PRESS RELEASES

Private Equity Firms Turn to Headhunters to Grow Portfolio Companies

RESTON, VA, September 23, 2015 — NorthWind Partners, a boutique search firm focused on tapping talent for the private equity sector, has recruited David E. Kopf as president of Anaren, Inc.’s Space & Defense Group. Anaren is a world leader in high-frequency technology deployed in space, defense, wireless infrastructure and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The company is owned by private equity firm Veritas Capital.

Brian Thomas, a managing director in NorthWind’s Northern Virginia office, led the assignment which was overseen by managing partner Mark HuYoung (who leads the firm’s private equity practice) and Patrick Gray, a partner and aerospace, defense and industrial sector practice leader. NorthWind concentrates on business & professional services, systems, solutions, and product companies spanning the aviation, aerospace and defense, healthcare, industrial, and technology sectors.

“David’s extensive business development and leadership experience with growing technology-based businesses in the space and defense markets will enhance the capabilities of our Space & Defense Group to expand our customer base, accelerate revenue growth and ultimately increase value for our shareholders,” said Larry Sala, president and CEO of Anaren. “We are very excited to have David join our team and look forward to his significant contribution to the continuing success of Anaren.”

Most recently, Mr. Kopf was vice president of engineering and operations at Astronics Aerosat. Prior to that, he held executive, business development and engineering management posts at Cobham Defense Electronics, Tyco Electronics M/A-Com, and Sanders (a Lockheed Martin Company) and BAE.

Last year, NorthWind Partners placed Conrad Gagnon as chief financial officer of Anaren. The firm has also worked with several other Veritas Capital portfolio companies. Mr. Thomas has completed hundreds of executive searches for clients that range from early stage startups to Fortune 50 organizations across aerospace & defense, intelligence, industrial manufacturing, healthcare and professional/business services.

“Our deep experience in recruiting executives in the private equity space is a mitigation of risk that gives clients, like Veritas/Anaren, assurance that they are working with an advisory firm that is well-attuned to the ever-urgent pace of the private equity market, understands the importance of alignment between investor and portfolio company, and has tremendous access to the type of leadership required for success across the lifecycle of an investment,” said Mr. HuYoung.

About NorthWind Partners

NorthWind Partners is a leading global retained search advisory. The firm is focused across business services, industrials, private equity, and technology with deep expertise in aviation, aerospace and defense, government services, and healthcare IT. Leveraging over a century of experience, we serve as trusted consultants evaluating, recruiting and coaching top tier executives. Our commitment is to build top leadership teams and boards for select clients around the world giving them the confidence to move forward with their plans.

Contact Us:
info@northwind-partners.com