Highlander Partners Announces the Formation of High Point Aerotechnologies LLC, Appoints Jim Gavrilis as President and CEO
Mr. Gavrilis Will Lead High Point’s Efforts in Establishing a Platform in the Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (“C-UAS”) Market
May 16, 2022 – Dallas, TX – Highlander Partners, a leading private investment firm with over $2 billion of assets under management, today announced the founding of High Point Aerotechnologies LLC (“High Point” or “High Point Aerotech”). High Point is a holding company formed to pursue the rapidly evolving C-UAS industry through the acquisition and development of established operating companies, emerging technologies, and industry experts. Jim Gavrilis has been recruited to lead High Point as President and CEO. He brings a diverse and distinguished background from military, business, and academia, with extensive expertise in electronic warfare and UAS technology.
Jim is a former U.S. Army officer with over 24 years of experience in command and staff. He has served overseas in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East in training, peacekeeping, and combat operations, including two tours in Iraq commanding and directing joint, interagency, and multinational counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations. Throughout his career, Jim served in the 25th Infantry Division, the 3rd and 5th Special Forces Groups, USASOC, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Army Staff’s Special Operations Division.
After retiring from the Army, Jim held senior level positions with several private sector defense contractors. He has served as Vice President for Special Operations Programs, Chief of Staff, and Director of Strategic Initiatives in a variety of Defense and Intelligence companies. He has also served as Senior Advisor to the Center for Naval Analyses, the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and USSOCOM. In academia, Jim has taught graduate courses at Georgetown University and George Washington University, and has taught at the State Department’s Foreign Service Institute.
Jim Gavrilis remarked: “I am extremely excited to take the helm at High Point and work alongside Highlander. We are committed to supporting the defense of our nation against this evolving threat and will remain mission focused on developing needed capabilities for the U.S. and our Allies. With the right team and targeted acquisitions, we have a significant opportunity to create a leadership position in the dynamic C-UAS market. We are in the process of recruiting subject matter experts to join the High Point team, and we intend to analyze both mature businesses and developing technologies for potential acquisition.”
“We have been highly focused on exploring the C-UAS arena,” commented Ben Slater, Partner at Highlander. “The industry is young, fragmented and has remarkable growth potential. Our objective is to build a substantial C-UAS platform, and the establishment of High Point demonstrates Highlander’s dedication to this effort. In this nascent industry built on emerging technology, deep and practical expertise is a requisite and Jim is the perfect leader for this undertaking.”
Larry Hirsch, Chairman of Highlander Partners, added, “Under Jim’s experienced leadership, we intend to deploy Highlander’s creative approach to company-building to become a significant factor in the emerging C-UAS industry, which is of critical importance to our national security.”
About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a buy and build investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.