Our Team
Our firm is comprised of a core team of highly trained and talented individuals – financing specialists, analysts and client service professionals alike. Everyone at the firm possesses a common thread; a true dedication and passion for helping the client as if they were our only client.
Senior Management
PHILIP L. RINALDI, Chairman & Principal
Philip Rinaldi most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Coffeyville Resources. Less than 16 months from Coffeyville’s creation, now a highly profitable, $1.8 billion per year business, was sold at a profit measured in the many hundreds of millions - to Goldman Sachs and another private equity fund. Mr. Rinaldi has worked extensively in both the oil and fertilizer industries, as a manager, director and principal investor. He held positions at several prominent petroleum companies, such as Exxon, Phibro, and Tosco, served as a principal investor in Argus Energy, and also held management positions in fertilizer companies that included Conserv, Seminole and Mulberry Corporation. From June 1993 through August 2001, Mr. Rinaldi was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Mulberry Corporation, a phosphate production company. Phil earned a BS in Chemical Engineering in 1968 from Newark College of Engineering at NJIT and an MSChE in 1976.
EROL Y. BEKER, Co-Founder & Principal
Erol Beker's impressive educational background propelled him to becoming, at that time, the youngest CEO of a public company (Beker Industries) to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Beker headed Cedar Holdings, a firm that specialized in commodities trading and leverage buyouts in the chemical business. Eventually, the firm purchased Royster Company, an agribusiness pioneering company that today is known as Royster-Clark. Over the years, he has performed workouts for large banks, been a private investor as well as consulting work. Mr. Beker holds a BA and MBA degrees from Babson College and Columbia University respectively.
MICHAEL C. CASSADY, Co-Founder & Principal
Michael Cassady, a serial entrepreneur, is a proven leader with multiple successes in launching and building profitable businesses. Originally from Texas, Mr. Cassady was a co-founder of Beach Rock Inc, and a Director of Operations with LoneStar Hospitality. Later in his career, until 2006, he spent 12 years as CEO/President of Global Affiliates Inc. (d.b.a. GlobalFit), building it into Americas largest employee health benefits business. Under his guidance, GlobalFit became a dynamic organization operating in 49 US major markets with a very impressive client base of more than 2,000 of the nation's top employers, insurance carriers and organizations representing more than 60 million employees and members. Mr. Cassady was then the managing partner at DAC Partners, LLC, an equity fund focused on initial stage and start up businesses.
BARRY JARRETT, Sr. Associate
In addition to being a Sr. Associate at Phoenix Capital, Barry is a managing partner at Preferred Buyers Association, Inc. which purchases fertilizer for retail members located in the Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. PBA has major fertilizer contracts with producers including Potash Corp, Mosaic, Agrium, Koch Nitrogen and importers like Transammonia, Interoceanic, and Ben Trei. Mr. Jarrett joined Helena Chemical in Memphis, TN in 1989 as director of fertilizer operations, then spent 2 years as Vice President of Koos, Inc. Mr. Jarrett then become the Director of US Sales for PotashCorp of Saskatchewan, Canada the largest potash producer in the world. Barry served on the board of directors of the National Fertilizer Solution Association and was elected president in 1984. He also served on The Fertilizer Institute board of directors for 11 years.
JEFF JARRETT, Sr. Associate
In addition to Phoenix Capital, Jeff Jarrett is a Senior Partner of The Fertilizer Group, LLC. Mr. Jarrett serves as Vice-President of Preferred Buyers Association, Inc. (PBA) a fertilizer buying group for retail members located in Indiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky. PBA has long standing relationships with major fertilizer companies including Potash Corp, Mosaic, Agrium, Koch Nitrogen, Transammonia, Interoceanic, Terra and Yara. PBA is active in all aspects of direct purchasing and selling of fertilizer products. In addition to the river barge market they also participate in the rail and truck/terminal markets. Prior to joining Preferred Buyers Association, Inc., Mr. Jarrett spent 14 years as a Market Manager for Monsanto Company where he was responsible for the sales, marketing and promotions of Monsanto branded crop protection chemicals and trait specific biotech products. Mr. Jarrett attended Purdue University and received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agricultural Economics.
Strategic Relationships and Partnerships
Katten, Muchin and Rosenman, LLP
Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 600 attorneys in locations across the United States and an affiliate in London. We strive to be a firm of first choice for clients seeking sophisticated, high-value legal services nationally and globally. While Katten offers an extensive range of legal services across numerous industries, our core areas of practice are corporate, financial services, litigation, real estate, commercial finance, intellectual property and trusts and estates..
Lincolnshire Management
Lincolnshire Management Inc. is a leading private equity firm focused on generating superior returns for investors by acquiring and growing middle market companies across a wide range of industries. Founded in 1986, Lincolnshire currently has approximately $1.7 billion in capital under management for private equity investments, including the $835 million Lincolnshire Equity Fund IV.
JP Morgan Chase & Co
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.1 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management, and private equity.