfortable rolling up sleeves—lead from the front.
• High emotional intelligence with disciplined leadership.

 

LOCATION

Flexible – must be willing to travel weekly

 

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• Basic Salary: $325,000–$400,000
• Bonus: 25–35%
• Equity: Up to 5% of the Management Incentive Plan (MIP), fully aligned with sponsor’s contribution
• Benefits: 401k, healthcare

 

Raw Selection is an executive search firm working exclusively with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe & North America.

 

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