Betting on Yourself, Deal Alignments, and Taking Risks with Omar Simmons

In this episode of Accessing the Pipeline, a podcast from McGuireWoods featuring the voices of Black professionals in private equity and finance, host Rubin Pusha III welcomes Omar Simmons to the show. 

Omar is the co-founder and president of Exaltare Capital Management, a consumer-oriented private equity firm with expertise in multi-unit and franchise businesses strategically partnering with lower middle market companies at inflection points.

Omar shares his journey in private equity from being one of a handful of Black or Brown professionals in the mid-90s to serving as a board member on multiple corporations, such as ECP-PF (Planet Fitness), EVG (Urban Air), and ECM-GF (The Good Feet Store).

While it has never been easy, Omar provides advice for other aspiring Black professionals in the private equity space. He has hopes that diversity will continue to flourish and representation will become even more inclusive.

Rubin and Omar talk about emerging managers, deal alignments and predictions for the remainder of the year. Omar also describes the ins and outs of a major portfolio company exit he recently oversaw.

Tune in to learn about M&As in a post-COVID world, the value of life balance, and how Black professionals can make a name for themselves in private equity.

 

Featured Guest

Name: Omar Simmons

What he does: Omar is the co-founder and president of Exaltare Capital Management and currently serves as a board member to ECP-PF (Planet Fitness), EVG (Urban Air), ECM-GF (The Good Feet Store), InXpress Global, and the International Franchise Association. Omar boasts a 20-plus year career in private equity and has closed over 20 principal transactions exceeding $3B in aggregate transaction value.

Company: Exaltare Capital Management

Where to find Omar: LinkedIn 

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