Management Team
Arthur Hollingsworth, Managing Partner
Investment Committee
Mr. Hollingsworth is Managing Partner of four private equity funds, with portfolio companies collectively at $450 million in sales and 5,100 employees. He has 26 years of experience in private equity investing and investment banking with the funds mentioned above, Paine Webber Incorporated, and CS First Boston Corporation. He served on the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, was Chairman of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau, was Chairman of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and also has served as the Vice Chairman of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Authority. Mr. Hollingsworth currently serves on the boards of Hollingsworth & Vose, Continental Electronics Corporation, Dallas Committee on Foreign Relations, Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau (Immediate Past Chairman), Dallas Symphony Orchestra Retirement Plan, Energy Steel Products, LLC (Chairman), InStaff Personnel, Inc. (Chairman), Safety Storage, Inc., Petroplex Acidizing L.P., University of Texas Southwestern University Hospitals and Clinics Board of Visitors, and Yellow Checker Cab Company of Dallas/Fort Worth, Inc. He is a former board member of the City of Dallas Reinvestment Zone Board, the City of Dallas Privatization Technical Subcommittee, and the LBJ Executive Board which developed the construction plan for IH 635 Freeway. A Harvard College Scholar, Arthur Hollingsworth earned an undergraduate degree in Economics from Harvard University and has served as Chairman of the Harvard Club of Dallas. He is an inductee in the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame for his role as Captain of the National Championship 1985 Harvard Rowing Team, as referenced in Devin Mahony’s book, The Challenge. (Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1989. Print.) In January 2009, the Dallas Business Journal awarded Mr. Hollingsworth with the Community Impact Dealmaker of the Year award.
John McGuire, Managing Director of Operations
Investment Committee
Mr. John McGuire joined Lone Star Investment Advisors in June 2008, as Vice President of Operations. Mr. McGuire has over 25 years experience working for manufacturing and distribution companies, having filled numerous operational positions within Wang Computers, Western Digital, Nacco Material Handling, Radix Telecom, BE Aerospace, Schrader Electronics and K&D Plastics. Mr. McGuire used lean manufacturing techniques extensively throughout his career and his primary role with Lone Star Investment Advisors will be to work with, and assist, portfolio companies in evaluating current business processes and jointly determining opportunities to improve. Mr. McGuire will also assist with due diligence programs. Mr. McGuire holds an MBA from the University Of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland and APICS (American Production and Inventory Control Society) certification.
Ellen Billings, Chief Financial Officer
Investment Committee
Ms. Billings joined Lone Star Investment Advisors in 2010, with 20 years of experience in the financial services industry. Ms. Billings previously served as Managing Director of Commerce Street Capital, fka SAMCO Capital Markets, where she joined in 2005 and worked for the firm's private equity funds that invest in community banks. Prior to that time, Ms. Billings served as a senior financial analyst for California Federal Bank and its chairman, Gerald J. Ford. She also served as Controller for Auto One Acceptance Corporation, a subsidiary of California Federal Bank, and as Assistant Controller for H.D. Vest Financial Services, a broker/dealer. Ms. Billings holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University, and is a Certified Public Accountant, licensed in the State of Texas.
Will Walters, Vice President
Mr. Walters joined Lone Star Investment Advisors as an Associate in the spring of 2007. His responsibilities include investment evaluation, due diligence, financial analysis, and deal execution. He is also actively engaged in identifying and implementing growth strategies for portfolio companies. Prior to Lone Star, Mr. Walters was an Associate with Covalent Capital, LLC, a Dallas-based private equity firm. Before joining Covalent Capital, Mr. Walters worked in JPMorgan's structured finance department as a Senior Analyst.
Mr. Walters maintains leadership positions within the Dallas community including serving as a board member of the SMU Cox MBA Venture Fund, a trustee of the Dallas Heritage Village, a member of Leadership Arts (NTBCA), a participant in the Mayor's Southern Dallas Task Force, and a mentor to SMU MBAs and BBAs. Mr. Walters graduated from Southern Methodist University where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance, Financial Consulting, and Strategy.
Adrian Ocegueda, Vice President
Mr. Ocegueda joined Lone Star New Markets LP as an Associate in May 2008. His prior experience includes serving as a Senior Policy Advisor to the Mayor of El Paso and serving as an Economic Analyst for various government and non-profit entities. Mr. Ocegueda holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Economy from Princeton University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance & Financial Consulting from Southern Methodist University. His responsibilities include Community Reinvestment Act and Community Development support and compliance. He also works on due diligence, financial analysis, and monitoring of new and existing portfolio companies.
Bryan Grabowsky, Senior Associate
Mr. Grabowsky has over 5 years of experience in corporate finance. Prior to joining Lone Star Investment Advisors, he was employed as a Financial Analyst in the investment banking division at Challenger Capital Group in Dallas. Prior to Challenger Capital Group, Mr. Grabowsky was employed as a Senior Associate in the transaction services group at KPMG in Dallas.
Mr. Grabowsky graduated from the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University with a M.S. and B.B.A., both in Accounting. Additionally, Mr. Grabowsky is actively involved in various business and philanthropic organizations including Interfaith Housing Coalition, The Business Associates Program (BAP) at SMU and Dallas' Young Professionals in Finance organization.
Luke Bateman, Associate
Mr. Bateman joined Lone Star Investment Advisors as a Senior Analyst in July 2010. His current responsibilities as an associate include investment evaluation, due diligence, financial analysis, and monitoring of new and existing portfolio companies. Prior to joining Lone Star, he was employed as a Financial Analyst at Cogent Partners, a Dallas based investment bank focused on the private equity secondary market.
Mr. Bateman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a secondary degree in Government from Harvard University. He has completed Level I of the CFA Program.