McNally Capital Strengthens Portfolio Operations and Deal Team with Five New Hires
McNally Capital Expands Portfolio Company Operations Team and Deal Team with Five Strategic Hires
McNally Capital, a leading private equity firm specializing in acquiring founder-, family-, and management-owned businesses in the lower middle market, is proud to announce the expansion of its Portfolio Operations Team and Deal Team with the addition of five experienced professionals. This strategic move marks a significant step forward in McNally’s commitment to driving transformative value for its portfolio companies through operational and technological expertise.
Joining the Portfolio Operations Team are Gus Pinto, Tim Gossett, Rob Kirk, and Ryan McDonough. Each of these individuals brings a wealth of experience in performance improvement, digital transformation, and operational excellence. Additionally, Grace Chatas has been welcomed to the Deal Team, further strengthening Capital’s transaction execution capabilities.
Strengthening McNally Capital’s Commitment to Value Creation
The addition of these professionals underscores McNally Capital’s ongoing investment in its proprietary value creation approach, Atlas. This approach equips portfolio companies with strategic guidance, hands-on expertise, and the technological innovation necessary to accelerate growth and unlock new opportunities.
“Our ability to drive transformative value for our portfolio companies is strengthened by our continued investment in operational and technology expertise,” said Lou Rassey, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of McNally Capital. “Gus, Tim, Rob, and Ryan bring significant experience in performance improvement, digital transformation, and strategic growth—and Grace further strengthens our Deal Team and transaction execution capabilities. We are thrilled to welcome them to the McNally Capital team.”
The Role of the Portfolio Operations Team
McNally’s Portfolio Operations Team plays an essential role in implementing the firm’s value creation strategy. By leveraging expertise in operations excellence, artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and strategic growth, the team helps portfolio companies optimize their business models and drive sustainable success.
A key function of the Portfolio Operations Team is to provide comprehensive value creation support. Rob Kirk and Ryan McDonough focus on full-spectrum value creation across the portfolio, assisting companies in strategy-setting, 100-day planning, and value capture post-close. Their expertise in business transformation and strategic execution ensures that portfolio companies realize maximum value throughout the investment lifecycle.
Meanwhile, Gus Pinto and Tim Gossett bring deep technical expertise in AI, software development, and cloud computing. Their focus is on digital transformation, helping companies modernize IT infrastructures, integrate AI into business operations, and implement innovative technology solutions. They also serve as fractional Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) for portfolio companies, guiding technology-driven innovation and ensuring best-in-class digital leadership.
Meet the New Team Members
Gus Pinto – Principal, Portfolio Operations
Gus Pinto joins McNally Capital as a Principal within the Portfolio Operations Team, where he will lead software strategy and development for portfolio companies and internal operations. With more than 20 years of experience in technology leadership, product development, and business operations, Gus has played a pivotal role in building and scaling software solutions that drive business growth and operational efficiency.
Previously, Gus served as the Chief Product and Technology Officer at SyBridge, where he led the company’s digital transformation initiatives. His extensive experience also includes leadership roles at Fast Radius, Magic Leap, and Citrix. He specializes in AI-enabled workflow automation, cloud computing, and enterprise software development. His expertise will be invaluable in embedding advanced digital capabilities across McNally Capital’s portfolio companies.
Tim Gossett – Vice President, Portfolio Operations
Tim Gossett brings extensive expertise in cloud architecture, AI, and software-driven enterprise solutions. As Vice President, Portfolio Operations, he will focus on integrating AI and digital transformation initiatives across McNally’s portfolio companies.
Before joining McNally Capital, Tim held leadership positions at SyBridge Technologies, Fast Radius, and Bellhop, where he was instrumental in developing cloud infrastructure, software prototyping, and AI-based optimization algorithms. His technical acumen and strategic mindset will be crucial in modernizing IT frameworks and enhancing operational efficiency within McNally’s portfolio companies.
Rob Kirk – Vice President, Portfolio Operations
Rob Kirk joins McNally Capital with a deep background in business strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and operational transformation. As Vice President, Portfolio Operations, Rob will focus on driving strategic growth initiatives, post-close value capture, and operational excellence across the firm’s investments.
Prior to McNally, Rob was a Principal at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), where he worked extensively in the Private Equity practice. He partnered with clients across multiple industries to implement value creation initiatives, optimize business strategies, and execute operational improvements. His experience in go-to-market strategy and performance enhancement will be instrumental in strengthening McNally Capital’s portfolio companies.
Ryan McDonough – Vice President, Portfolio Operations
Ryan McDonough brings extensive experience in strategy development, operational performance improvement, and value creation. As Vice President, Portfolio Operations, he will work closely with McNally Capital’s portfolio companies to implement strategic initiatives aimed at driving growth and enhancing business efficiency.
Ryan joins McNally from Bain & Company, where he advised clients in the Aerospace & Defense and Advanced Manufacturing sectors. Before his tenure at Bain, Ryan held leadership roles in a defense technology company and served as a U.S. Navy bomb disposal officer. His leadership experience and operational expertise will play a key role in accelerating the value creation process for McNally’s investments.
Grace Chatas – Associate, Deal Team
Grace Chatas joins McNally Capital’s Deal Team, where she will focus on supporting transaction execution and investment analysis. Her addition strengthens the firm’s capabilities in sourcing, evaluating, and executing investments in the lower middle market.
Grace brings a strong background in finance and investment management, with previous experience in private equity and investment banking. She will work closely with McNally’s investment professionals to identify high-potential acquisition targets and contribute to the firm’s rigorous due diligence processes.
A Strategic Vision for the Future
With these key hires, McNally Capital reaffirms its commitment to operational excellence, digital innovation, and strategic growth. The expanded Portfolio Operations Team will provide hands-on guidance to portfolio companies, ensuring they have the necessary tools and expertise to thrive in an increasingly competitive business landscape.
By strengthening its Deal Team, McNally Capital is also enhancing its ability to execute transactions efficiently and identify investment opportunities that align with its strategic objectives. The firm remains dedicated to acquiring and growing founder-, family-, and management-owned businesses, leveraging its deep expertise and value creation framework to drive long-term success.
As McNally Capital continues to expand its capabilities, the firm is well-positioned to support its portfolio companies in navigating complex challenges and seizing new opportunities in the market. The addition of Gus Pinto, Tim Gossett, Rob Kirk, Ryan McDonough, and Grace Chatas is a testament to unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in private equity investment and operations.
About McNally Capital
Capital is a Chicago-based private equity firm focused on acquiring and growing businesses in the lower middle market. The firm partners with founder-, family-, and management-owned companies, providing capital, strategic resources, and operational expertise to drive long-term value creation. Through its proprietary Atlas approach, Capital helps businesses unlock growth opportunities, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve sustainable success.
