José Blanco is a Managing Partner at CVF Capital Partners and  co-founded the firm in 2005. He leads CVF's efforts regarding reviewing and partnering with Hispanic entrepreneurs and evaluating cross-border investment opportunities benefiting from USMCA (formerly NAFTA).

 

Mr. Blanco served as a Regional Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at AIG Investment Corporation (AIG), where he supervised direct investments in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, distribution, business services, and financial services. Following his tenure at AIG, he served as the CFO for a NASDAQ listed company. This experience allows Mr. Blanco to combine his tenure as an investment officer with his operating experience as a CFO to assist companies in executing their business plans and building value for all stakeholders.

 

At CVF Capital Partners, Mr. Blanco has led investments in healthcare, manufacturing, recycling, aviation, logistics, business services and telecom throughout the Western U.S. He currently sits on the boards of ComAv, BC2, Vege Labs, and Cool Mountain Transport where he has teamed up with owners and founders to build value for all stakeholders.

 

Mr. Blanco earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Utah State University, an M.S. from the University of Utah, an M.B.A. from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. from Saint Michael’s College.

Edward McNulty is a Managing Partner at CVF Capital Partners and brings over 35 years of experience in corporate finance, investment, turnaround, and general advisory experience to the firm. Before joining the firm in 2006, Mr. McNulty held various senior positions in merchant and investment banking at the Chase Manhattan Bank (now JP Morgan). At Chase, he oversaw multi-billion dollar leveraged credit portfolios and had oversight responsibility for the structuring and valuation of new leveraged finance transactions. He has acted as lead banker on over $23 billion worth of deals involving acquisition finance, recapitalizations, and restructurings. As a banker and investor, he has focused on middle-market companies, providing debt and equity financing, as well as actively working with management teams to grow their businesses.

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At CVF Capital Partners, he has led investments in manufacturing, professional services, and IT.  He currently sits on the boards of Gary Platt, ComAv, Initiative Foods, and Utility Telecom. He previously sat on the boards of LightRiver Technologies, Molded Devices, and IoSafe.

 

Mr. McNulty earned a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University.

Chris Carleson joined CVF Capital Partners in 2012 and is responsible for originating, structuring, closing, and monitoring portfolio investments.  Prior to joining CVF Capital Partners, Chris was with ING Group in their Variable Annuities division.  In his role, Chris worked with external wholesalers to expand the Company's footprint in the Midwest and manage individual investment accounts in tandem with independent financial brokers.

 

At CVF Capital Partners, Chris has led or participated in investments in healthcare, manufacturing, recycling, landscape management, logistics, business services, gaming, and hospitality throughout the Western U.S. He currently sits on the boards of Precision Machine & Manufacturing, Utility Telecom, Gary Platt Manufacturing, Recreation Resource Management, Initiative Foods, and Vege Labs where he has partnered with owners and other sponsors to generate growth and realize significant value for shareholders and employees.  He has also been an observer on the boards of Molded Devices, Valley Healthcare Staffing, and Source Logistics.

 

Chris earned an M.B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. from the University of California, Irvine.  He also holds Series 6 and Series 63 FINRA licenses (inactive).

Brian Hoblit joined CVF Capital Partners in 2019 and brings strong expertise in operations, management, and capital structuring for small to mid-sized businesses. His finance and operations experience spans over twenty years in a variety of industries including commercial lending, business services, transportation, emerging technologies, and turnaround practices.

 

At CVF Capital Partners, Brian has participated in investments in transportation, logistics, clean technology, manufacturing, and food production. Brian currently sits on the board of Cool Mountain Transport and Initiative Foods. Prior to CVF while spending a decade in commercial lending, Brian spent helped middle-market companies, including private equity firms and their portfolio clients, grow via debt financing and other strategic initiatives, to facilitate their success. As the CFO of multiple middle-market firms, he served on the executive team, built operating budgets, executed business plans, and raised capital.

 

Brian received an M.B.A. graduating with honors as a member of Beta Gamma Sigma from UC Davis with a focus in finance and entrepreneurship; he was awarded the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Service Award in 2015. Mr. Hoblit also received a B.S. with a dual major in civil engineering and economics and M.S. in environmental engineering, both from Rice University.

Felipe Acosta joined CVF Capital Partners in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, he gained experience at  Goldman Sachs (GS). At Goldman Sachs, he worked in the AIMS division focusing on the liquidity management and client allocation to Primaries, Secondaries, and GP stakes deals.

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At CVF Capital Partners, Felipe supports the origination and execution efforts as well as the portfolio management. He currently sits on the boards of Vege Labs, BC2 Environmental, Cool Mountain Transport, and Initiative Foods.

 

Mr. Acosta graduated summa cum laude from Utah State University with a dual degree in International Business & Finance and a Master in Financial Economics. He recently passed CFA Level I in September 2022.

Anthony Bretting joined CVF Capital Partners in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in KPMG, LLP's audit practice for five years. During his time in public accounting, he led engagement teams performing a range of assurance services, including financial statement and internal control audits, federal compliance audits, and agreed-upon procedures. He gained experience spanning a diversified client portfolio with a primary focus on mid-market private companies in the consumer goods and services, agriculture, manufacturing, utilities, and higher education industries.

 

Mr. Bretting graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Sacramento, with multiple honors and received a B.S. in Business Administration, Accountancy Concentration. He earned his California CPA license in 2014 and achieved attestation certification thereafter.