The SFA Team
Helping searchers and CEOs successfully navigate the complex world of searching for, buying and managing a business requires an experienced team of professionals with a diverse set of skills. At SFA, we offer exactly that.
Timothy Bovard
As Founder and CEO, Timothy has a profound understanding of the search fund model. Given his years of experience acquiring and managing businesses and teaching entrepreneurship at INSEAD and Columbia Business School, he is a unique resource for SFA entrepreneurs and CEOs on the search process, deal issues, and small business management. His high-energy and no-frills approach keeps everyone focused on buying outstanding businesses and taking them to the next level. Timothy has a B.S. in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a M.A. in Political Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and an MBA from INSEAD.
SEAN O’NEILL
As a Partner in our Denver office, Sean brings a wealth of experience to searchers and CEOs. He used his deep background in investment banking and private equity to conduct a traditional search, which resulted in him buying and running a security and fire alarm business for six years. He fully understands the challenges and solutions of being a searcher and a CEO. Sean strikes the perfect balance between being a coach, cheerleader, thought partner and board member as he passionately helps our searchers and CEOs succeed. He has a B.A. in Economics from Lehigh University and an MBA from INSEAD.
MAtt parker
Matt is a Partner in the New Orleans office. After spending the first ten years of his career as a derivatives trader on Wall Street, he used his understanding of markets to advise Ultra High Net Worth Individuals and family offices on investment strategies in both private and public markets. Combining the first two chapters of his career with a true entrepreneurial flair, Matt is fully dedicated to helping others succeed professionally and personally as searchers and CEOs. Matt has a B.S. in Accountancy from the University of Mississippi (“Ole Miss”) and an MBA from Darden.
DEREK LOMBARD
Derek is SFA’s VP of Finance. He brings years of experience in accounting, tax and fund administration to the firm. In addition to managing the accounting, legal and tax matters of our funds and their portfolio companies, he is a primary interface with SFA’s investors. Derek also helps searchers and CEOs with due diligence, accounting and tax issues, distributions accounting, and recruiting and managing CFO talent. He has a B.A. in Accounting from Merrimack College and a M.S. in Taxation and an MBA from Suffolk University.
Trevor Lew
Trevor is a Vice President in the New Orleans office. He began his career in lower middle market investment banking working on sell side M&A processes for family-owned businesses across a wide range of industries. He has since held investing and operational finance roles in venture capital and venture-backed businesses. Trevor aims to bring these different perspectives to support both internal and external stakeholders of SFA. Trevor has a B.A. in Commerce and Business from Rhodes College.
Reese Hui
Reese is an Analyst at the Denver office. He's worked across a multitude of organizations: private equity in Asia, public equity research, and a biotech startup. He combines his technical acumen with a deep interest in the psychology of investors to support both searcher and partner alike. Reese has a B.S. in Finance and Psychology from Northeastern University.
ADVISORS
Jeremy silverman
Jeremy was Co-Founder of SFA and today serves as an Advisor to the firm primarily focusing on portfolio management and working with our CEOs. He uses his wealth of experience as an consultant and private equity professional, in addition to his years working with SFA searchers and CEOs, to provide unparalleled insights into companies and their potential for value creation. He helps our entrepreneurs as they build muscle and learn to think like seasoned, dispassionate investors. Jeremy has a B.A. in Oriental Studies from the University of Cambridge and an MBA from HBS.