Matthew J. Rizzo

On January 9, Willkie client Hub Promotional Group (HPG), a leading promotional products supplier and portfolio company of Tenex Capital Management, announced its acquisition of Evans Manufacturing. HPG is a Top 10 supplier in the promotional products industry. Evans Manufacturing specializes in plastic and fabric promotional products. The acquisition joins two prominent promotional product suppliers and brings new North American manufacturing capabilities into the HPG portfolio, with the addition of Evans Manufacturing’s facilities in Southern California and Nogales, Mexico. Tenex Capital Management is a private equity firm that invests in middle market companies. Willkie previously advised Tenex in numerous transactions, including its recent investments in Rose Paving and Wolf Home Products and the sale of AquaCentral. The Willkie team was led by partners Matthew Rizzo and Jessica Sheridan and included associates Augustine Donati and Elena Roeva and law clerk Kevin Ahmed.

Jan 18

1 min

Willkie advised Tenex Capital Management in the transaction. On December 13, Tenex Capital announced the sale of AquaCentral, the second-largest distributor of pool equipment and supplies in the U.S., to Heritage Pool Supply Group, a platform within SRS Distribution, a portfolio company of Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. and Berkshire Partners. As part of the transaction, Tenex and the other AquaCentral shareholders will receive a minority equity interest in SRS Distribution alongside the existing ownership group. Tenex Capital Management is a private equity firm that invests in middle market companies. Tenex has successfully invested in a diverse range of industries, including industrials, manufacturing, automotive aftermarket, and health and business services. The Willkie team was led by partners Matthew Rizzo and Eric Halperin and included associates Annie Heiss, Thomas Merante and Elizabeth Lebens.

Dec 14

1 min

On November 22, Willkie client Tenex Capital Management announced its investment in Rose Paving LLC, a national provider of parking lot maintenance and rehabilitation solutions for commercial customers. Tenex Capital Management is a private equity firm that invests in middle market companies. Tenex has successfully invested in a diverse range of industries, including industrials, manufacturing, automotive aftermarket, and health and business services. Willkie previously advised Tenex in numerous transactions, including its investment in Wolf Home Products and the sale of AquaCentral. The Willkie team was led by partners Matthew Rizzo, Eric Halperin and Amanda M. Burke and included associates Daniela Abadi and Ryan Peloquin.

Nov 23

1 min

Willkie advised Recognize in its investment. On August 9, Blend360, a global provider of data, analytics and talent solutions for Fortune 500 companies, announced that Willkie client Recognize, a technology investment platform focused on the tech services sector, acquired a minority stake in the company. The investment is Blend360’s first institutional investment and marks the start of the next chapter of the company’s strategy. Blend360 has over 600 employees, with offices domestically and internationally in India and EMEA. The company has made the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Companies every year it has been in business and has been awarded a world-class ranking in client satisfaction for the past three years. Recognize is a technology investment platform exclusively focused on the technology services industry. The firm provides operational expertise, industry insights, and strategic capital to innovative companies in this sector. The Willkie team was led by partners Matthew Rizzo and Jessica Sheridan, and included associates Charise Patterson and Marissa Cantu.

Aug 30

1 min

Willkie advised leading background screening provider Cisive in its sale to GTCR. On November 1, it was announced that GTCR signed a definitive agreement to acquire background screening provider Cisive, a portfolio company of CIP Capital. Cisive provides high value employee background screens and industry-specific data services to highly regulated, risk-sensitive industries. Cisive has long-term relationships with a diverse base of blue-chip enterprise clients across healthcare, financial services, transportation and other regulated industries. CIP Capital is a private equity firm focused on platform investments in growth-oriented, middle-market companies across the Business Information and Tech-Enabled Services sectors. GTCR is a leading private equity firm focused on investing in growth companies in the Financial Services & Technology, Healthcare, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, and Growth Business Services industries. Willkie previously advised Cisive in its acquisition of healthcare background screening company PreCheck. The Willkie team was led by partners Matthew Rizzo and Eric Halperin, and included law clerks Charise Patterson and Mihajlo Gasic and associate Luisa Davis.

Dec 10

1 min