Private Capital and Strategic Resources for Growth
Striker Team
Richard A. Graham Mr. Graham is a Managing Principal and the founder of Striker Partners, with primary responsibility for transaction sourcing and strategic evaluation of Striker’s investment targets. He plays the lead role in coordinating Striker’s relationships with its portfolio companies and the Graham Group, with a specific focus on maximizing synergies across the Striker portfolio. Prior to Striker, Mr. Graham gained significant entrepreneurial experience in the sports industry. In 1994, he co-founded BSC, an international sports marketing event promotion company, which created and developed a televised series of global sporting events. In October of 1998, Mr. Graham sold his controlling interest in BSC and founded Striker. Prior to BSC, Mr. Graham worked for Viking Graham, a privately held investment affiliate of the Graham Group, sourcing transactions and evaluating investment opportunities primarily within the packaging and general manufacturing industries. Mr. Graham serves as a current or former Director of LaserGrade, LP, Nurture, Inc, and Touchstone Wireless, LP. Mr. Graham also sits on the board of Starfinder Foundation, Burke Mountain Academy, and Camp Tecumseh. Mr. Graham earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, and resides in suburban Philadelphia with his wife, two sons, and daughter.
Derek R. Spence Mr. Spence joined Striker Partners as a Managing Principal in July of 1999, and has primary responsibility for sourcing, structuring, negotiating and closing transactions, as well as evaluating operating performance, coordinating financial and legal due diligence, and reviewing transaction agreements for Striker’s investments. Mr. Spence spends much of his time working directly with portfolio company management teams to better position the businesses for long-term growth. Prior to joining Striker, Mr. Spence worked directly for the Office of the Chief Executive at Deloitte & Touche (“D&T”) in New York, analyzing and executing principal investment opportunities for the firm on a global basis. While at D&T, he played a key role in structuring, negotiating, and closing numerous transactions in various countries. Mr. Spence has significant financial, operational, and strategic business experience within the life sciences, manufacturing and professional services industries. Prior to business school, Mr. Spence was the National Coordinator of the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Industry Group at Deloitte Consulting in Boston. He has authored white papers detailing the economic and operational effects of minimally invasive surgery and workflow consolidation on U.S. hospitals and European health care systems, and has been invited to speak at BIO, IBEX, and CLMA. Mr. Spence earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bowdoin College and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Spence is a current or former Director of LaserGrade, LP, Nurture, Inc., Larex, Inc. and Touchstone Wireless, LP, and is a member of the Board of Overseers of The South Shore Conservatory in Hingham, MA. He resides in suburban Boston with his wife and three sons.
Robert W. Driscoll, Jr. Mr. Driscoll joined Striker Partners as a Managing Principal in January of 2002, and has primary responsibility for sourcing, structuring, negotiating and closing transactions, as well as evaluating operating performance, coordinating financial and legal due diligence, and reviewing transaction agreements for Striker’s investments. Prior to joining Striker, Mr. Driscoll ran Mellon Ventures’ Philadelphia office. Before Mellon Ventures, Mr. Driscoll was President & CEO of Star Anchors & Fasteners, where he directed its successful turnaround in bankruptcy. Prior to Star, he was a Principal at DSP, a private equity group focused on leverage buyouts of firms emerging from bankruptcy. Prior to DSP, Mr. Driscoll was with the Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group where he focused on strategic and implementation issues, and operational turnarounds for troubled companies. Before business school, he completed the First National Bank of Boston’s credit training program and worked in the Restructuring Division. Mr. Driscoll also worked in the firm’s High Technology Division where he structured and serviced loans to companies in a variety of technology industries. Mr. Driscoll has been a Guest Lecturer for the Finance Department at the Wharton School, and he is the former treasurer and a current board member of the Philadelphia Association for Corporate Growth (ACG). Mr. Driscoll is a current or former Director of Touchstone Wireless, LaserGrade, LP, AimNet Solutions, Burlington Motor Carriers, Business Express Airlines, InterLine Brands, New Orchids Paper Products, Quality Veneer & Lumber, Inc., RealWinWin, Inc., and Tekni-Plex, Inc. Mr. Driscoll earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Vermont and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in suburban Philadelphia with his wife, son and daughter.
Charles J. French Mr. French, a Principal at Striker Partners, joined the firm in May of 2002. He has responsibility for sourcing, evaluating, and executing transactions, and is also actively involved in Striker’s efforts to provide strategic guidance and assistance to its portfolio companies. Prior to joining Striker, Mr. French was Director of Finance and Operations for the software provider SoftCoin, Inc., where he managed the company's financial strategy and corporate development efforts. Mr. French also worked for several years in the investment banking groups of Alex. Brown & Sons and Deutsche Bank AG, in both the U.S. and Europe. As an investment banker, he helped structure and execute equity and fixed income financings, as well as mergers and acquisitions for clients in the U.S. and European transportation, aerospace and defense industries. Mr. French earned his Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude from Dartmouth College and his M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He resides with his wife and son in suburban Philadelphia.
Gregory W. Okupniarek Mr. Okupniarek has been with Striker Partners since its inception in 1998. As the CFO, Mr. Okupniarek has primary responsibility for overseeing the accounting, finance and tax functions for Striker and its portfolio companies. Mr. Okupniarek provides support in sourcing, evaluating and executing transactions. Prior to joining Striker, Mr. Okupniarek was the Controller of Beach Soccer Company, an international sports marketing and event-promotion company, which created and developed a televised series of global soccer events. In this capacity, Mr. Okupniarek managed the accounting, finance and tax functions, and assisted in developing the company’s financial strategy. Mr. Okupniarek earned his Bachelor of Science degree from West Chester University and his M.B.A from The Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph’s University. He and his wife reside in suburban Philadelphia.