Mark Blanchat Joins Highlander Partners as Director of Business Development
Dallas, TX – July 1, 2012 – Highlander Partners, L.P., an investment firm focused on making direct private equity investments in middle market companies, today announced that Mark Blanchat joined the firm as Director of Business Development.
Mark brings more than 25 years of strategic planning and business development experience to Highlander. He will focus on sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities within a variety of industries. He has extensive experience in acquiring add-on businesses and working with private equity backed companies. Mark will work closely with management teams to successfully execute their business plans and provide assistance with organic and add-on acquisition strategies.
Most recently, Mark was co-founder and a partner at BlackStripe Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm formed in 2009. He also was a partner with the JIAN Group, a middle market intermediary focused on the building products, construction and government contracting industries. Prior to that, Mark held senior positions for over 15 years with JELD-WEN, Inc., one of the world’s largest building products manufacturers and Atrium Companies, Inc., the largest aluminum and vinyl window manufacturer in North America. For both companies, he led the corporate development efforts as Vice President, Corporate Development for JELD-WEN and as Executive Vice President, Development and Strategy for Atrium. Mark also held various positions with GE Capital and First Southwest Company. Mark has been directly involved in over 100 transactions in various industries in 12 countries around the world. His experience base includes real estate, construction, risk management, IT operations, corporate development and strategic planning as well as buy-side and sell-side mergers and acquisition advisory.
About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with partners that have committed over $400 million of principal funds for direct private equity investments in North America. The firm focuses on making investments in middle market businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including healthcare, basic manufacturing, food, building materials and others. Highlander Partners uses a “buy and build” investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information about Highlander Partners, please visit www.highlander-partners.com.