SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS, February 2, 2012 – Insight Equity Holdings LLC (“Insight Equity”), the Dallas, Texas-area headquartered private equity firm is pleased to announce effective immediately the internal promotions of three of its team members and the addition of one new team member. Eliot Kerlin has been promoted to Partner, Warren Bonham has joined the team as a Partner, Jack Waterstreet has been promoted to Senior Vice President, and Kevin Slaton has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer.
Since joining Insight Equity in 2005, Eliot Kerlin has been a key contributor to the firm’s efforts to invest substantial capital and improve existing portfolio company operations. Eliot manages the firm’s investments in Atwood Mobile Products, a leading supplier of gas appliances, doors, electronics, hardware and motorized vents to the Recreational Vehicle (RV) industry, and A.P. Plasman, a world class designer and manufacturer of plastic injection molded and painted auto parts for complete assembly operations of Class “A” exterior trim products, and manufactured sub-systems to a variety of OEM and Tier 1 customers. Eliot’s responsibilities will continue to focus on the sourcing, execution and structuring of new investments as well as portfolio company operational work.
Warren Bonham joins the team as a Partner from Direct Fuels, an Insight Equity portfolio company where he is currently the Chief Executive Officer. Direct Fuels is a leading specialty refiner and fuel distribution business located in Euless, Texas. Warren will continue in that role as well as lead the operational efforts at Insight Equity to enhance portfolio company performance. Warren’s responsibilities will include working closely with portfolio company management teams and Insight Equity personnel to reduce costs, accelerate revenue growth and develop value maximizing long-term strategies across the portfolio. Victor Vescovo, his predecessor in the position, continues as Insight Equity’s Chief Operating Officer and is now the lead partner of deal sourcing and structuring initiatives. However, Victor will continue to be deeply involved in the operational details of several portfolio firms.
Prior to joining Direct Fuels, Warren served as the Chief Financial Officer for Electrolux LLC, a private equity owned direct seller of floor care equipment and GES Exposition Services, the largest subsidiary of Viad Corporation, a publicly traded exhibition and event services company. Prior to his CFO roles, Warren worked as a Senior Manager at Bain & Company. While at Bain, Warren worked on operational improvement cases in a variety of industries on three different continents. Warren was valedictorian of his class at Queen’s University where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree. He also received a MBA from Harvard Business School.
Jack Waterstreet joined Insight Equity in 2009 and has been a valuable member of the firm contributing to deal execution and operations at the portfolio company level. Jack manages the firm’s investment in Versatile Processing Group, Inc. (VPG), a leading industrial processor of non-ferrous and other metals servicing the manufacturing, electric utility, and metal recycling industries. Based at Insight Equity's recently-established New York City office, Jack’s responsibilities will continue to focus on the execution of new investments as well as portfolio company operational work.
Since joining Insight Equity in 2007, Kevin Slaton has been a key member of the team contributing to the financial management and administration of the firm and its funds. Kevin’s responsibilities will continue to focus on serving as a resource for portfolio company CFO’s with respect to finance, accounting and tax matters as well as running Insight Equity’s internal financial matters. He will also serve as Insight Equity’s Chief Compliance Officer.
“We are delighted to make these promotions and continue to grow our team,” commented Ted Beneski, CEO & Managing Partner of Insight Equity. “Eliot, Jack and Kevin have contributed significantly to the success and growth of the firm and each are highly deserving of their promotion. We are also very pleased that Warren has elected to join Insight Equity and believe his extensive background and skill set will be a valuable asset to our team as we continue our focus on operational improvement efforts across our portfolio.”