LLR Partners Strengthens Security, Defense & Government Services Practice

September 19, 2013

Middle market private equity firm hires Jason Rigoli and Michael Levenberg, opens Washington, D.C. office

Industry veterans, Jason Rigoli and Michael Levenberg, have joined LLR Partners to broaden the private equity firm’s Security, Defense & Government Services portfolio.  Leveraging its experience and existing team with this additional talent, LLR seeks to increase its investment pace in the sector. Jason and Michael will be based in LLR’s recently opened office in Arlington, VA.

“The Security, Defense & Government Services sector is an increasingly important area for us,” said David Stienes, partner at LLR. “Our strength is in supporting innovative business services and technology companies requiring specialized domain knowledge. Having worked with Jason and Michael on previous investments, we knew they had the right skills and cultural fit to help enhance the LLR team and build on our momentum in Washington, D.C.”

Jason and Michael join David Siegel, LLR’s Director of Business Development for Greater Washington, D.C. since 2011. LLR’s new office is located at 3033 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 700, Arlington, VA 22201.

Investment Criteria and Activity

LLR’s Security, Defense & Government Services practice partners with growth companies between $25 and $250 million in annual revenue, including technology and service businesses serving  commercial and government clients in the physical and cyber security markets, as well as government contractors that are driving efficiencies and helping uphold the missions of the U.S. homeland security, defense, intelligence and healthcare agencies.

In 2012, for example, LLR led an investment in System Development.Integration, LLC (SDI), a systems integrator specializing in public safety and homeland security solutions.

New Members of LLR’s Investment Team

Jason Rigoli joins LLR as a principal, having previously led similar industry investments at boutique private equity funds. Earlier in his career, Rigoli was Senior Vice President of the aerospace, defense, security and government services practice at FBR Capital Markets. He also has more than 10 years of experience as an operating executive in the defense consulting industry.

Joining LLR as a senior associate, Michael Levenberg has worked with Jason for the past two years. Prior to that, he was in the aerospace and defense investment banking practice at Jefferies as well as the transaction services group at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Earlier in his career, Michael founded the security and defense division at IQPC Worldwide.

“There are few private equity sponsors with this level of expertise and capital dedicated to the Security, Defense & Government Services sector,” said Rigoli. “Furthermore, few firms with LLR’s scale also provide a flexible investment approach, with the ability to execute both minority and majority investments. This degree of flexibility and LLR’s long history of partnering with management teams appeals to business owners seeking capital and strategic guidance.”