FULL GUARD CAPITAL - Key Persons
Jackson Bennett is a Associate on the Full Guard Capital team and is responsible for conducting due diligence, company and industry analysis, and assisting with transaction execution and portfolio company support. Prior to joining Full Guard Capital, Jackson was an intern with Newspring Capital. Jackson holds a BS in Finance and Operations & Supply Chain from the University of South Carolina.
Jesse Smit is an Analyst on the Full Guard Capital team and is responsible for conducting due diligence, company and industry analysis, and assisting with transaction execution and portfolio company support. Prior to joining Full Guard Capital, Jesse was a Strategic Analyst Intern at Eden Resort & Suites. Jesse holds a BA in Business with a focus on Financial Analysis and Consumer Psychology from Franklin & Marshall College.
Josh Welk founded Full Guard Capital and is responsible for developing investment theses, sourcing and evaluating opportunities, and managing the firm's investment portfolio through strategic and executive support. Prior to founding Full Guard Capital, Josh spent several years as a C-level executive of a rapidly growing telecom and technology services company. Prior to his operating role, Josh spent over a decade in private equity and mergers and acquisitions of privately held and family owned businesses, primarily with Argosy Private Equity. During his career, Josh has been involved in and completed over 25 transactions. Josh holds a BA from Franklin & Marshall College and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
Julianna Clark is an Associate on the Full Guard Capital team and is responsible for conducting due diligence, company and industry analysis, and assisting with transaction execution and portfolio company support. Prior to joining Full Guard Capital, Julianna was an Analyst on KeyBanc Capital Markets' M&A Investment Banking team.
Additionally, Julianna has held several internships in investment banking and corporate development. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in Mathematical Economics from Haverford College.
Kait Kurtz is a Business Manager on the Full Guard Capital team and is responsible for assisting in internal operations, human resources, and business support. Prior to joining Full Guard Capital, Kait was consulting with Astaria Technology, specializing in business development, operational efficiency, and financial growth. Kait holds a BS in Business Management from Colorado State University.
Kait Kurtz is a Business Manager on the Full Guard Capital team and is responsible for assisting in internal operations, human resources, and business support. Learn more about Kait's role with Full Guard.
Rich Barakat is a Principal on the Full Guard Capital team and is responsible for sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities, developing investment theses, conducting due diligence, and leading transaction execution. Prior to joining Full Guard Capital, Rich was an Associate Director with UBS's Financial Sponsors Group focused on originating and structuring transactions for family-owned and operated companies seeking long-term capital. Prior to UBS, Rich spent several years with Goldman Sachs in their Multi-Asset Group supporting investment activities of family offices and hedge funds. Rich holds a BA in Economics from Cornell University.