Our Team

Investment Team

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Thomas F. Campion

Managing Director

JOINED MERIT

1997

EDUCATION

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PHONE

312.592.6110

Experience

Thomas F. Campion, CFA, Managing Director, joined Merit in 1997. From 1993 to 1997, Tom was a Director of Prudential Asset Management Asia in Hong Kong, a general partner of private equity funds, including equity investments in private companies throughout the Asia Pacific region. From 1987 through 1992, Tom was a Vice President of Prudential Capital Corporation in Newark and Chicago, responsible for originating and managing private placements. While at Prudential Capital, he also earned his Chartered Financial Analyst designation. From 1983 to 1986, Tom worked at the former Arthur Andersen in Milwaukee, where he received his Certified Public Accountant designation

Tom received his M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where he graduated with honors and his B.B.A. in Accountancy from St. Norbert College, where he graduated magna cum laude.

Tom currently serves on the Board of Directors of U.S. Minerals, Kinex R&M Holdco, LLC, ASM Holdco, Inc., Glunt Industries Inc., MicroPrecision, Omni Glass & Paint, Voeller, and Kemper Equipment.

Tom’s community activities have included coaching his four children, and serving on the St. Norbert College Advisory Board, the Highlands Foundation, the Apostolate to the Handicapped Board, and Best Buddies.

Other

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CURRENT PORTFOLIO

Carl’s Place Circuit Check AFX, Inc Kemper Equipment

SELECT PRIOR PORTFOLIO

PFI InStore American Producers Supply Displayit Acacia Health, LLC
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John J. Darguzas

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6137

John J. Darguzas, Managing Director, joined Merit in 2018.  From 2011 to 2018, John was a Vice President at Antares Capital Sponsor Finance Group in Chicago.  At Antares John worked on the Underwriting Team evaluating senior debt investment opportunities across a broad range of industries, on the Originations Team reviewing new investment opportunities and on the Credit Advisory Team working on troubled loans all while maintaining an active role in helping establish Antares as a standalone company after it was spun out of GE Capital.  While attending Kellogg part time from 2012 to 2014, John founded MyMenu, an app based platform that helps people with food allergies find restaurants that meet their dining requirements.  From 2005 to 2011, John was a Director in KPMG’s Transaction Service Group, overseeing financial buy-side due diligence of middle market acquisitions for private equity clients.

John Received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2012 with concentrations in Marketing and Entrepreneurship.  In 2005, he received a B.S. from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business with concentrations in Accounting and Finance.  John is a registered CPA.

 John currently serves on the Board of Directors of Glenn Rieder, MicroPrecision, LLC, Revision Military, LTD, Urban Surfaces, PFI Instore and U.S. Minerals, Inc. Previously, he served on the board of Manitowoc Tool and Machining (“MTM”) and Engendren Corporation.

He lives in Elmhurst with his wife and three sons.

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Bill Floyd

Principal

PHONE

312-592-6146

Bill H. Floyd, Principal, joined Merit in 2023. Prior to Merit, Bill was a Managing Director for DalFort Capital Partners, an industrials focused private equity firm based in Dallas, Texas. At DalFort, Bill managed investments in the specialty chemical, building products, and general industrial verticals. Prior to DalFort, Bill was a Senior Director at ORIX Private Equity Solutions, the U.S. lower middle-market private equity division of ORIX Corporation. At ORIX, Bill invested across a variety of industries with an emphasis in partnering with independent sponsors.

Bill received an M.B.A. from The McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. He earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Baylor University.

Bill currently serves on the Board of Directors of Nester Hosiery, Reliant at Home Inc., Elgen Manufacturing Company, and Circuit Check.

A native Texan, Bill resides in Dallas with his wife, son, and daughter.  Outside of work, Bill is involved in his church, teaching Sunday school for Kindergarteners and leading a community group.

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Evan R. Gallinson

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6114

Evan R. Gallinson, Managing Director, joined Merit in 2005. Evan previously worked in Investment Banking with BMO Capital, William Blair & Company, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions advisor work for middle market companies in a variety of industries.

Evan received an M.B.A. from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2002 with a concentration in finance. In 1997, he received a B.B.A. from the University of Michigan with a concentration in finance and accounting.

Evan currently serves on the Board of Directors of CyCan Industries, Elgen Manufacturing Company, Glunt Industries, Urban Surfaces, and AFX Lighting, Inc. Previously he was on the board of Choice Adhesives, RSA Engineered Products and Storage Solutions.

He is a native of New Jersey, but has lived in the Chicago area for over twenty-five years, and is currently residing in Northbrook, IL with his wife and two daughters. Evan’s non-work activities involve watching his daughters’ lacrosse and tennis matches as well as playing platform tennis and uninspiring golf.

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Brian R. Heck

Vice President

PHONE

312.592.6138

Brian R. Heck, Vice President, joined Merit in 2019. Brian was previously an Analyst in the Industrials Investment Banking Group at Robert W. Baird, where he supported mergers and acquisitions, equity offerings, and debt advisory services. Prior to joining Baird, Brian was an Analyst at TKO Miller, focusing on middle market mergers and acquisitions.

Brian currently serves on the Board of Directors of CyCan Industries, and supports Merit’s investments in American Producers Supply, Propet Footwear, and John-Richard.

Brian received his B.A. in Economics from DePauw University, where he played NCAA Division III golf. A native of the Chicago area, Brian currently resides in Lake View.

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Alec C. Hutcherson

Vice President

PHONE

312-592-6145

Alec C. Hutcherson, Vice President, joined Merit in 2024. Alec was previously an Associate with CIC Partners in Dallas, focusing on identifying, evaluating, and executing lower middle-market private equity investments. Prior to joining CIC Partners, Alec was an Investment Banking Analyst within Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s Natural Resources Group in Houston, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions.

Alec received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Accounting and Entrepreneurship. He earned his B.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from The University of Texas at Austin.

Alec currently serves on the Board of Directors of Carl’s Place, AFX Lighting, ASM Holdco, and Gartner Studios.

A native of the Chicago suburbs, Alec currently resides in the city of Chicago.

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David M. Jones

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6120

David M. Jones, Managing Director, joined Merit in 1993 in conjunction with the closing and initial investing of Fund I. David was previously a senior consultant with Peterson Consulting, a national business valuation and litigation consulting firm, and specialized in business and product line valuations in intellectual property disputes.

David earned an M.B.A. with honors from the University of Chicago and a B.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame in 1988.

A Managing Director of Merit Capital Partners since 2000, David currently serves on the Board of Directors of Medway Air Ambulance, Inc. 

David and Jenny have four adult children and focus their primary charitable efforts on childhood education and cancer research. David was active with the Employee Stock Ownership Association, having served as a member of the Finance Committee from 2001 until 2016. David’s community activities included serving on several St. Mary Parish committees, coaching youth basketball and softball, and serving as Board Member of Camp Kesem, the largest national organization dedicated to supporting children impacted by a parent’s cancer, at no cost to families. David is also a past board member of the Wellness House, a community-based organization devoted to helping cancer patients and families.

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Timothy J. MacKenzie

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6130

Timothy J. MacKenzie, CFA, Managing Director, joined Merit in 1993. Tim was previously a Senior Vice President of Fiduciary Capital, a publicly raised mezzanine fund. Prior to that, he worked at Prudential Capital Corporation in both the Dallas and Milwaukee regional offices. From 1982 to 1986, Tim was a Vice President with RepublicBank Dallas.

Tim received his M.B.A. from the University of Illinois with a concentration in finance and a B.A. from Northwestern University in 1980 with a major in economics. He earned the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst in 1990.

Tim and his wife reside in Hinsdale, Illinois and have three adult children. His community activities include serving as President of Hinsdale Golf Club, Chairman of the Christ Church of Oak Brook Trustee Board, President of Chicago Men’s Fellowship,  and President of the local Young Life Foundation Board.

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Jack McKerr

Associate

PHONE

312-592-6125

Jack McKerr, Associate, joined Merit in 2024. Prior to joining Merit, Jack was previously an Investment Banking Analyst at Balmoral Advisors, where he focused on middle market mergers and acquisitions.

Jack received his B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois’ Gies College of Business. A native of the Chicago suburbs, Jack currently resides in Chicago.

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Daniel E. Pansing

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6160

Daniel E. Pansing, Managing Director, joined Merit in 1999. He began his career at the First National Bank of Omaha where he was a Management Trainee, gaining exposure to all aspects of the bank’s operations. He later joined the bank’s Commercial Lending Department. In 1995, Dan moved to Chicago to join LaSalle Bank’s (now Bank of America) credit training program. As a Commercial Loan Officer at LaSalle, Dan focused on leveraged and asset based transactions with middle market companies.

Dan received his M.B.A., with honors, in 1999 from the Anderson School at U.C.L.A. As a Venture Fellow, his studies focused on finance and entrepreneurial studies. In 1993, Dan earned a B.S. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Dan currently serves on the Board of Directors of Nester Hosiery, Circuit Check, American Producer Supply Co., and Propet Footwear.

Dan lives with his wife and two daughters in Western Springs.  He enjoys staying active in his community, coaching teams and serving on area charitable boards.  Recently, he was elected to the board of his local school district.  Outside the office, Dan enjoys golf, fly fishing and paddle tennis.

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Joseph A. Polaneczky

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6121

Joe Polaneczky, Managing Director, joined Merit in 2013. Joe previously worked in Leveraged Finance with GE Antares Capital’s Sponsor Finance Group in Chicago, where he focused on private equity sponsored transactions across a broad range of industries. Prior to joining GE Antares in 2008 with its acquisition of Merrill Lynch Capital, Joe worked in the Corporate Finance Group at Merrill Lynch Capital focusing on middle market, private equity lending.  Joe began his career in investment banking at Cochran Caronia Waller providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services for companies primarily in the financial services and health care industries.

Joe received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business with concentrations in Finance, Economics and Entrepreneurship. He earned his B.A. in Economics from the University of Chicago where he graduated with honors and played NCAA Division III football. Joe currently serves on the Board of Directors of Propet Footwear, John-Richard Collection, MW Metals Group, Omni Glass & Paint, American Producers Supply, PFI Instore and Carl’s Place.

A native of Ohio, Joe has lived in the Chicago area for over 20 years, and currently resides in Hinsdale, IL with his wife and three children. Joe’s non-work activities include coaching his children’s sporting activities and guest lecturing at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Photo of Terrance M. Shipp

Terrance M. Shipp

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6140

Terrance M. Shipp, Managing Director,  is a founding partner of Merit. Prior to forming the general partner of Fund I in 1991, Terry was a Partner in LaSalle Capital Group, a Chicago-based management buyout firm. Between 1982 and 1990, Terry worked at Prudential Capital Corporation, most recently as Regional Vice President in charge of the firm’s Chicago and Cleveland offices, which specialized in middle-market mezzanine investments. Terry was responsible for a staff of approximately 12 investment professionals and a portfolio over $1 billion. During his eight years with Prudential Capital, he was actively involved in a significant number of the mezzanine investments generated by the Chicago office. His responsibilities included origination, structuring, due diligence, negotiation, monitoring and disposition activities.

Terry received his M.B.A., with distinction, from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Colorado.

Terry currently serves on the Board of Directors of Alliance Family of Companies, Identity Group Holdings, John-Richard Collection, Inc. and MW Metals Group.

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Sean H. Stanley

Principal

PHONE

3125926162

Sean H. Stanley, Principal, joined Merit in 2020. Sean was previously an Associate with Flexpoint Ford in Chicago, focusing on identifying, evaluating and executing private equity investments in the healthcare sector. Prior to joining Flexpoint Ford, Sean was an Investment Banking Analyst within J.P. Morgan’s Industrials Group in Chicago, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions.

Sean received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with concentrations in Accounting and Entrepreneurship. He earned his B.S.B.A. in Finance and Accounting from Washington University in St. Louis, where he played NCAA Division III basketball.

Sean currently serves on the Board of Directors of Kinex R&M, Voeller, Good Giant, Acacia Health and Kemper Equipment.

A native of the Chicago suburbs, Sean currently resides in the city of Chicago.

Photo of Marc J. Walfish

Marc J. Walfish

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6150

Marc J. Walfish, Managing Director, is a founding partner of Merit Capital Partners. Prior to founding Merit, Marc worked for thirteen years at The Prudential Insurance Company of America, most recently as Senior Vice President of Prudential Capital Corporation. In this capacity, Marc was based in Chicago and responsible for the firm’s four Midwest offices and a portfolio of over $2 billion.

Marc earned his M.B.A. and B.S.B.A., cum laude, from Boston University.

Marc currently serves on the Board of Directors of AAR Corp. and Gartner, LLC.

Marc’s community service activities include coaching youth soccer and serving on the Board of the local AYSO. Marc has also served on the Board of his local community and is a past President. Marc has guest lectured at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business.

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Benjamin W. Yarbrough

Managing Director

PHONE

312.592.6124

Benjamin W. Yarbrough, Managing Director, joined Merit in 2008. Ben was previously a Consultant at Marakon Associates, a boutique strategy consulting firm based in New York City and London serving global Fortune 200 clients. At Marakon, Ben worked across various industries, including healthcare, financial services and consumer products. Prior to Marakon, Ben was a Fellow at the United States Golf Association Foundation in Colorado Springs, helping to manage the USGA’s grants program.

Ben received an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business with concentrations in finance and entrepreneurship. He earned his B.A. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Ben currently serves on the Board of Directors of Identity Group Holdings, Alliance Family of Companies (d/b/a Stratus), Reliant at Home Inc., Glenn Rieder, Revision Military, LTD., Good Giant, Acacia Health and Displayit Inc.

Ben is actively involved with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and is a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. A native of Mississippi, Ben resides in Winnetka with his wife, two sons and daughter.

Finance and Operations Team

Photo of Anne E. Boland

Anne E. Boland

CFO & CCO

PHONE

312.592.6115

Anne E. Boland, Merit’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer, joined the firm in 2003. Prior to being appointed CFO and CCO, Anne was Merit’s Controller, where she was involved in nearly all aspects of its finance and administrative functions. Pre-Merit, she was a financial analyst in William Blair & Company’s Financial Control department. Prior to joining William Blair in 2000, she worked at Marsh, Inc. as a staff accountant in their regional Finance Center. Anne is a C.P.A. and received her B.B.A. in Accountancy from the University of Wisconsin.

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