Rick Coffey has over 35 years of experience in and relevant to the private equity industry, including venture capital investing, institutional portfolio management, direct and co-investing, strategic consulting, corporate finance, product marketing and distribution, the management of entrepreneurial companies, and placement agency services.  Rick earned an A.B. from Princeton University and an M.B.A. from The University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

 

Rick began his career as a founder and officer of Network Development Corporation, an enterprise that provided nationwide marketing, distribution and strategic consulting services to start-up and venture capital-backed companies.  Following business school, he joined Pierce Investment Banking, Inc., a Washington, D.C., regional investment banking firm, where for four years he represented entrepreneurial to middle-market companies in corporate finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, venture financings and private placements. 

 

Rick then joined the investment office of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System ("PSERS") in Harrisburg, PA, as its Director of Private Investments.  In that role, he managed for four years a private investment allocation of $1.5 billion, of which approximately $700 million was committed to private equity partnerships and $400 million was invested in a direct and co-investment portfolio.  On PSERS’ behalf, Rick reviewed PPMs and other fund marketing materials, met with fund managers seeking commitments, conducted due diligence on prospective funds, made investment recommendations to the PSERS’ Board of Trustees, and guided committed funds through the contracting process.  As an Advisory Board member of every fund to which PSERS committed, Rick advised on fund management and reporting.

 

Particularly intrigued by his co-investing activity at PSERS, Rick next co-founded Tandem Investments, Inc. and its affiliates -- the first firm in the private equity industry to focus on co-investments exclusively.  For seven years, he invested in middle-market buyout transactions and growth financings, originating and/or assisting in the investment of approximately $145 million. 

 

Rick next joined Delphi Health Systems, Inc., a developer of disease management software, as its Vice President of Corporate Development.  In that role, he was responsible for establishing strategic partnerships and organizing an angel round of venture capital investment.  Rick then spent nine years as a Managing Director with Thomas Capital Group, Inc., a private equity placement agent, where his primary responsibility was the sale and marketing of client funds and the development of new client relationships.

 

Throughout his career, Rick has developed a collection of skills from all corners of the private equity industry as well as an extensive professional network of contacts and resources.  Private Equity Connections truly is the culmination of his full range of experiences as a consultant, financier, institutional investor, co-investor, officer of an operating company and as a placement agent.

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