Piers joined Gryphon in 2023 as a Managing Director, bringing more than 25 years of experience as an Information Technology executive with a global career spanning various industry verticals and exposure to multiple technologies and international markets. Piers is focused on providing IT advisory services to Gryphon and its portfolio companies, helping ensure that they have the optimal IT strategies to support their core business transformation goals. Additionally, Piers will be heavily focused on providing cyber security support across the group.
Ann Akichika
Ann joined Gryphon in 2023 to lead the firm’s daily operations, investor relations, and fundraising efforts. She brings three decades of financial services experience to Gryphon, with the first decade of her career as deal professional in investment banking before transitioning to operating roles at investment firms. She has held newly created COO roles at Thomas Weisel Partners (NASDAQ: TWPG, now Stifel Financial) and Artisan Partners (NYSE: APAM) where she built high-performing teams, management systems, and best practices to support transformational growth. Both companies completed IPOs during her tenure. Ann also managed a multi-billion-dollar family office and was a limited partner in several private equity funds.
John Jacobs
John joined Gryphon in 2022 as a Managing Director and the firm’s Head of Compliance and Deputy General Counsel. John brings over 28 years of legal and financial industry experience, specializing in regulatory compliance and private funds.
Mark Abatto
Mark joined Gryphon in 2022 as a Managing Director in Gryphon’s Operations Resources Group. In his role, he partners with Gryphon’s portfolio companies to implement and scale world-class finance and accounting operations in support of strategic growth. Mark brings over 25 years of operating experience leading middle market growth companies and large multi-nationals. His unique leadership perspective as a former CFO, COO, and division president has helped private equity sponsored and publicly traded businesses alike to maximize shareholder returns.
Jeff Mills
Jeff joined Gryphon in 2022 as a Managing Director to lead and scale Gryphon’s Fundraising and Investors Relations capabilities. He brings more than 25 years of experience in fundraising, marketing, client service, and management. Throughout his time in fundraising and investor relations, he has established new business initiatives throughout the capital formation cycle, developing and managing strategic relationships and separate accounts.
Barry Becker
Barry joined Gryphon in 2022 as a Managing Director in Gryphon’s Human Capital Group and focuses on Human Resource (HR) activities. In his role he works with senior executives and working teams within the Software and Business Services Groups to lead, manage, and facilitate human capital, organizational, and human resource effectiveness initiatives. Barry also works with the Gryphon Human Capital Team to more broadly develop human resources processes for our portfolio HR leaders. Barry’s specialty skills include organizational and HR assessment, employee engagement, performance management, total rewards, employee relations, HR Operations, and mergers & acquisitions.
Jill Pergande
Jill focuses on Human Resources (HR) activities within Gryphon’s Human Capital Group. In her role, she partners with Gryphon Operating Partners and CEOs and CHROs within Gryphon’s Consumer Products and Services Group and Heritage Fund portfolios to build strong HR capabilities.
Greg Thomas
Greg joined Gryphon in 2022 as a Managing Director in Gryphon’s Operations Resources Group, where he partners with Gryphon portfolio companies to implement best practices across project, process, and change management. Greg has significant experience managing complex projects in the areas of technology and finance and building and leading project management offices (“PMOs”).
Sharon Goethals
Sharon joined Gryphon in 2021 as a Managing Director, bringing more than 20 years of experience leading and empowering talent globally. She is focused on internal human capital matters within Gryphon, including managing the firm’s internal talent development and talent management strategies. In her role she oversees benefits, employee experience, performance management, training, and leadership development. She also supports the talent acquisition and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for the firm.
Blake Bonyko
Blake joined Gryphon in 2021 as a Managing Director in Gryphon’s Operations Resources Group, where he partners with Gryphon’s portfolio companies to implement best practices in finance, tax, accounting, information technology, and regulatory compliance, with a focus on scalability, efficiency, and control. He brings over 20 years of experience as a CFO with leading global companies owned by private equity firms. Blake has significant experience in sell side transactions, debt financing, value creation, and information technology system implementations.