Our People

We are business builders who believe
a growth mindset is key to success.

We have built a cross-functional team with diverse skillsets and experience across principal investing, investment banking, operations, and relationship development.

Investment Team

Founder and Managing Partner
Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships
Principal
Vice President
Senior Associate
Senior Associate
Associate
Associate

Entrepreneur and Family Office Network

Partner

Finance and Operations

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer

Operating Partners

Operating Partner
Operating Partner
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Robert Covington

Founder and Managing Partner

Robert Covington is the Founder and Managing Partner of Braemont Capital. He has decades of experience working with families and founder entrepreneurs to source, invest in, and add value to growth businesses.

Prior to founding Braemont Capital, Robert was the Co-Managing Partner of RedBird Capital, where he launched and oversaw the Dallas office. At RedBird, Robert developed the firm’s investment thesis around data infrastructure, insurance and financial services, and technology. He led numerous investments in these verticals, including notable investments in Compass Datacenters (where he served as Chairman of the Board), Constellation, and N3.

Before joining RedBird, Robert was a Managing Director at The Stephens Group, LLC, a private equity firm investing the capital of the Stephens family, one of America’s longest-tenured private equity investors, with origins dating back to 1933. He was also a General Partner at SSM Partners, focusing on expansion-stage technology, business services, and consumer services companies.

Earlier in his career, Robert was the Founder and CEO of Firstdoor, now part of Infor, where he built and directed a 70-person organization, pioneering one of the earliest “Software-as-a-Service” business models.

Robert currently serves on the board of directors for Incline Insurance Group and Loenbro.

Robert holds an MPH from Yale University and a BS in Natural Sciences and Mathematics from Washington and Lee University, where he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. He has been active in his community, serving on the boards of The Nature Conservancy, Streets Ministries, Serve West Dallas, and YPO Dallas, where he served as Chairman.

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Robert Covington

Robert Covington

Founder and Managing Partner

Robert Covington is the Founder and Managing Partner of Braemont Capital. Robert is responsible for finding and executing new deals, monitoring and growing the portfolio as an active board member, and helping to manage the firm. He has invested in growth equity for over two decades, most recently at RedBird Capital Partners where he was Co-Managing Partner for three years and Partner for four years. He was previously with The Stephens Group and SSM Partners. Additionally, he founded and was CEO of Firstdoor Software, an early software as a service (“SaaS”) company. Robert earned his BS degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Washington and Lee University and his MPH at Yale University.

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Wali Bacdayan

Partner

Wali Bacdayan is a Partner at Braemont Capital, where he focuses on identifying and executing new investment opportunities, as well as managing and accelerating growth in the existing portfolio. With decades of investment and operational experience, he has a diverse background as a founder, private family office investor, entrepreneur, and board member.

Prior to Braemont Capital, Wali has served as a Venture Partner at Delta-v Capital where he advises on the firm’s investment strategy development and mentors investment professionals.

Before joining Delta-v Capital, he was a Co-Founder and a Co-Managing Principal at Incline Equity Partners, where he was responsible for the firm’s strategic direction, investor fundraising, deal sourcing and execution, and the performance and growth of portfolio companies and was a member of the firm’s investment committee. Previously, Wali was a Partner at PNC Equity Partners and an Investment Banking Analyst at Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.

Wali currently serves on the board of directors for Aaron’s Company (NYSE: AAN), Lewis & Ellis, Diamond Kinetics, FrontSteps Community, and Envirovac Holdings.

Wali holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a BA in Economics and Mathematics, summa cum laude, from Washington and Lee University. He was named a Trustee of Washington and Lee University in 2019 and has served as its Chairman of the Board (Rector) since February 2024. Wali has also served on the Board of Directors of St. Clair Health System, one of the nation’s top community health systems, and Red and Blue Collective, an NIL collective benefiting student-athletes of Duquesne University.

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Wali Bacdayan

Wali Bacdayan

Partner

Wali Bacdayan is a Partner at Braemont Capital, where he focuses on identifying and executing new investment opportunities, as well as managing and accelerating growth in the existing portfolio. With decades of investment and operational experience, he has a diverse background as a founder, private family office investor, entrepreneur, and board member.

Prior to Braemont Capital, Wali was a Venture Partner at Delta-v Capital, where he was responsible for the firm’s investment strategy development, mentoring investment professionals, and the performance and growth of portfolio companies. Before joining Delta-v Capital, he was a Co-Founder and a Co-Managing Principal at Incline Equity Partners, where he was responsible for the firm’s strategic direction, investor fundraising, deal sourcing and execution, and the performance and growth of portfolio companies and was a member of the firm’s investment committee. Previously, Wali was a Partner at PNC Equity Partners and an Investment Banking Analyst at Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.

Wali currently serves on the board of directors for Aaron’s Company (NYSE: AAN), Lewis & Ellis, Diamond Kinetics, FrontSteps Community and Envirovac Holdings.

Wali holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a BA in Economics and Mathematics, summa cum laude, from Washington and Lee University. He was named a Trustee of Washington and Lee University in 2019 and has served as its Chairman of the Board (Rector) since February 2024. Wali has also served on the Board of Directors of St. Clair Health System, one of the nation’s top community health systems, and Red and Blue Collective, an NIL collective benefiting student-athletes of Duquesne University.

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Jeff Volling

Partner

Jeff Volling is a Partner at Braemont Capital, where he focuses on identifying and executing new investment opportunities, as well as managing and accelerating growth in the existing portfolio.

Prior to Braemont Capital, Jeff was a Principal at Bessemer Investors and a Vice President at AEA Investors in its Small Business Fund. While at Bessemer and AEA, Jeff focused on middle-market control and growth equity transactions across a wide range of industries, including value-added industrial products and services, business services, and consumer/retail.

Previously, Jeff was an Associate at Madison Dearborn Partners and an Investment Banking Analyst at Credit Suisse.

Jeff currently serves on the board of directors for Loenbro, RedTeam Software, and Vixxo.

Jeff holds an MBA from Stanford University and a BS in Finance and Accounting, summa cum laude, from Georgetown University. He serves on the Board of Directors of REACH Prep, an organization providing access to transformational educational experiences for underserved, high-achieving students enabling them to emerge as the next generation of leaders. Jeff has also served as a member of the Board of Trustees and Investment Committee of the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club, an organization serving New York City’s most under-resourced youths.

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Jeff Volling

Jeff Volling

Partner

Jeff Volling is a Partner with Braemont Capital. Jeff is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio as an active board member. Previously, he was with Bessemer Investors, AEA Investors, Madison Dearborn, and Credit Suisse. Jeff earned his BS degree, graduating summa cum laude, in Finance at Georgetown University and his MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

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Lindsay Grider

Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships

Lindsay Grider is a Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships at Braemont Capital. She oversees the firm’s capital raising, investor relations, and co-investment initiatives, leveraging her deep expertise in private equity fundraising and strategic relationship building.

Prior to joining Braemont Capital, Lindsay was the Global Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), where she led the firm’s fundraising and investor relationships globally. Before LLCP, she served as Head of Investor Relations for Tailwater Capital, a Dallas-based middle-market private equity firm. She also held the role of Director of Investor Relations at NGP, overseeing the firm’s business development and investor relationships.

Earlier in her career, Lindsay managed corporate development and distribution for Sterling Stamos Capital Management, an alternative investment firm based in Menlo Park. She began her career in investment banking at Citigroup and Wachovia Securities.

Lindsay holds a BA in International Commerce from Vanderbilt University. Lindsay is active in the community and is a longtime supporter of cultivating professional opportunities for women. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to 3P Energy Capital, a woman-founded boutique investment bank and strategic advisory firm. She has also served on the boards of the Women’s Energy Network and its national foundation, the John S. Bradfield Elementary School serving as Treasurer, and was a founding board member and Treasurer for Flight, an organization benefitting Vogel Alcove. She has also served on the advisory boards of several industry groups for private equity nationally.

Lindsay was named to Hart Energy’s Top 25 Influential Women in Energy and was named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the “Women to Watch” in fundraising.

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Lindsay Grider

Lindsay Grider

Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships

Lindsay Grider is a Partner and Head of Capital Partnerships at Braemont Capital. She oversees the firm’s capital raising, investor relations, and co-investment initiatives, leveraging her deep expertise in private equity fundraising and strategic relationship building.

Prior to joining Braemont Capital, Lindsay was the Global Head of Fundraising and Investor Relations at Levine Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), where she led the firm’s fundraising and investor relationships globally. Before LLCP, she served as Head of Investor Relations for Tailwater Capital, a Dallas-based middle-market private equity firm. She also held the role of Director of Investor Relations at NGP, overseeing the firm’s business development and investor relationships.

Earlier in her career, Lindsay managed corporate development and distribution for Sterling Stamos Capital Management, an alternative investment firm based in Menlo Park. She began her career in investment banking at Citigroup and Wachovia Securities.

Lindsay holds a BA in International Commerce from Vanderbilt University. Lindsay is active in the community and is a longtime supporter of cultivating professional opportunities for women. She currently serves as a Senior Advisor to 3P Energy Capital, a woman-founded boutique investment bank and strategic advisory firm. She has also served on the boards of the Women’s Energy Network and its national foundation, the John S. Bradfield Elementary School serving as Treasurer, and was a founding board member and Treasurer for Flight, an organization benefitting Vogel Alcove. She has also served on the advisory boards of several industry groups for private equity nationally.

Lindsay was named to Hart Energy’s Top 25 Influential Women in Energy and was named by the Wall Street Journal as one of the “Women to Watch” in fundraising.

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Eliza Calihan

Principal

Eliza Calihan is a Principal with Braemont Capital. Eliza is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio.

Previously, she was with Reverence Capital Partners and Goldman Sachs.

Eliza currently serves on the board of directors for Loenbro.

Eliza earned her BA in Economics at Harvard College and her MBA, graduating with High Distinction, Baker Scholar, at Harvard Business School.

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Eliza Calihan

Eliza Calihan

Principal

Eliza Calihan is a Principal with Braemont Capital. Eliza is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, she was with Reverence Capital Partners and Goldman Sachs. Eliza earned her BA in Economics at Harvard College and her MBA, graduating with High Distinction, Baker Scholar, at Harvard Business School.

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Max Green

Vice President

Max Green is a Vice President with Braemont Capital. Max is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio.

Previously, he was with UpEquity, RedBird Capital Partners, and Cain Brothers & Company.

Max currently serves on the board of directors for Incline Insurance Group and RedTeam Software.

Max holds a BA in Finance from The University of Texas at Austin.

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Max Green

Max Green

Vice President

Max Green is a Vice President with Braemont Capital. Max is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was with UpEquity, RedBird Capital Partners, and Cain Brothers & Company. Max earned his BA in Finance at The University of Texas.

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Charlie Cory

Senior Associate

Charlie Cory is a Senior Associate with Braemont Capital, where he focuses on identifying and executing new investment opportunities, as well as managing and accelerating growth in the existing portfolio.

Prior to Braemont Capital, Charlie worked with Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) in their US Middle Market group, executing growth and buyout investments, with a focus on family and founder-owned situations. Before ICG, Charlie worked for Harris Williams as a member of their Industrials Group.

Charlie holds a BA in Economics and a BA in United States History from Washington and Lee University.

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Charlie Cory

Charlie Cory

Senior Associate
Charlie Cory is a Senior Associate with Braemont Capital, where he is responsible for sourcing and executing new deals, as well as monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he worked with Intermediate Capital Group (ICG) in their US Middle Market group, executing growth and buyout investments, with a focus on family and founder-owned situations. Before ICG, Charlie worked for Harris Williams in Richmond, VA as a member of their Industrials Group. Charlie holds a dual degree (BA) in Economics and United States History from Washington and Lee University.
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Ben Eckholm

Senior Associate
Ben Eckholm is a Senior Associate with Braemont Capital. Ben is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was with White Deer Energy, Piper Sandler, and Wells Fargo Securities. Ben earned his BBA degree in Accounting, graduating summa cum laude at Texas A&M University, and his Master’s in Financial Management at Texas A&M University.
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Ben Eckholm

Ben Eckholm

Senior Associate

Ben Eckholm is a Senior Associate with Braemont Capital. Ben is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was with White Deer Energy, Piper Sandler, and Wells Fargo Securities. Ben earned his BBA degree in Accounting, graduating summa cum laude at Texas A&M University, and his Master’s in Financial Management at Texas A&M University.

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Baron Holmes

Associate
Baron Holmes is an Associate with Braemont Capital. Baron is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs. Baron earned his BBA degree in Finance at The University of Texas at Austin.
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Baron Holmes Headshot

Baron Holmes

Associate
Baron Holmes is an Associate with Braemont Capital. Baron is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs. Baron earned his BBA degree in Finance at The University of Texas at Austin.
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Matthew Shafer

Associate
Matthew Shafer is an Associate with Braemont Capital. Matthew is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Solomon Partners. Mathew earned his BBA degree in Finance and Accounting at The University of Michigan.
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Matthew Shafer

Matthew Shafer

Associate
Matthew Shafer is an Associate with Braemont Capital. Matthew is responsible for finding and executing new deals and monitoring and growing the portfolio. Previously, he was an Investment Banking Analyst at Solomon Partners. Mathew earned his BBA degree in Finance and Accounting at The University of Michigan.
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Herb May

Partner

Herb May is a Partner at Braemont Capital, overseeing the Entrepreneur and Family Office (EFO) Network, where he expands and strengthens our network to support all aspects of the investment process. Herb has over 35 years of financial industry experience across the broader capital markets.

Prior to Braemont Capital, Herb was a Partner at DH Capital, where he focused on business development, private placements, and sponsor coverage. Herb was responsible for DH’s sale of Vantage Data Centers to Digital Bridge for $1.6 billion.

Before joining DH Capital, Herb headed Equity Capital Markets at Signal Hill Capital, a firm he helped found in 2006. Herb began his career in 1987 at Alex Brown & Sons in Equity Capital Markets and remained through 2002 as Head of North America Equity Syndicate with Alex Brown’s successor firm, Deutsche Bank.

Herb holds a BA from the University of Virginia and is a Trustee Emeritus at the Salisbury School. He recently served as Vice Chairman of the One Love Foundation, a national organization whose mission is to end relationship abuse by educating young people about healthy and unhealthy relationships.

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Herb May

Herb May

Partner

Herb May is a Partner with Braemont Capital. Herb is responsible for developing and maintaining Braemont’s EFO Network through idea generation and coinvest opportunities as well as sourcing new investment opportunities. Previously, he was with DH Capital, Signal Hill Capital, Wachovia Securities, Deutsche Bank, and Alex. Brown & Sons. Herb earned his BA degree in History at the University of Virginia.

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Caroline Stevens

Associate

Caroline Stevens is an Associate with Braemont Capital. Caroline is responsible for developing, maintaining, and growing Braemont’s EFO Network. Previously, Caroline was a Private Bank Analyst at J.P. Morgan. Caroline earned her BS in Commerce and French at The University of Virginia, graduating with distinction as an Echols Scholar.

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Caroline Stevens

Caroline Stevens

Associate

Caroline Stevens is an Associate with Braemont Capital. Caroline is responsible for developing, maintaining, and growing Braemont’s EFO Network. Previously, Caroline was a Private Bank Analyst at J.P. Morgan. Caroline earned her BS in Commerce and French at The University of Virginia, graduating with distinction as an Echols Scholar.

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Steve Sims, CFA

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer

Steve Sims is the COO and CCO of Braemont Capital, where he leads all finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, and compliance activities.

Prior to joining Braemont Capital, Steve was a Vice President at New Republic Partners, where he assisted with operations, direct deal diligence, client advice, and portfolio construction. He was also an Investment Specialist at J.P. Morgan, where he provided investment advice and solutions to wealthy families, institutions, foundations, and endowments.

Previously, Steve was a Private Equity Associate at The Stephens Group and an Investment Banking Analyst at Harris Williams in the Energy, Power & Infrastructure Group.

Steve holds an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, with a dual concentration in Investment and Corporate Finance, and a BA in Economics from Princeton University. Steve is also a CFA Charterholder. He serves on the board of WARD’s Foundation to advance rare disease support and research as well as the Professional Advisory Council of the Atrium Health Foundation.

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Steve Sims

Steve Sims, CFA

Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer

Steve Sims is the COO and CCO of Braemont Capital. Steve is responsible for all financial, human resources, and compliance activities. Previously, he was with New Republic Partners, J.P. Morgan, The Stephens Group, and Harris Williams & Co. Steve earned his BA degree in Economics at Princeton University and his MBA at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

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Carolyne Baber, CPA

Controller

Carolyne serves as the Controller of Braemont Capital and is responsible for all financial accounting and tax reporting functions.

Previously, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as a Senior Tax Manager in the Private Company Services practice.

Carolyne holds a MACC from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a BS in Finance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

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Carolyne Baber

Carolyne Baber, CPA

Controller

Carolyne serves as the Controller of Braemont Capital and is responsible for all financial accounting and tax reporting functions. Previously, she worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as a Senior Tax Manager in the Private Company Services practice. Carolyne earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Finance at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Master in Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

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Tom McMillin

Operating Partner
Tom McMillin is an Operating Partner with Braemont Capital. Tom brings over 30 years of operating and board member experience in the technology, media, and communications industries. He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of Nevis Advisors. Previously, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Cequel III and its portfolio company TierPoint. Prior to TierPoint, Tom served as an executive for a diverse group of communications companies, including Suddenlink (EVP, COO), First Broadcasting (CFO), Clearwire Technologies, Inc. (CFO), AMFM, Inc. (CFO), Marcus Cable (CFO), and Novo Networks, Inc (COO).

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Loenbro, Road Safety Services, Service Express, Inc., Keeley Companies (Board of Advisors), Wyyerd Fiber, Cultivation Capital Tech Fund III and IV (Investment Committee Advisory Board), and is a member of the Board of Governors and Finance Committee for the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. Tom earned his BS in Accountancy from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
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Tom McMillin

Tom McMillin

Operating Partner
Tom McMillin is an Operating Partner with Braemont Capital. Tom brings over 30 years of operating and board member experience in the technology, media, and communications industries. He is currently the Founder and Managing Partner of Nevis Advisors. Previously, he was the President and Chief Operating Officer of Cequel III and its portfolio company TierPoint. Prior to TierPoint, Tom served as an executive for a diverse group of communications companies, including Suddenlink (EVP, COO), First Broadcasting (CFO), Clearwire Technologies, Inc. (CFO), AMFM, Inc. (CFO), Marcus Cable (CFO), and Novo Networks, Inc (COO).

He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Loenbro, Road Safety Services, Service Express, Inc., Keeley Companies (Board of Advisors), Wyyerd Fiber, Cultivation Capital Tech Fund III and IV (Investment Committee Advisory Board), and is a member of the Board of Governors and Finance Committee for the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation. Tom earned his BS in Accountancy from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
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Clyde Tuggle

Operating Partner

Clyde Tuggle is an Operating Partner with Braemont Capital. Clyde brings over 30 years of operating and management experience from The Coca-Cola Company, where he was a Senior Vice President and member of the Executive Committee. He is currently a Co-Founder and Partner at Pine Island Capital Partners. Previously, Clyde held several senior management roles at The Coca-Cola Company and was most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. In this role, he managed Coca-Cola’s global public affairs and reported directly to the Chairman and CEO. He was also President of the Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus Division, Deputy Division President of Central Europe, and Chief of Staff to former CEO Roberto C. Goizueta.

He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors at the Georgia Power Company and Oxford Industries, Inc. Clyde received his B.A. from Hamilton College and M.Div. from Yale University. He also studied at the Ludwig-Maximillian Universität in Munich, Germany and the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School.

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Clyde Tuggle Headshot

Clyde Tuggle

Operating Partner

Clyde Tuggle is an Operating Partner with Braemont Capital. Clyde brings over 30 years of operating and management experience from The Coca-Cola Company, where he was a Senior Vice President and member of the Executive Committee. He is currently a Co-Founder and Partner at Pine Island Capital Partners. Previously, Clyde held several senior management roles at The Coca-Cola Company and was most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer. In this role, he managed Coca-Cola’s global public affairs and reported directly to the Chairman and CEO. He was also President of the Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus Division, Deputy Division President of Central Europe, and Chief of Staff to former CEO Roberto C. Goizueta.

He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors at the Georgia Power Company and Oxford Industries, Inc. Clyde received his B.A. from Hamilton College and M.Div. from Yale University. He also studied at the Ludwig-Maximillian Universität in Munich, Germany and the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School.

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