David Garibaldi is a senior CFO with deep experience across private equity-backed industrial services, testing, inspection and business services platforms. He has led finance, M&amp;A, FP&amp;A, reporting, treasury, lender management and exit readiness across businesses ranging from $180M to $250M+ revenue. At Versa Integrity Group, he was brought in to prepare the platform for exit, improved reporting, control revenue leakage, managed an $80M debt structure and led the sale to Acuren, a portfolio company of American Securities.
His career is heavily weighted toward value creation and transactions. At Camin Cargo Control, he helped grow revenue from $60M to $100M and EBITDA from $18M to $30M, leading the sale from a family-owned business to Metalmark Capital Partners at a 9x multiple. He later supported acquisitions, international expansion, cash management improvements, and board-level investment cases across Latin America, Europe and North America. More recently, through Sharpe Equity Partners, he has operated as an interim/fractional CFO, supporting PE-backed businesses through acquisitions, carve-outs, budgeting, cash forecasting and strategic exits.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - PORTFOLIO SEARCH - COMMERCIAL SERVICES - USA

Albert Perez is a senior multi-site operations executive with 20+ years&rsquo; leadership experience across residential services, retail, franchise operations and private equity-backed environments. He is currently Senior Vice President of Retail Operational Growth at Turn Point Services, overseeing plumbing, HVAC and electrical operations across multiple states, with full P&amp;L responsibility exceeding $350M. He has driven major growth through retail partnerships, service-line expansion, greenfield openings, tuck-in acquisitions and operational integration, including adding plumbing and electrical services across 15 HVAC companies.
His career is defined by turning around underperforming divisions, building strong leadership teams and improving profitability. At Roto-Rooter, he led a struggling Florida division from $95M to $148M in revenue, improved gross profit from 12% to 21%+, lifted NPS by 75%, and won &ldquo;Best Division&rdquo; awards. Earlier, he led large-scale operations at Momentum Financial Services, Rent Express and Rent-A-Center, including a bankruptcy turnaround, PE sale preparation, a $15M digital transformation saving, and leadership of divisions up to 650 locations.

Chief Operating Officer

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER - PORTFOLIO SEARCH - HVAC SERVICES/ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR - USA

Jay is a serious, high-calibre Chief Executive Officer with proven range across lower middle-market businesses through to enterprise-scale operations. He has led revenue growth, margin improvement, team upgrades, sales transformation, operational professionalisation, M&amp;A, and exit execution &mdash; making him an exceptional fit for a business preparing for its next phase of value creation.
Jay was appointed to lead Design Environments, a Blackford Capital portfolio company operating across commercial and hospitality interior design, procurement, and project delivery. Following a successful turnaround led by the incumbent CEO, the business was ready to move from stabilisation to acceleration. It needed a commercially sharp, sponsor-ready leader who could drive EBITDA growth, complete a refinancing, execute acquisitions, and build toward a 2028 exit.
Described as a hands-on, accountable, and commercially strong operator, Jay brings exactly the leadership profile required to take a restored platform and convert it into a high-value exit story.

CEO – PORTFOLIO SEARCH – COMMERCIAL SERVICES – USA

Zeke Naranjo is a highly capable HVAC controls and building automation leader with extensive experience designing, implementing, and optimizing control systems across commercial mechanical environments. He combines deep technical expertise with strong organizational leadership, making him particularly effective at bridging field engineering, software development, and operational execution.
Zeke was appointed to lead the Controls division at Dual Fuel, a full-service mechanical contracting business serving multifamily and commercial buildings across the New York City metro area. Following the departure of the previous Director of Controls, the company required a technically credible leader who could stabilize the department, guide product development of the proprietary Axxon monitoring platform, and scale the division&rsquo;s revenue over the next several years.
Recognized internally for his ability to translate complex controls engineering into practical operational systems, Zeke brings the technical depth and leadership capability required to grow Dual Fuel&rsquo;s most profitable business unit.

Director of Controls

DIRECTOR OF CONTROLS

DIRECTOR OF CONTROLS – PORTFOLIO SEARCH – HVAC SERVICES & BUILDING AUTOMATION – USA

Dave Wederquist is a hands on residential services operator with strong experience professionalizing and scaling smaller home services businesses. He combines field credibility, operational discipline, and strong KPI leadership across HVAC, plumbing, sewer, and electrical services.
Dave was appointed as General Manager of Priority One Heating in Eugene, Oregon following its acquisition by Advantage Services Group (ASG). With the founders transitioning out shortly after the transaction, ASG required a leader who could stabilize the business, integrate the branch into the platform, and implement performance discipline while preserving the strong local culture.
Having repeatedly entered smaller service businesses and built structured operational systems, Dave brings the leadership profile required to professionalize the operation, increase performance, and position the business for its next phase of growth.

General Manager

GENERAL MANAGER

GENERAL MANAGER – PORTFOLIO SEARCH – HVAC SERVICES – USA

James &ldquo;Ronnie&rdquo; Burkett is a highly credible Fire &amp; Life Safety operating leader with more than 20 years of experience across commercial services platforms. He combines deep field-level credibility with multi-site P&amp;L ownership and a proven ability to complete integration, professionalize systems, and materially expand EBITDA within Private Equity-backed environments.
Ronnie was appointed to lead regional operations across Chicago and Texas for Better Protection, the Abry Partners-backed Fire &amp; Life Safety platform. With integration approximately 70% complete and COO bandwidth stretched, the business required a decisive, industry-native operator who could finish systems implementation, drive technician adoption, stabilize Chicago, and create operational consistency ahead of a planned liquidity event in 3&ndash;4 years.
Described internally as &ldquo;the adult in the room who brings structure, calm authority, and executional rigor,&rdquo; Ronnie brings exactly the leadership profile required to complete the final phase of integration and position the platform for disciplined scale.

Across PE-Backed Fire & Life Safety Platforms

President

PRESIDENT 

PRESIDENT – PORTFOLIO SEARCH – FIRE & SAFETY SERVICES – USA

Shaun Forward is a best-in-class, enterprise-level commercial leader with deep experience across multi-brand, private equity-backed commercial services platforms. He combines strategic sales architecture, marketing integration, and acquisition-enabled revenue scaling into one cohesive leadership capability.
Shaun was appointed to lead Sales &amp; Marketing for Climate Efficiency Partners, a rapidly scaling commercial HVAC and refrigeration platform operating across multiple states. With active acquisition velocity (4&ndash;5 deals annually), the business required a strategic commercial operator who could unify sales execution, drive cross-entity synergies, professionalize marketing infrastructure, and build a scalable revenue engine to support long-term value creation.
Described internally as &ldquo;the connective tissue between strategy and execution,&rdquo; Shaun brings the structure, humility, and commercial rigor required to scale a multi-entity platform without compromising culture or legacy brand strength.

Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing

SVP SALES & MARKETING

SVP SALES & MARKETING – PORTFOLIO SEARCH – COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL HVAC – USA

Daniel Evert is a best-in-class tree care and plant health operations leader with deep experience across residential and commercial services. He combines strong GM-level P&amp;L ownership with a rare ability to drive sales-led growth, rebuild accountability, and materially expand EBITDA in highly tenured, operationally complex environments.
Daniel was appointed to lead Tree Masters &ndash; San Rafael, one of the flagship businesses within the Tree Care Partners platform. Following the founder&rsquo;s transition to the board and a failed GM appointment that resulted in margin compression and stalled growth, the business required a decisive, industry-credible operator who could restore performance, reintroduce accountability, and unlock growth through modern sales and plant health care strategies.
Described internally as &ldquo;the operator who brings urgency, clarity, and business thinking back into the branch,&rdquo; Daniel brings exactly the leadership profile required to stabilise and then accelerate this business.

GENERAL MANAGER - PORTFOLIO SEARCH - RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL SERVICES - USA

Corporate Controller PE-Backed Commercial Services Platform Midwest, United States (Remote)

THE OPPORTUNITY

An opportunity to take ownership of the accounting function for a growing private equity-backed commercial services platform.

This is not a maintenance role. The business requires a leader who can bring structure, accountability, and consistency across a multi-entity organisation while improving financial reporting, accelerating month-end close processes, and helping prepare the platform for future growth and acquisitions.

The successful candidate will work directly with the CFO, CEO, operating company leadership teams, and The Private Equity Firm. They will become the architect of the accounting function, building scalable processes, standardising reporting, improving systems, and developing a stronger finance organisation capable of supporting continued expansion.

With a potential transaction event within the next 12–24 months, this role provides significant visibility and influence across the platform.

THE COMPANY

A Private Equity-backed commercial services platform generating $300M+ in revenue across multiple Midwest operating companies, providing specialist mechanical and electrical contracting services and growing through acquisitions.

WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT

• Build and standardise accounting processes across a growing multi-entity platform

• Lead finance transformation, ERP optimisation, and reporting improvements

• Partner directly with executive leadership and The Private Equity Firm

• Support acquisition integrations and future growth initiatives

• Develop and mentor finance leaders across the organisation

• Operate with significant autonomy, influence, and remote flexibility

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

Success in this role will be measured by operational, financial, leadership, and strategic outcomes.

Over the first 12 months, success will look like:

• Improve ERP performance, reporting accuracy, and financial visibility • Standardise accounting processes across all operating companies • Accelerate month-end close and reduce reporting inefficiencies • Strengthen finance team accountability and leadership development • Build scalable processes to support acquisitions and integrations

Longer term, success means creating a highly scalable accounting function with strong leadership depth, standardised reporting, efficient systems, and a finance team that serves as a true business partner to the organisation.

IDEAL BACKGROUND

Your background will include:

• Corporate Controller experience in a multi-entity environment, ideally within a Private Equity-backed business • Background in commercial services, construction, industrial services, or a related sector • Strong expertise in financial consolidations, GAAP reporting, and job costing/WIP accounting • Experience with ERP optimisation, systems improvements, and acquisition integrations • Proven leadership skills with the ability to build teams and influence stakeholders across the organisation

LOCATION

Midwest, United States

Fully remote position with preference for candidates located within the Midwest.

Travel will be required during onboarding and periodically thereafter to support operating companies and integration activities.

Relocation assistance may be available for exceptional candidates.

COMPENSATION

• Base Salary: $225,000 – $250,000 • Bonus: Up to 30% • Equity: No • 401(k): Yes • Healthcare: Yes

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

Serious about progressing your executive career in Private Equity-backed businesses? See Alex Rawlings’s advice that helps leaders understand what great looks like, how top firms hire, and how to stand out in a competitive market. (Free) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA</a>

Surround yourself with other PE-backed executives navigating the same leadership and growth challenges. Join the Private Equity Executive Community. (Free) <a href="https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/" target="_blank">https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/</a>

Corporate Controller

President / Operational Leader PE-Backed Specialty Contracting Platform South Bend, Indiana THE OPPORTUNITY An opportunity to lead the operational transformation of a private equity-backed specialty contracting business through its next phase of growth. The portfolio company has reached the point where the business has outgrown its current leadership structure. It has a strong reputation, loyal team, long-standing customer relationships, and meaningful opportunities in large-scale technical infrastructure projects. However, the business now requires a proven operator who can bring project discipline, stronger controls, operational visibility, and accountability across the organization. The founder has transitioned into an Executive Chairman role and remains a respected market-facing leader. The next phase requires a hands-on operational executive who can build repeatable systems, identify risk early, and prevent project issues becoming financial problems. For the right person, this could be a direct President role. Alternatively, it may begin as a senior operations role with a clear path to President as the platform and The Private Equity firm prepare the business for continued growth and future transaction readiness. This is a hands-on execution role, not a purely strategic seat. THE COMPANY A private equity-backed specialty contracting business in the Midwest, operating as part of a broader building services platform backed by The Private Equity firm. The platform generates $300M+ in revenue and includes multiple operating companies across the region. The portfolio company is one of the larger and historically stronger businesses in the group, with a long-standing market presence and a loyal workforce. The portfolio company operates across several core areas:
<ul><li>Electrical contracting and field services</li><li>Technical infrastructure and low-voltage services</li><li>Construction, service, and maintenance work across commercial and industrial environments</li></ul>
The business generated $90M+ in revenue, operates from two Midwest locations, and employs approximately 300 people in a heavily unionized field environment. The next stage is about moving from entrepreneurial and relationship-led success to a more scalable operating model built on consistent project execution, clearer accountability, and stronger project controls. WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT This role offers what strong operators are often looking for in a private equity-backed environment: real scale, operational complexity, sponsor visibility, and the ability to make an immediate impact. This is not a turnaround. The portfolio company has a respected name, strong customer base, committed employees, and meaningful growth opportunities. The issue is not demand, backlog, or market access. The core opportunity is to professionalise operations and make execution repeatable. For the right person, the opportunity includes:

<ul><li>Leading a respected $90M+ specialty contracting business</li><li>Building operational rigour in a business with strong market momentum</li><li>Creating project controls, forecasting discipline, and better risk visibility</li><li>Working closely with an experienced platform leadership team</li><li>Supporting growth in complex technical infrastructure markets</li><li>Establishing the operating model required for future scale and transaction readiness</li><li>Clear progression potential into a President seat</li><li>High visibility with The Private Equity firm and the platform leadership team</li><li>Potential participation in future incentive programmes connected to the next phase of ownership</li></ul>
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE Success in this role is about stabilising execution, building accountability, and creating a scalable operating model. Over the first 12 months, success will look like:

<ul><li>Establishing stronger project review processes</li><li>Improving forecasting accuracy and project controls</li><li>Increasing operational visibility across field and project teams</li><li>Creating accountability across the leadership team</li><li>Standardising execution practices across the business</li><li>Reducing workarounds and inconsistent local approaches</li><li>Improving workforce planning in a union labor environment</li><li>Supporting successful delivery of current large-scale projects</li><li>Reinforcing platform operating standards and best practices</li></ul>
Over the following 12-24 months, success will mean:

<ul><li>Building sustainable operational infrastructure</li><li>Strengthening risk management and early-warning processes</li><li>Developing the leadership bench across operations and project management</li><li>Improving consistency of field execution</li><li>Ensuring execution can keep pace with growth</li><li>Positioning the portfolio company for its next phase of scale and potential transaction readiness</li></ul>
IDEAL BACKGROUND Your background will include:

<ul><li>Experience as a President, General Manager, COO, VP Operations, Division Manager, Branch President, or senior field operations leader</li><li>Full P&amp;L responsibility within a contracting, field services, or specialty trades environment</li><li>Self-perform construction or field operations experience</li><li>Experience leading large field workforces</li><li>Union labor experience or meaningful exposure to complex labor environments</li><li>Strong project execution, project controls, and operational systems experience</li><li>Track record of improving accountability, consistency, and operating discipline</li><li>Ability to assess project health quickly and challenge reporting where needed</li><li>Experience leading change in a long-standing, relationship-led business</li><li>Comfort operating hands-on in the field and with customers</li><li>Experience in electrical, mechanical, industrial services, or specialty trades construction is preferred</li><li>Leadership experience in a business of roughly $40M+ to $150M+ revenue</li></ul>
The ideal candidate will be decisive, humble, operationally rigorous, and willing to lead from the front. They must be able to set expectations, make difficult decisions, challenge legacy ways of working, and build credibility with long-tenured employees. LOCATION Indiana, USA The role is expected to be based on-site. A relocation package is available. Travel will be higher during the first few months while the successful candidate builds relationships across the platform and field teams. Longer term, travel is expected to be limited to periodic visits with the wider leadership team. Experience across the Midwest region would be advantageous. COMPENSATION

<ul><li>Base salary: $200,000 - $250,000</li><li>Bonus: 50% - 100%</li><li>Equity: Potential future incentive participation</li><li>401(k): Available, with employer matching</li><li>Healthcare: Employer-paid healthcare coverage available</li><li>Relocation: Available</li></ul>
 Raw Selection is an executive search firm working exclusively with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies across Europe &amp; North America. Serious about progressing your executive career in Private Equity-backed businesses? See Alex Rawlings&#39;s advice that helps leaders understand what great looks like, how top firms hire, and how to stand out in a competitive market. (Free) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA</a> Surround yourself with other PE-backed executives navigating the same leadership and growth challenges. Join the Private Equity Executive Community. (Free) <a href="https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/" target="_blank">https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/</a>

<h1>SVP of Operations</h1>

Residential Home Services Platform Denver, Colorado / Location Flexible

<h2>THE OPPORTUNITY</h2>

An opportunity to build and lead operational excellence across a residential home services platform.

The company has scaled quickly through organic growth and acquisitions and is now focused on becoming a fully integrated, operationally driven business. The mandate is to create consistency across locations, strengthen the operating model, and turn an existing leadership playbook into something more robust, trainable, and scalable.

This is not a President or P&amp;L ownership role. It is a senior functional operating leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO, with the expectation that the successful candidate will become the platform’s operational partner, build credibility with field leaders, and help professionalise how the business runs across the organisation.

For the right person, this is the chance to build the operations function from the ground up inside a growing platform with long-term ambition.

<h2>THE COMPANY</h2>

A residential home services platform operating across the western US, with a strong focus on technical trade services, customer relationships, and branch-level execution.

The company generates $100M+ in revenue and has completed more than ten acquisitions to date. The business has a multi-location footprint and is now focused on integration, standardisation, leadership alignment, and operational excellence across the platform.

The company is highly growth-oriented, with a long-term ambition to build a materially larger platform over the next decade. The strategy is built around disciplined acquisition integration, stronger central standards, scalable systems, and consistent branch-level performance.

The culture is entrepreneurial, performance-driven, collaborative, and highly values-led. The leadership team places significant emphasis on ownership, accountability, customer relationships, team engagement, and leaders who are fully committed to the journey.

<h2>WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT</h2>

This role offers a rare opportunity to build the operational backbone of a scaled but still developing platform.

The business is not starting from zero. It already has a meaningful footprint, strong leadership, an established operating foundation, and ambitious growth plans. However, the formal operations function does not yet exist in the way it needs to for the next phase of scale.

For the right person, the opportunity includes:

Owning operational excellence across the platform Building the operations function from scratch Taking an existing playbook and turning it into a scalable operating system Creating consistent standards and accountability across locations Helping newly acquired businesses integrate quickly and effectively Partnering directly with the CEO as a senior operating leader Building credibility with GMs, regional leaders, and field teams Shaping how the platform runs as it scales Progressing over time into a broader senior leadership seat Joining a business with significant long-term growth ambition and meaningful equity upside

<h2>WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE</h2>

Success in this role is about moving the company from a high-growth platform with strong local operators into a more integrated, consistent, and professionally run operating system.

Over the first 12-24 months, success will look like:

Taking ownership of operational excellence across the platform Building trust and credibility quickly with GMs, regional leaders, and branch teams Learning the business deeply before making changes Evolving the current playbook into something more robust, trainable, teachable, and scalable Driving consistency in how locations operate Improving accountability and execution across the branch network Creating central standards without damaging local buy-in Integrating newly acquired businesses operationally and culturally Helping the organisation run through one consistent model Building the foundations of a formal operations team over time Becoming the CEO’s strategic operating partner

Longer term, success means becoming a trusted senior leader, helping the platform become one of the most integrated and operationally excellent businesses in its sector, and positioning the successful candidate as a clear operating partner to the CEO.

<h2>IDEAL BACKGROUND</h2>

Your background will include:

Senior operational leadership experience in residential HVAC or broader home services Significant trade-specific credibility and experience Experience building, improving, or implementing operational playbooks Multi-location or multi-site leadership experience Experience working across GMs, regional leaders, and branch-level operators A track record of driving operational consistency across distributed locations Experience scaling through acquisitions and integrating newly acquired businesses Strong process discipline and the ability to turn best practice into repeatable execution Experience in a private equity-backed, professionally run, or high-growth platform environment A background as a VP Operations, COO, Market or Area President, or senior operational leader in a scaled home services platform

You will bring senior executive presence, strong EQ, trade credibility, and deep operational expertise. They will be hands-on but strategic, practical, process-driven, and capable of influencing senior operators without relying solely on hierarchy.

You will need to be confident enough to challenge constructively, humble enough to learn the business first, and committed enough to build for the long term. This is a role for someone who wants to wear the jersey, build something meaningful, and become a true partner in the next stage of the platform’s growth.

<h2>LOCATION</h2>

Location flexible across the US

The business is predominantly based in the western US, and the role will require regular travel to operating locations. The successful candidate should expect to be on-site across the platform on a frequent basis.

<h2>COMPENSATION</h2>

Base salary: $225,000 - $300,000 Bonus: $50,000 - $100,000 Equity: Yes 401(k): Yes Healthcare: Yes

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

Serious about progressing your executive career in Private Equity-backed businesses? See Alex Rawlings’s advice that helps leaders understand what great looks like, how top firms hire, and how to stand out in a competitive market. (Free) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA</a>

Surround yourself with other PE-backed executives navigating the same leadership and growth challenges. Join the Private Equity Executive Community. (Free) <a href="https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/" target="_new">https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/</a>

SVP of Operations

<h1>Chief Financial Officer</h1>

PE-Backed Food Manufacturing Business Yoakum, Texas / Remote with regular travel

<h2>THE OPPORTUNITY</h2>

An opportunity to lead the finance function of a private equity-backed food manufacturing business through its next phase of performance improvement and sale preparation.

The mandate is focused on the core blocking and tackling of a strong CFO role: financial reporting, accounting discipline, lender communication, covenant awareness, board-level visibility, cash management, and practical commercial support to the CEO.

The portfolio company has an interim finance leader in place, but the business now needs a permanent CFO who can step in quickly, bring structure, and help prepare the company for a successful transaction. The Private Equity firm remains focused on an eventual exit and sees a clear path to a strong outcome as performance stabilises.

This is not a passive reporting role. It is a hands-on CFO seat in a lean, fast-moving environment where the right person can directly influence performance, lender confidence, margin quality, and transaction readiness.

<h2>THE COMPANY</h2>

The portfolio company is a private equity-backed food manufacturing and protein processing business serving a diversified customer base across retail, foodservice, and broader commercial channels.

The business produces a range of prepared protein products and operates across multiple sites, including a primary facility in Texas and another facility in South Carolina.

The company has completed a prior acquisition and has also taken steps to move away from lower-margin work. The current focus is on strengthening financial discipline, improving the quality of revenue, onboarding new business at the right margins, and building a finance function capable of supporting the next stage of ownership.

The Private Equity firm is a control investor focused on middle-market, asset-intensive companies, including businesses with growth potential, operational complexity, or challenging situations where speed, execution, and hands-on support are important.

<h2>WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT</h2>

This role offers a CFO the opportunity to make an immediate and visible impact in a private equity-backed environment.

<ul><li>The business is in an attractive category with strong strategic demand drivers. Protein and broader food manufacturing remain highly relevant markets, and the portfolio company has a differentiated position within its niche.</li><li>For the right person, the opportunity includes:</li><li>Leading the finance and accounting function of a sizeable private equity-backed portfolio company</li><li>Working directly with a seasoned CEO and an engaged board</li><li>Owning monthly financial reporting and board-level financial updates</li><li>Improving lender communication, covenant visibility, and cash discipline</li><li>Helping prepare the business for a future sale process</li><li>Supporting margin improvement and more disciplined onboarding of new business</li><li>Building and strengthening a finance team across multiple sites</li><li>Participating in a long-term incentive structure with a clear path to value creation</li></ul>

<h2>WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE</h2>

Success in this role means bringing clarity, control, and confidence to the finance function.

Over the first 12–24 months, success will look like:

<ul><li>Establishing strong monthly reporting, forecasting, and board communication</li><li>Maintaining a clear understanding of accounting policies, practices, procedures, and systems</li><li>Strengthening lender reporting, covenant tracking, and audit readiness</li><li>Improving visibility into cash, working capital, margins, and operational performance</li><li>Partnering with the CEO to support commercial decision-making and margin discipline</li><li>Helping the business onboard new work at appropriate margin levels</li><li>Building a more resilient finance team and adding the right support where needed</li><li>Creating a stronger foundation for a future sale process</li></ul>

Longer term, success means helping the portfolio company become a cleaner, more predictable, better-run asset that is ready for a successful transaction.

<h2>IDEAL BACKGROUND</h2>

Your background will include:

<ul><li>A minimum of 10 years in progressively more responsible finance roles</li><li>Recent experience as CFO of a $100M+ revenue organisation, or as a direct report to the CFO / senior finance leader in a $500M+ revenue organisation</li><li>Experience operating in a leveraged environment, ideally within a private equity-backed or publicly traded company</li><li>A strong understanding of financial reporting, accounting controls, lender communication, bank covenants, and audit processes</li><li>Experience building and leading finance teams</li><li>M&amp;A and acquisition integration experience would be highly valuable</li><li>Prior food, protein, commodity-driven, consumer products, or manufacturing experience would be strongly preferred</li><li>Experience preparing a business for sale would be valuable, but is not essential</li></ul>

The successful candidate will be hands-on, entrepreneurial, commercially practical, and comfortable operating in a lean environment. They will be able to work closely with a demanding, performance-driven CEO while bringing calm, discipline, and credibility to the finance function.

<h2>LOCATION</h2>

Texas, USA

The portfolio company has operations in Texas and South Carolina. Being on-site is a plus, but the business is open to remote candidates who are willing to travel regularly to the facilities.

Relocation support may be considered where reasonable.

<h2>COMPENSATION</h2>

Base salary: $220,000

Bonus: Flexible

Equity / long-term incentive: Yes

401(k): Yes

Healthcare: Yes

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

Serious about progressing your executive career in Private Equity-backed businesses?

See Alex Rawlings’s advice that helps leaders understand what great looks like, how top firms hire, and how to stand out in a competitive market. (Free) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA" target="_new">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0_Wj_ni8VvTOXtehwMznqA</a>

Surround yourself with other PE-backed CFOs navigating the same leadership and growth challenges.

Join the Private Equity Executive Community. (Free) <a href="https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/" target="_new">https://www.raw-selection.com/communities/</a>

Software

Alex founded Raw Selection in 2017 and has been dedicated to growing the business and proving exceptional service for our clients ever since.  On the off chance Alex takes a day off, he’ll be spending it with his son, his dog Toby, or on DIY projects that (sometimes) get finished.  Ask Alex about: When his last day off was. Seriously. Nobody knows

<h6>Alex is the driving force behind the focus on excellence and mastery and the name behind Raw Selection.</h6>
Alex Rawlings is the Founder and Managing Partner of Raw Selection, an executive search firm he launched in 2017 to provide Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies with a rigorous, process-driven approach to identifying and securing exceptional talent. With over a decade in executive search, Alex has built a reputation for de-risking executive search by focusing on repeatable, high-impact search processes that consistently deliver the right leaders for investor-backed businesses.
A true student of business and leadership, Alex is the author of How to Hire and a firm believer in continuous self-development. His extensive personal library is filled with books on leadership, management, and performance, with Patrick Lencioni ranking as his favourite author. Alex applies these insights daily, ensuring Raw Selection operates at the highest level of effectiveness and client service.
He also shares his expertise as the host of The Private Equity Podcast, a leading industry podcast with over 100 episodes, where he interviews top Private Equity professionals and portfolio executives to extract actionable insights on leadership, hiring, and value creation.
When he&rsquo;s not working&mdash;which is rare&mdash;Alex can be found spending time with his wife Lucy, son Theodore, and dog Toby, or watching the rugby with a glass of spiced rum from his extensive collection.
If you&rsquo;re looking for a highly effective, no-nonsense approach to executive search, Alex and the team at Raw Selection are ready to help.
<h6>A testimonial from Paul Doyle Managing Partner at Blackford Capital post working with Alex.</h6>
Over the years, I have worked with many recruiting and staffing agencies, and there are a few key qualities I consistently look for in professional partners. As you read my criteria, I want you to know that Alex Rawlings and the team at Raw Selection have exemplified all these qualities at an exceptional level.
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li style="font-style: italic;">
True Partnership: I value recruiting partners who are genuinely invested in finding the best person to serve my organization&mdash;not just someone to fill a role. This means taking the time to deeply understand my company, its objectives, strategies, and, most importantly, its culture. Alex and his team have done this remarkably well.
</li>
<li style="font-style: italic;">
Determination, Grit, and Follow-Through: I look for partners who are relentless in their mission to achieve results. It's not just about the hours they put in; it&rsquo;s about their unwavering focus on accomplishing the task. Raw Selection embodies this mindset.
</li>
<li style="font-style: italic;">
Professional Competence: While essential, I rank this last among my criteria because I take it as a given. That said, Alex and his team excel in their market knowledge, their ability to identify top talent, and their rigorous screening process. They consistently present only the most qualified candidates, saving me an incredible amount of time and ensuring we meet our hiring goals.
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In summary, Alex Rawlings and Raw Selection are outstanding recruiting partners. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking to hire senior executives in the private equity space. Paul Doyle, Managing Partner, Blackford Capital

Alex Rawlings

Jack joined us out of University at the start of 2020, and immediately took to the world of Private Equity. Since then, he has seen the quickest career progression of anyone in the business, joining us an Associate, he now heads up his own team, securing C-Suite executives in Aerospace and Defence, Industrial and Manufacturing. Ask Jack about: Cooking, Derby FC, being voted the most Italian in the office, and why he's not allowed to make recommendations on work nights out anymore.  

Aerospace &amp; Defense | Manufacturing | Machined/Fabricated Components CXO Executive Search for Private Equity Backed Portfolio Companies
Jack Burns is a specialist in executive search for Private Equity Portfolio Companies,&nbsp;focusing on the manufacturing sector with specialist knowledge in the Aerospace &amp; Defence&nbsp;market. Holding a degree in Business Management from the Manchester Metropolitan University.&nbsp; He works closely with investors and leadership teams to identify exceptional talent that can drive value creation and operational excellence in high-growth, investor-backed businesses.
Jack has consistently performed at the highest level since he joined in 2020, recognised by his clients and the firm for his performance and regularly receiving awards, promotions and recognitions for his work.
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"I have worked with many recruiting firms over the years, but Raw Selection is by far the best. Jack Burns is a model recruiter, efficient, knowledgeable, high energy&hellip; a pleasure to work with.
No one likes to pay fees to hire employees, but the right position, placed in a timely fashion, pays for itself.&rdquo;
Operating Partner, Ventoux Industrial Holdings
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Jack Burns 

Mo heads up our HVAC division, and has yet to meet a retainer he can't pitch. Mo says, "I interviewed at many firms before Raw Selection, but the moment I came into the building, met the team, and discussed the visions and growth plans Alex has for Raw Selection, it was a no-brainer. Everything aligned with my personal goals and development plans to build my knowledge and grow". Ask Mo about: Football! Manchester United specifically

Residential &amp; Commercial Services CXO Executive Search for Private Equity Backed Portfolio Companies Mo leads the firm&rsquo;s Residential &amp; Commercial Services division, with a specialist focus on the HVAC services sector across the USA. With extensive knowledge of the industry, Mohammed partners with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to identify and secure top-tier leadership talent that drives operational excellence and business growth.
His tailored, industry-specific approach ensures that every search is aligned with the unique challenges and opportunities in the sector. Whether it&rsquo;s placing key senior executives or building out entire leadership teams, Mohammed connects clients with proven industry leaders who can optimize operations, accelerate expansion, and create long-term value.
If you&rsquo;re looking to hire top-performing executives in the Residential/Commercial services sector, or want insights into talent strategies for Private Equity-backed businesses, connect with Mohammed for market expertise and an unrivaled track record of successful placements.
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Testimonials:
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"We reached a point where one of our businesses needed more leadership. Due to explosive growth we could no longer manage under the current organizational structure. We engaged Raw Selection who has sound experience in our space to find the right GM with the right Culture Index profile coupled with industry experience. Within just a couple of weeks, Raw identified the right talent, expedited the interview process with our team and soon after we had the right person in the right seat doing the work that really matters. For CHS this was a critical and timely hire and Raw delivered."
Paul Adams, CEO, Columbia Home Services
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Mohammed Vali

Haleema joined us in 2020 as a law graduate with a Recruitment background. She may have been voted most likely to cry at work, but that doesn't stop her from showing up every day and being the hardest worker in the room in the search for excellence for her clients. Haleema heads up the Private Equity division, partnering with PE firms across the East Coast to fill their Investment teams. Ask Haleema about: Mindset, Self-development, and designer handbags.

Haleema Hussain is part of the Senior Leadership Team at Raw Selection and manages both our Executive Search team and Delivery Team. She specialises in private equity-backed executive appointments across North America, supporting PE firms with Operating Partner hires, as well as C-suite and senior leadership appointments for their portfolio companies.
Haleema has built a reputation for delivering high-calibre talent that aligns with the specific needs of private equity firms and their portfolio companies. Holding a Law degree from BPP, The University of Law, she brings a sharp analytical mindset and meticulous attention to detail to executive search. Her understanding of due diligence, value creation priorities and the importance of elite leadership talent enables her to tailor searches with precision and support clients in securing executives who can accelerate growth and returns.

Haleema Hussain

Krista joins Raw Selection as Vice President of Operations, playing a key role in strengthening and scaling the firm’s operational infrastructure.

Krista joins Raw Selection as Vice President of Operations, playing a key role in strengthening and scaling the firm&rsquo;s operational infrastructure.
She brings extensive experience in operational leadership, process improvement and service delivery, with a strong track record of building clear, scalable operating models. At Raw Selection, Krista focuses on driving operational efficiency, improving workflows and embedding robust systems that enables our teams to perform at their best and support continued growth.

Krista Long 

Aaron seems to know the lyrics for every song we play in the office, and sings them, loudly. When he's not doing Karaoke, Aaron is responsible for sourcing executive appointments for Private Equity portfolio businesses globally. Don't let his stance playing pool put you off either. Ask Aaron about: The word ” llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch”  

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Aaron is a member of the Research team, bringing a strong academic foundation and a methodical approach to identifying and analysing executive talent. Holding a degree in Human Physiology from Leeds University, Aaron supports our executive search processes by conducting deep-dive market mapping, talent identification, data-driven research and assessment of executives.
Aaron leverages strategic sourcing methods, built around the unique 17-step process at Raw Selection all with a focus on uncovering exceptional talent across niche and competitive sectors. His commitment to precision and quality ensures Raw Selection consistently delivers the leadership needed to drive performance and long-term success.
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Aaron Griffin 

Kaj is an absolute powerhouse in our HVAC team, he gets one million leads a month! (Okay, maybe not exactly, but it’s a lot.)  Before making the move to the UK, Kaj lived in Hong Kong, and if that wasn’t cool enough, he also happens to have the cutest dog. If you’re a dog lover, you’ll get along with him instantly!  Ask Kaj about: How to pronounce his name and anything about climbing.

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Kaj operates in the Commercial &amp; Residential Services team, specialising in working with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to secure exceptional talent. Holding a degree in International Business &amp; Finance from the University of Leeds.&nbsp; Kaj has undertaken a considerable amount of work with Private Equity-backed HVAC businesses. With a focused and proactive approach, Kaj works closely with clients to identify candidates who can deliver operational excellence and drive growth.
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Kaj Sawyer Coffey

Joseph is an Associate specializing in Raw Selection’s Consumer Sector practice, focused on Private Equity-backed portfolio companies.

<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-ligatures: standardcontextual; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">Joseph Warwick holds a first-class degree in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh. He specialises in our Consumer and Retail division, supporting PE-backed companies. He is passionate about private equity, a passion shaped by his father&rsquo;s entrepreneurial journey: building a business from scratch and ultimately selling it to private equity. Having seen first-hand the ambition, resilience and value creation involved in that journey, Joseph developed a strong interest in working with investors and leadership teams to help businesses scale and transform. He is also proficient in German.

Joseph Warwick

Fraser is part of the Research team, bringing a solid academic background and a meticulous approach to executive talent analysis.

Commercial &amp; Residential Services &ndash; HVAC Services CXO Executive Search for Private Equity Backed Portfolio Companies
Fraser operates in the Commercial &amp; Residential Services team, specialising in partnering with Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies to identify and attract exceptional leadership talent. A History and American Studies graduate from the University of Leicester, Fraser brings a meticulous and research-driven approach to executive search.
Fraser works closely with clients to identify and engage candidates capable of driving operational performance and accelerating growth.

Fraser Barrie 

Ben is an Associate within Raw Selection’s Manufacturing & Industrial division, partnering with Private Equity-backed portfolio companies. 

Ben is an Associate within Raw Selection&rsquo;s Manufacturing &amp; Industrial division, partnering with Private Equity-backed portfolio companies. He holds a First Class degree in Business Management from the University of Manchester. Ben has an entrepreneurial background, having built an Amazon FBA business from scratch.

Ben Powell

Helen Levesley is a Video Content Specialist at Raw Selection, responsible for producing and editing high-impact video across social, podcast, and long-form platforms.
A Film Technology graduate from the University of York, she combines strong technical skills with sharp visual storytelling to turn ideas into engaging, audience-driven content.

Helen Levesley

Ravi is the head of the research and data team gathering data for the team.  He combines data-driven insights with a deep understanding of the market to map out the right leaders for every search.  What Ravi enjoys most about Private Equity is how fast-paced and data-rich the industry is, using data not just to track talent but to spot patterns and trends that help build stronger leadership teams.

Administration &amp; Data Ravi has worked at Raw Selection since its founding in 2017, based out in India. Ravi has been instrumental in the building of our proprietary data set. We only trust our own data, and we have built this manually every quarter. Ravi and his team map out the Private Equity industry and their portfolio companies within our specialisms, so we have the most accurate data for our sales teams and already know the talent to approach for our searches.&nbsp; Ravi manages a data set of 70,000+, and his data collection is instrumental in the production of our industry-leading market reports and data, more accurate than the leading data aggregators in the industry.&nbsp;

Ravi Kumar

Bhavya is a Researcher at our executive search firm, supporting Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies by identifying and mapping senior talent.   She focuses on gathering market intelligence and uncovering key insights to build strong leadership pipelines.  What Bhavya finds most exciting about Private Equity is how insight-rich the space is — using research to spot talent trends and help connect exceptional leaders with high-impact roles.

Administration &amp; Data Bhavya is also located in India. Bhavya has been instrumental in the building of our proprietary data set.&nbsp; We only trust our own data, and we have built this manually every quarter. Bhavya maps out the Private Equity industry and their portfolio companies within our specialisms, so we have the most accurate data for our sales teams and already know the talent to approach for our searches.&nbsp; The data &amp; admin team manages a data set of 70,000+, and his data collection is instrumental in the production of our industry-leading market reports and data, more accurate than the leading data aggregators in the industry.&nbsp;