Our Team

John J. O'Connor, CFA

• Managing Director
• Private Equity, Investment Committee

Education

• MM, Finance and Accounting, Northwestern University
• BA, Summa Cum Laude, Economics, Lawrence University

Industry Experience (since 1979)

• Western-Southern Life
• Federated Dept. Stores
• Mellon Bank

Biography

• John J. O'Connor, CFA, Managing Director has been investing in private equity since 1988 for Fort Washington, FW Capital and W&SFG.  Over this time, he has developed deep relationships with many of the leading private equity firms in the business.  In addition, Mr. O'Connor developed FW Capital's differentiated approach to private equity investing and is largely responsible for generating the successful historical performance of the investment program.  Mr. O'Connor earned a BA, Summa Cum Laude, in Economics from Lawrence University and an MM in Finance and Accounting from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University. 

Stephen A. Baker

• Managing Director
• Private Equity, Investment Committee

Education

• MBA, Finance, New York University
• BA, cum laude, History, University of Cincinnati

Industry Experience (since 1991)

• Seaport Capital Partners
• Providence Journal Company
• A&E Network

Biography

• Stephen A. Baker, Managing Director has more than 16 years of private equity investment experience, including direct, primary and secondary fund investments.  Mr. Baker joined FW Capital in 2000 and developed FW Capital's customized programs which include direct co-investments and regional funds of funds.  Mr. Baker serves on the board of directors of several portfolio companies and on the advisory boards of several portfolio funds.  Prior to joining FW Capital, Mr. Baker held leadership positions at Seaport Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm, and the Providence Journal Company overseeing venture investing, new business development and mergers and acquisitions.  Mr. Baker earned his BA, cum laude, in History from the University of Cincinnati and an MBA from New York University.

Christopher L. Baucom, CFA

• Managing Director

Education

• MBA, Finance, University of Chicago
• BS, Industrial Engineering, North Carolina State University

Industry Experience (since 1990)

• Copernus
• Matrix
• Procter & Gamble

Biography

• Christopher L. Baucom, CFA, Managing Director has more than 11 years of private equity experience.  He joined FW Capital in 2001 and is responsible for investment operations, analysis and business development.  Mr. Baucom's background in private equity includes founding a venture-backed enterprise software company, Copernus, in 1995 and raising $20 million in angel and venture capital as its Chief Financial Officer.  Prior to that, Mr. Baucom held leadership positions with Matrix Asset Allocation, an investment management firm and The Procter & Gamble Company.  Mr. Baucom earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University and an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago. 

Joseph B. Michael, CFA

• Managing Director

Education

• BS, Business Administration, John Carroll University
• MBA, John Carroll University

Industry Experience (since 1977)

• Peppertree Partners LLC
• State Teachers' Retirement System of Ohio
• Ohio Department of Development
• The Lincoln Electric Company

Biography

• Joseph B. Michael, CFA, Managing Director has 21 years of private equity investment experience.  He joined FW Capital in 2008, as part of the firm's acquisition of Peppertree Partners LLC's funds of funds, and is responsible for investment strategy and analysis.  Mr. Michael's background in private equity includes serving as a Founder and a Managing Director with Peppertree as well as the positions of securities analyst, director of equity research and, ultimately, manager of alternative investments for the State Teachers' Retirement System of Ohio.  Mr. Michael also worked as an investment analyst with the State of Ohio, Department of Development and assistant credit manager for The Lincoln Electric Company.  Mr. Michael earned a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from John Carroll University.

Paul D. Cohn

• Vice President and Regional Director
• Private Equity

Education

• MBA, Carnegie Mellon University
• BS, Administration and Management Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University

Industry Experience (since 1985)

• Navigation Capital Partners, LLC
• Mellon Ventures
• Mellon Bank
• Westinghouse Credit Corp.

Biography

• Mr. Cohn joined FW Capital in 2006 as Vice President and Regional Director for the Ohio-based program. Mr. Cohn most recently served as Founder and Managing Director for Navigation Capital Partners, LLC, a boutique investment bank. Mr. Cohn has held executive positions with G4 Venture Partners, a venture capital firm and Mellon Ventures, a private equity firm. Mr. Cohn brings over 14 years of private equity and fundraising experience to FW Capital. Mr. Cohn earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University's Graduate School of Industrial Administration and a BS in Administration and Management Services from Carnegie Mellon University.

Mary Ann Griffin

• Senior Investment Manager
• Private Equity

Education

• BA, Economics, University of Virginia

Industry Experience (since 1998)

• Credit Suisse First Boston
• Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.
• Merrill Lynch & Co.

Biography

• Mary Ann Griffin, Senior Investment Manager, joined FW Capital in 2003 and is responsible for leading investment analysis and relationships with underlying fund managers.  Ms. Griffin has five years of private equity experience and leads FW Capital's investment efforts into healthcare, a key focus area for the firm.  Ms. Griffin previously worked for Credit Suisse First Boston in New York as an Equity Research Associate Analyst covering major pharmaceuticals.  Prior to Credit Suisse First Boston, Ms. Griffin was a Financial Analyst in the Investment Banking Group of Merrill Lynch & Co.  Ms. Griffin earned a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia.

   

Peter O. Jarman

• Assistant Vice President, Senior Investment Manager and Regional Director
• Private Equity

Education

• MBA, The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University
• BA, Spanish, University of Utah

Industry Experience (since 1994)

• Roundy, Inc.
• Parametric Technology Corp.
• Oculus Technologies Corp.
• Campus Pipeline (now SunGard Higher Education)
• Banc of America Securities
• Icon Health and Fitness

Biography

• Peter O. Jarman, Senior Investment Manager (Salt Lake City office), joined FW Capital in 2006 and is responsible for leading investment analysis and relationships with underlying fund managers focused on technology. Mr. Jarman has 10 years of private equity related experience.  He has held numerous executive positions in high growth private equity-backed companies, including Roundy, Inc., Parametric Technology, Oculus Technologies, Campus Pipeline (now SunGard Higher Education) and Icon Health and Fitness, Inc.  Mr. Jarman earned a BA in Spanish from the University of Utah and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

Joseph A. Woods

• Senior Investment Manager
• Private Equity

Education

• BS, Economics, Ohio State University
• BS, Business Administration, Ohio State University
• MBA, Carnegie Mellon University
• MS, Information Technology, Carnegie Mellon University

Industry Experience (since 1994)

• Best Buy, Inc.
• Mellon Ventures
• Coopers & Lybrand

Biography

• Joseph A. Woods, Senior Investment Manager (Cincinnati office), joined FW Capital in 2008 and is responsible for leading investment analysis of secondary opportunities.  Mr. Woods has 12 years of private equity investment experience.  He was previously Director, Emerging Businesses for Best Buy Co., Inc. and Vice President for Mellon Ventures, the private equity affiliate of Mellon Financial Corporation.  Prior to working with Mellon Ventures, Mr. Woods was a Senior Associate with Coopers & Lybrand LLP.  Mr. Woods earned BS degrees in both Economics and Business Administration from Ohio State University, as well as both an MS in Information Technology and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University.

Julia Ossipov-Grodsky, CFA

• Investment Manager
• Private Equity

Education

• BS, Economics, University of Pennsylvania - The Wharton School

Industry Experience (since 1998)

• Morgan Stanley

Biography

• Julia Ossipov-Grodsky, CFA, Investment Manager (Cincinnati office), joined FW Capital in 2005 and is responsible for due diligence and investment analysis for underlying funds.  Ms. Ossipov-Grodsky has four years of private equity experience.  She previously worked for Morgan Stanley in New York as an Equity Research Associate Analyst covering computer sciences, foodservice and financial services.  Prior to Morgan Stanley, Ms. Ossipov-Grodsky was a Financial Analyst Intern with the Real Estate Acquisition Group of J.P. Morgan in New York.  Ms. Ossipov-Grodsky earned a BS in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.  Ms. Ossipov-Grodsky also holds the CFA professional designation.

M. Robert Maeder, CFA

• Senior Investment Manager
• Private Equity

Education

• BA, Economics, Northwestern University
• MBA, The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University

Industry Experience (since 1996)

• L.E.K. Consulting
• Civic Partners
• Merrill Lynch & Co.

Biography

• M. Robert Maeder, CFA, Senior Investment Manager (Cincinnati office), joined FW Capital in 2007 and is responsible for leading due diligence and investment analysis of underlying funds. Mr. Maeder has seven years of private equity experience.  He previously worked as an Engagement Manager at L.E.K. Consulting where he developed growth strategies for corporate clients and led strategic due diligence assignments for mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. Prior to L.E.K. Consulting, Mr. Maeder was an Associate with CIVC Partners, a middle-market buyout firm, and an Analyst with Merrill Lynch's mergers and acquisitions group. Mr. Maeder earned a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.  Mr. Maeder also holds the CFA professional designation.

Tarik Adam

• Investment Manager

Education

• MBA, Banking and Finance, Case Western Reserve University
• BS, Business Administration, The Ohio State University

Industry Experience (since 2000)

• Peppertree Partners LLC
• Allegiant Asset Management
• Brantley Asset Management
• McDonald Investments

Biography

• Tarik Adam, Investment Manager, joined FW Capital in 2008 as part of the firm's acquisition of Peppertree Partners LLC's funds of funds.  Mr. Adam is responsible for leading due diligence and investment analysis of underlying funds.  Prior to joining FW Capital, Mr. Adam worked closely with Messrs. Baker and Cohn as part of a joint venture between Peppertree and FW Capital.  Prior to joining Peppertree, Mr. Adam worked with Allegiant Asset Management as a Senior Analyst in the Small Cap Equity area and with Brantley Asset Management as a Co-Fund Manager.  Mr. Adam was also an Equity Portfolio Analyst with McDonald Investments.  Mr. Adam earned an MBA, Banking and Finance, from Case Western Reserve University and a BS, Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

Philip D. Johnson

• Investment Analyst
• Private Equity

Education

• MBA, Accounting and Financial Analysis, Indiana University
• BS, Business, Indiana University

Industry Experience (since 2006)

• J. P. Morgan
• Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

Biography

• Mr. Johnson joined FW Capital in 2009 as an Investment Analyst. Prior to joining FW Capital, Mr. Johnson gained extensive transaction experience with Bear Stearns and J.P. Morgan, providing financial analysis and support for mergers, acquisitions, and other transactions as a member of the Global Healthcare Group. Mr. Johnson earned an MBA in Accounting and Financial Analysis and a BS in Business from Indiana University.

G. Scott Tabor

• Investment Analyst
• Private Equity

Education

• MBA, Finance and Accounting, Indiana University
• BA, Economics, Cornell University

Industry Experience (since 2004)

• Commerce Street Venture Group
• Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

Biography

• Mr. Tabor joined FW Capital in 2009 as an Investment Analyst. He was previously an Analyst with the Commerce Street Venture Group where he assessed venture capital and private equity investments. Prior to Commerce Street, he worked as a Fixed-Income Analyst with Bear Stearns in New York with the residential mortgage-backed securitization (RMBS) team. Mr. Tabor earned an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University and a BA in Economics from Cornell University.

Margaret C. Bell

• Managing Director
• Business Development, Marketing and Client Service

Education

• BA, Cum Laude, Psychology, Hollins College in Roanoke

Industry Experience (since 1988)

• Todd Investment Advisors, Inc.
• PNC Bank
• Kentucky Country Day School
• Unisys Corporation
• Exxon Office Systems Company

Stephen E. Ball

• Vice President, Regional Business Development

Education

• BA, History, William & Mary
• United States Naval Aviation Training

Industry Experience (since 1984)

• Husic Capital Management
• Eagle Asset Management
• Mentor Investment Group
• 1838 Investment Advisors
• Seaboard Investment Advisers
• PaineWebber
• Kidder Peabody & Co.
• United States Navy

John P. Bessone

• Vice President, Regional Business Development

Education

• BA, American Studies, Williams College

Industry Experience (since 1986)

• KTLindustries, Ltd.
• Stevenson & Company
• Richland Gordon & Company

Martin W. Flesher

• Vice President, Regional Business Development

Education

• MBA, Finance, Xavier University
• BS, Business Administration, Miami University

Industry Experience (since 1984)

• Dean Investment Associates
• Merrill Lynch & Co.
• Banc One Corporation

Barry D. Pavlo, CFA

• Vice President, Regional Business Development

Education

• MBA, University of Dayton
• BS, Finance, West Virginia University

Industry Experience (since 1988)

• Allegiant Asset Management
• National City Corporation
• Huntington Bancshares Inc.
• Danter Company

Kenneth J. Ryan, CPA

• Assistant Vice President
• Director of Client Service

Education

• MBA, Finance, Xavier University
• BS, Accounting, University of Dayton

Industry Experience (since 1986)

• Eagle Realty Group
• Western & Southern Life

Mark A. Frietch

• Managing Director, Marketing and Investment Operations

Education

• BS, Cum Laude, University of Dayton

Industry Experience (since 1987)

• BISYS Group/McDonald Investments (BISYS, Victory Fund Services, Gradison)
• Union Central Life Insurance Co. UCL Financial Group
• Technegrowth, Inc.

Biography

• Mark A. Frietch, Managing Director, Marketing and Investment Operations (Cincinnati office), joined Fort Washington in 2002 to assume executive management and oversight responsibility for Fort Washington's Investment Operations Department.  In 2007, Mr. Frietch also assumed executive management responsibility for Fort Washington's Marketing Department.  Prior to joining Fort Washington, Mr. Frietch was a Senior Vice President with the Gradison Division of BISYS Group/McDonald Investments.  Mr. Frietch's background also includes positions as an Assistant Comptroller with Union Central Life Insurance Co. and Controller with Technegrowth, Inc.  Mr. Frietch earned a BS, Cum Laude, in Accounting from the University of Dayton. 
  

Eric J. Walzer

• Vice President, Investment Operations

Education

• BA, Magna Cum Laude, University of Cincinnati

Industry Experience (since 1994)

• Fifth Third Bank
• Gradison McDonald Investments
• Ernst & Young, LLP

Biography

• Eric J. Walzer, Vice President, Investment Operations (Cincinnati office), joined Fort Washington in 2002 to assume daily management and oversight responsibility for Fort Washington's Investment Operations Department.  Prior to joining Fort Washington, Mr. Walzer held positions as a Trust Officer and Fund Accounting Manager with Fifth Third Bank.  Mr. Walzer's background also includes positions as an Assistant Controller with Gradison McDonald Investments and Tax Accountant with Ernst & Young LLP.  Mr. Walzer earned a BA, Magna Cum Laude, in Accounting and Finance from the University of Cincinnati.

Joe Don Cole

• Director, Fund Administration & Limited Partner Relations
• Private Equity

Education

• MBA, Xavier University
• BA, Harvard University

Industry Experience (since 2000)

• Fidelity Investments, Inc.
• Office of US Senator McConnell

Biography

• Joe Don Cole, Director, Fund Administration & Limited Partner Relations  (Cincinnati office), joined FW Capital in 2006 and is responsible for direct operational oversight of private equity fund reporting and analytics as well as client service.  Prior to joining FW Capital, Mr. Cole held various positions with Fidelity Investments including Pension Manager, Private Client Representative and Securities Trader.  Mr. Cole has also served as a Legislative Assistant with a U. S. Senator.  Mr. Cole earned a BA in Economics from Harvard University and an MBA in Entrepreneurial Planning from Xavier University.