We are entrepreneurial investors who have operated growing businesses.
Gary n. lewis, MANAGING PARTNER
Gary N. Lewis is the founder and Managing Partner of Aquila Equity Partners, an entrepreneurial private investment firm focused on partnering with growth-focused management teams and operating businesses which generate between $1mm and $20mm in EBITDA. He brings greater than 20 years of private equity investing, investment banking and operational experience to the firm, including involvement in approximately $8 billion in transaction and advisory assignments.
Gary began his career in investment banking with Banc of America Securities in New York City. While working in the firm’s Global Industrials and Services Group, he assisted middle market and Fortune 500 clients with mergers, acquisitions and divestitures and capital-raising transactions.
After Banc of America Securities, Gary spent the next 8 years as a private equity investor with Michigan-based Bainbridge Ventures, and Chicago-based Winona Capital and Goense Capital Partners. During this time, he invested in and worked with growth-focused middle market companies across a variety of industries, including consumer / retail, healthcare, niche manufacturing and labor-based business services. Gary was responsible for deal origination, transaction execution, and post-closing strategic and operational support of portfolio companies, including serving in interim executive roles. In addition, he previously held an operating role as a Vice President of Acquisitions and Business Development with a healthcare services company providing care for patients along the post-acute care continuum.
In 2013, Gary moved home to his native Michigan and, prior to starting Aquila, spent the last several years in investment banking, including serving as a Managing Director and on the management committee with Cascade Partners, a leading middle market, Midwest-based firm. During this time, he advised entrepreneurial driven & family owned businesses primarily operating in the consumer / retail, healthcare, business services and value-added distribution industries. Today, Gary also serves as a board member of a leading independent wireless retail dealer, a merchant services and payments organization and as Co-Chairman of both a rapidly growing HVACR & Mechanical services company and a Asset-Light Logistics company.
Gary graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.A. in economics. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and has studied at L’Ecole Superieure de Commerce in France.
Outside of his professional life, Gary and his wife spend most of their time keeping up with their young and active children. Gary is also a huge sports fan, especially rooting for teams from Detroit or Michigan. In addition, he enjoys skiing, biking, fishing, playing basketball and squash at the Detroit Athletic Club, and traveling with his family.
EDWIN J. LUKAS, STRATEGIC PARTNER
Edwin J. Lukas is a trusted advisor to public and private companies, clients and colleagues. He has over 25 years of experience in corporate law, acquisitions, corporate finance, corporate governance, capital markets, business development, and private client services. Mr. Lukas is the founder of Vistula PLC, a business law firm for emerging and established companies, investors, and family enterprises. He previously served as executive vice president and general counsel of a prominent single-family office in the Great Lakes Region, and he is currently on the board of Charthouse Holdings LLC, Pinnacle MEP Holdings LLC, P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTSI), United Petroleum Transports, Inc. and Universal Traffic Services, Inc. Lukas is also a former partner of Bodman PLC in Detroit.
Mr. Lukas is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (B.A., International Relations) and the University of Detroit School of Law (J.D), where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the University of Detroit Law Review.
ANDREW REED, STRATEGIC PARTNER
Andrew Reed is an experienced operating executive having spent over 30 years working with publicly- traded, family-owned and private equity-owned companies. His industry experience has extended from consumer products and specialty retail to building products manufacturing/distribution and distributed labor service businesses across the US. With deep expertise in marketing and sales, product lifecycle management and opening new markets, he has a bias for driving revenue growth. However, Andy also has a keen understanding of lean organizations, supply chain management and operational efficiencies. He has a passion for integrating new businesses into a company portfolio. In doing so, Andy focuses on preserving the success-drivers, while augmenting the organization with development resources to accelerate its growth into the next chapter of its history.
Andy currently serves as CEO of a rapidly growing HVACR & Mechanical services business. Previously, he has served on the boards of several businesses, including US LBM, a building material and lumber yard investment and Plumbing Master, a commercial account emergency pipe repair/replacement business. He has also served on the Illinois state service organization for Habitat for Humanity supporting 54 area chapters across the state with training and resources to support their local impact. He is currently on the board of Team Long Run, an educational non-profit dedicated to providing character education through running programs for rural elementary aged children without access to after school program. The program starts with providing running shoes to children who need them to participate in the program.
In addition, Andy has consulted with numerous companies through Reed Advisory Services, a consultancy which provides hands-on support for family businesses working through succession planning and preparing next-generation managers. He also supports new business strategy and front- end development work. As a member of the Institute for Family-Owned Businesses based in Portland, ME, he is a resource for the membership via conferences, speaking engagements and direct consulting.
Andy graduated from Principia College with a B.A. in History. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. In his personal life, Andy is married to his wife Leslie and they have two daughters, Eliza and Olivia. He is an avid hiker, having crossed England following Hadrian’s Wall and numerous hikes throughout New England.
Ashley Gray, Managing Director
Ashley Gray is the Managing Director with Aquila Equity Partners. In her role, Ashley is involved in all areas of the firm’s activities from deal sourcing, underwriting, and transaction execution to supporting our portfolio company partners.
Ashley brings more than a decade of experience across investment banking, advisory, corporate finance, and operations. Her background supporting lower-middle market companies crosses a diverse range of sectors including technology, building products, industrial & field services, manufacturing, business services, and healthcare.
Prior to Aquila, Ashley was the Finance Director at ArtiFlex Manufacturing, a privately held tier-one automotive supplier, where she led the company’s acquisition activity, developed and managed business analytics, and managed the company’s banking relationship and compliance. Prior to ArtiFlex Manufacturing, she held a variety of roles in investment banking and corporate development with Cascade Partners, Charter Capital Partners, DTE Energy and Great Expressions Dental Centers. Ashley is an active member of ACG Detroit and ACG Western Michigan. Ashley earned both her Masters of Business Administration and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting, with Honors, from Grand Valley State University’s Seidman College of Business.
Outside of work, Ashley spends her time with her husband, entertaining her two boys who enjoy biking, walks, boating, and snowboarding. She also enjoys reading and traveling with her family.
BOBBY WEILAND, senior ASSOCIATE
Bobby Weiland is a Senior Associate with Aquila Equity Partners. In this role, Bobby helps drive the acquisition due diligence and transaction execution processes. In addition, Bobby works with our operating company leadership on their growth and value-creation strategies and supports their financial planning and analysis teams.
Prior to joining Aquila, Bobby began his career as a Strategy Analyst at La-Z-Boy, Inc. where he worked on corporate acquisitions and supported the company through growth and strategic initiatives. Bobby was previously a consultant at Plante Moran on their Transaction Advisory Team where he worked on quality of earnings and financial due diligence for both buy-side and sell-side private equity clients.
Bobby is an alumnus of the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s in Economics and Political Science in 2020. During his time at Michigan, he served on the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Student Advisory Board and the Economics department’s Student Leadership Team.
Outside of the office, Bobby enjoys traveling, scuba diving, playing softball and basketball, and returning to Ann Arbor to watch Michigan football.
Christiana Sanker, operations & transaction coordinator
Christiana Sanker is an Operations & Transaction Coordinator with Aquila Equity Partners. In her role, Christiana assists with the due diligence and transaction execution processes, as well as helps to ensure a smooth transition and successful onboarding for new acquisitions and partnerships. Additionally, Christiana collaborates with the Aquila leadership team on the growth and development of operations for both Aquila and our portfolio operating companies.
Christiana began her career as an Operations Coordinator with Pixoul, LLC. In her role with Pixoul, Christiana assisted the founder of the Company in the establishment and improvement of operations. In addition to general business operations, Christiana's responsibilities shifted often, leading her to gain experience in project management, inbound/outbound sales, staffing and recruiting, and minor design work.
Christiana attended Grand Valley State University, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Integrative Studies in 2021 with focal points in Entrepreneurship, Business, and Creativity.
Outside of her time with Aquila, Christiana enjoys completing home projects with her husband, traveling, exploring nature trails, cooking/baking, and spending time with family and friends.
LAITH YALDOO, STRATEGIC PARTNER
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Laith Yaldoo is a highly successful entrepreneur who has spent the last 25 years serving as a trusted advisor, investor and executive. Today, he focuses his efforts on investing in and growing potentially disruptive businesses. He has led several ventures, including their formations, management, funding, operations, identifying and contracting with strategic partners and dispositions in various industries, including electronic payments, telecommunication, retail, biotech, healthcare and back-office management. Examples of his investments include: ZIVO Bioscience, Inc. (OTCMKTS: ZIVO), a biotechnology and agriscience company; a leading wireless retail dealer; Pure Spirits Brands, a specialty spirits company; and John Paul Home Care, a home healthcare business.
Laith began his career as a practicing attorney from 1993 to 2002. He was a partner at Jaffe, Raitt, Heuer & Weiss, P.C., one of Michigan’s largest and premier law firms. Mr. Yaldoo practiced corporate, transaction, banking and real estate law and represented a wide variety of national and local entrepreneurs, closely-held businesses, lending institutions, tenants and landlords.
After Jaffe, Laith founded a credit card processing Independent Sales Organization (“ISO”), National Processing Services LLC (“NPS”). After merging NPS with CardConnect, Laith helped lead sales and drive significant revenue and EBITDA growth resulting in an IPO on NASDAQ in 2016 and an eventual acquisition by First Data. CardConnect now is operating the ISO business of First Data and continues to grow its technology platform. Laith remains National Director of ISO Sales for CardConnect.
Mr. Yaldoo graduated from Wayne State University Law School, Detroit, Michigan in 1993, J.D., cum laude. He earned his Bachelor in Business Administration in 1990 (in Professional Accounting) from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Michigan: where he graduated with Honorable Distinction.
TIMOTHY E. MOFFIT, STRATEGIC PARTNER
Dr. Timothy E. Moffit is a serial entrepreneur who has started or acquired 12 businesses in the past 25 years. Over the course of his career, he has been involved in an array of industries including healthcare, consumer / retail, food & beverage, niche manufacturing and business and consumer services. Tim has deep experience in mergers and acquisitions and business valuation, as well as all facets of operations and growth, including general management, strategy, process optimization, supply chain management, sales & marketing, and accounting & financial management.
Tim’s current portfolio of holdings includes Kalamazoo Kettle Corn, a specialty snack business, and Sleep Care Supplies and Equipment, a sleep therapy and healthcare DME company. Tim has served as a member of the board of directors of several companies, including Delta Dental since 2007. Earlier in his career, Tim worked in investment banking primarily focused on family and entrepreneurial-owned companies. He also worked for a multi-national, diversified food & beverage manufacturer in internal corporate finance and acquisition roles.
In addition to his entrepreneurial and corporate endeavors, Tim is an Associate Professor of Economics and Business at Kalamazoo College, where he has been part of the faculty for more than 30 years. Tim has written and published numerous articles and books on business valuation.
Tim graduated with honors from Kalamazoo College with a B.A. in economics. He also holds an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College and a DBA in Finance from Nova Southeastern University. In his personal life, Tim has two children, Drew and Katie, and a very patient wife, Kim. He is a big hockey fan and a passionate whitetail hunter and outdoorsman.
MICHAEL JANISZEWSKI, STRATEGIC PARTNER
Michael Janiszewski is an executive leader with global industry, consulting, and investor experience building businesses through fundamental transformation of strategies, organizations, and platforms. His expertise is in working with mission-driven firms to produce profitable growth from vision to delivery, while preserving and building on the strengths of a firm's unique culture. Mike's 20 plus year track record spans success in competitive strategy, business transformation, M&A, operational excellence, digital innovation, new venture creation, and high-performance team development. He has global multidisciplinary leadership experience in financial services, technology, hospitality, travel, healthcare, and the public sector.
Mike began his career as a founder of a company which operated in the nascent technology infrastructure and security industry. He later transitioned to join one of the pioneer management consulting firms focused on solving problems at the intersection of strategy and technology. During this time, Mike led business, operations, and technology strategy development for clients spanning rapidly growing startups to mature industry leaders. Through an acquisition, Mike later joined PricewaterhouseCoopers to co-lead the business strategy practice focused on the broader financial services & investment industries. He most recently led global operations and was the Chief Digital Officer for a global, top 20 asset management firm where his organization received multiple industry awards for technology and operations innovation. Mike has also worked as a private equity investor focused on middle-market businesses within advertising, insurance, consumer / retail, food & beverage and software industries.
Mike graduated from Princeton University with a B.A. in Electrical Engineering and a certificate in Applications of Computing. He also holds an M.B.A from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in Finance, Accounting, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship with Honors.