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Helping companies improve performance over the long-term

We know that running a successful business requires endurance and hard work.

About ICV

We know that running a successful business requires endurance and hard work. We’re sensitive to what smaller companies face, what they need and what they’re trying to achieve.

We have a strong track record of helping companies improve performance over the long-term.

We focus solely on companies in the lower end of the middle market and we learn from each relationship. Through a singular focus, we’re committed to the realities of growing a mid size business.

Our History

Helping to grow companies is as much as art as science

CV Partners was founded in 1998 as “Inner City Ventures.”

Our goal was to create a world-class, ethnic minority-owned private investment company.

CV Partners was founded in 1998 as “Inner City Ventures.”

Our goal was to create a world-class, ethnic minority-owned private investment company.

CV Partners was founded in 1998 as “Inner City Ventures.”

Our goal was to create a world-class, ethnic minority-owned private investment company.

About Us

Helping companies improve performance over the long-term

We know that running a successful business requires endurance and hard work.

About ICV

We know that running a successful business requires endurance and hard work. We’re sensitive to what smaller companies face, what they need and what they’re trying to achieve.

We have a strong track record of helping companies improve performance over the long-term.

We focus solely on companies in the lower end of the middle market and we learn from each relationship. Through a singular focus, we’re committed to the realities of growing a mid size business.

Management teams trust our time tested tools.

  • thoughtful strategies for growing top line revenues,
  • post-closing retreats,
  • strategy development,
  • Asian product-sourcing for significant cost-savings,
  • best practices and benchmarking,
  • conservative balance sheets,
  • sourcing, funding and structuring key add-on acquisitions, and
  • fast, seamless closings.

Our History

ICV Partners was founded in 1998 as “Inner City Ventures.” Our goal was to create a world-class, ethnic minority-owned private investment company.

Over a decade later, ICV is a leading private investment firm with over $440 million in capital. ICV is focused on partnering with management teams of companies in the lower end of the middle market.

ICV invests in leading companies with sales of $25 – $250 million.

ICV’s principals have crafted a strong track record, investing more than $235 million in 19 companies.

co-sponsors

CV also boasts special partnerships with two institutional co-sponsors – American Securities and the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC). These sponsors provide invaluable resources such as deal flow, institutional expertise, back-office support, best practices and industry connections.

American Securities

American Securities is a leading U.S. private equity firm that invests in market-leading North American companies with annual revenues generally ranging from $500 million to $2 billion. American Securities has over $9 billion under management and is currently investing from its sixth fund.

American Securities adheres to a proven investment strategy:

  • Invest in market-leading companies with sustainable positions.
  • Operate in stable demand industries.
  • Employ a conservative capital structure with no subordinated debt.
  • Work diligently with management teams to be a value-added partner. Our Resources Group includes world-class functional experts who are full-time American Securities employees available to portfolio company management teams on request.

Michael G. Fisch

President & CEO,
American Securities
Michael Fisch
ICIC

Michael E. Porter

Founder & Chairman
ICIC
Michael Porter

The Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1994 by Harvard Business School Professor Michael E. Porter.

ICIC’s mission is to promote economic prosperity in America’s inner cities through private sector engagement that leads to job, income and wealth creation for local residents. ICIC brings together business and civic leaders to drive innovation and action, transform thinking, and accelerate inner city business growth.

ICIC’s nationally recognized Board of Directors includes CEOs, scholars, venture capitalists, and community leaders.

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  • AAMP of America
  • Chung’s Foods, Inc.
  • Hilsinger Company
  • Innovative Packaging Solutions
  • Marshall Retail Group
  • Sterling Foods
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  • Innovative Packaging Solutions
  • Marshall Retail Group
  • Sterling Foods
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  • AAMP of America
    •
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  • Innovative Packaging Solutions
  • Marshall Retail Group
  • Sterling Foods
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    • Investment Professionals
    • Finance & Compliance
    • Resource
    • Administration
    • MD
    • Principals
    • Vice President
    • Associates
    Grace Bianchi Grace Bianchi
    Grace Bianchi
    Grace BianchiDirector of Office Administration
    Prior to joining ICV, Ms. Bianchi was an Administrative Coordinator at Merrill Lynch in the Private Equity Group. Prior to Merrill Lynch, Ms. Bianchi was an Administrative Assistant in the M&A; a Group at AON Risk Services Inc, Babyfair Inc. and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Ms. Bianchi holds a BS degree cum laude in Business, Management, & Economics, with a focus in Human Resources Management from SUNY Empire State College. Getting to know Grace Bianchi:
    • Enjoys traveling to the Caribbean
    • Enjoys interior design and home renovations
    • Team Captain of "Living to Lose Lupus" for the ALR Lupus Walks in NYC
    Adam Buford Adam Buford
    Adam Buford
    Adam BufordAssociate
    Prior to joining ICV, Mr. Buford was an Analyst in the Power, Utilities & Energy Infrastructure Investment Banking group at Bank of America from 2019 to 2021. While at BofA, Mr. Buford executed M&A transactions and debt, equity and tax equity financings across various power sectors including Renewables, Clean Tech, Utilities and Conventional Generation. Mr. Buford received his B.A. in Financial Economics from Columbia University. Getting To Know Adam Buford:
    • Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio
    • Avid traveler and history buff
    • Passionate fan of Manchester United Football Club
    Kimberly Cooper Kimberly Cooper
    Kimberly Cooper
    Kimberly CooperExecutive Assistant
    Prior to joining ICV, Kim was an Executive Assistant to the Client Services Department at Davidson Kempner Capital Management. Previously she held the position of Executive Assistant to the President of Lindsay Goldberg LLC. She brings 20 years administrative experience including project management and senior level executive support while creating efficiency between all levels of the firm. Kim holds a BS in Business Administration from Eastern Connecticut State University. Getting to know Kimberly Cooper:
    • Grew up in Mystic, CT
    • Once a Flight Attendant for Tower Airlines
    • Wildlife enthusiast
    Brian Dunefsky Brian Dunefsky
    Brian Dunefsky
    Brian DunefskyCCO
    Prior to joining ICV, Mr. Dunefsky was Special Counsel at WithersWorldwide in New York, representing private equity firms, investment advisors, investors and ultra-high net worth individuals in a wide variety of legal and regulatory matters. Mr. Dunefsky began his legal career at a Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, a leading investment funds law firm, where he represented clients in connection with complex financial litigation and Securities and Exchange Commission and U.S. Department of Justice investigations. Mr. Dunefsky graduated from Binghamton University with a BA in Economics, and received his JD from Hofstra University School of Law. Getting To Know Brian Dunefsky:
    • Born and raised in the Bronx, NY
    • Certified instrument-rated pilot
    • Played college baseball as a left-handed pitcher
    Qian W. Elmore Qian W. Elmore
    Qian W. Elmore
    Qian W. ElmoreManaging Director
    Mr. Qian Elmore was most recently a Principal for Chicago-based Reliant Equity Investors, a middle-market buyout firm. While at Reliant, Qian served on the Board of Directors of several private companies. Prior to joining Reliant, Mr. Elmore was a Senior Associate at two private equity firms, Wind Point Partners and McCown De Leeuw. Mr. Elmore began his career as an investment banking professional in the M&A and Corporate Finance groups of Morgan Stanley. Mr. Elmore received a B.A. in Finance, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Morehouse College and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Board of Directors: Getting to know Qian Elmore:
    • Born in New York City
    • Father of twin boys
    • Enjoys grilling, driving stick shifts and skiing
    Bill Ford Bill Ford
    Bill Ford
    Bill FordManaging Director
    Prior to joining ICV, Mr. Ford worked for The Coca-Cola Company where he managed the portfolio of venturing investments in the Venturing and Emerging Brands (VEB) operating unit. Prior to Coca-Cola, Mr. Ford was the general manager of the coffee business unit at TreeHouse Foods. Prior thereto, Mr. Ford was a management consultant at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) where he specialized in consumer and industrial goods. Earlier in his career, Mr. Ford was a consultant at Accenture. Mr. Ford holds a Bachelors in Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University and a Masters in Business Administration from The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Getting to Know Bill Ford:
    • On a quest with his wife and 2 children to visit every National Park in the U.S.
    • Enjoys cooking and learning about new cuisines
    • Long-time fan of his native Detroit sports teams: Red Wings, Pistons, Tigers, and Lions
    Kristie Goodman Kristie Goodman
    Kristie Goodman
    Kristie GoodmanDirector of Investor Relations
    Prior to joining ICV, Mrs. Goodman served as Founder and CEO of Inner City Consulting, LLC where she provided ESG, strategy, and outsourced investor relations services to private equity and venture funds. Prior to Inner City, she was a Director of Marketing and Investor Relations for Wind Point Partners, Fisher Lynch Capital, and Parish Capital Advisors. Ms. Goodman brings over 15 years of private equity experience, as a limited partner and general partner. Ms. Goodman holds a BBS in Finance from Georgia State University and a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Keller Graduate School. Getting To Know Kristie Goodman:
    • Enjoys traveling, watching youth basketball and writing poetry
    • In her spare time, she supports initiatives that seek to bridge the wealth and educational divide that exists in underrepresented communities.
    Everett L. Hill Everett L. Hill
    Everett L. Hill
    Everett L. HillManaging Director
    Prior to joining ICV, Mr. Hill was an independent management consultant who collaborated with CEOs and CSOs, helping their companies grow by aligning sales and customer service execution with an effective competitive strategy. In that capacity, he performed several pivotal engagements within the ICV portfolio. Prior to becoming a consultant, Mr. Hill had an extensive operating career at Coca-Cola Enterprises, where he honed his functional expertise in field sales, inside sales, and distribution, and led technology-enabled corporate transformations. His largest P&L was $250 million. Mr. Hill began his sales career carrying a bag in Rohm and Haas spinoff companies. He is on the board of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits and has a BSE in chemical engineering from Princeton University and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Getting to know Everett Hill:
    • I’m an Army brat
    • I’ve completed nine marathons
    • I love to travel internationally with my wife of thirty-six years
    Sheldon Howell Sheldon Howell
    Sheldon Howell
    Sheldon HowellPrincipal
    Prior to joining ICV, Mr. Howell worked for Churchill Financial, a provider of senior and mezzanine debt financing to middle-market financial sponsors. Prior to Churchill Financial, Mr. Howell worked in investment banking at Merrill Lynch in the Financial Sponsors group. Prior thereto, Mr. Howell worked for Ladenburg Thalmann, a New York-based middle-market investment bank, and in the Management Liability Division of American International Group. Mr. Howell holds a BA degree in Economics and Political Science from Rutgers University and a Masters in Business Administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where he was a Merrill Lynch MBA Fellow and a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow. Board of Directors: Getting to know Sheldon Howell:
    • From the Bronx, NY
    • Long-suffering fan of the New York Mets, Cincinnati Bengals, and New Jersey Nets
    • Of Jamaican, Chinese and Indian heritage