Bio

Erik has over 20 years of transaction experience and is a cofounder of Westward Partners, established in 2010. He leads the firm's portfolio management activities and is active in all aspects of managing the Partnership. Erik serves as a Director on all Westward Portfolio Company boards. Prior to founding Westward, Erik was a Vice President at a Seattle-based private equity firm where he participated in a large number of private equity investments, debt financings, acquisitions and restructurings. While at his previous firm, Erik served on the board of a packing and distribution company in Washington and as an observer on a large industrial services company. Erik has completed over $3 billion in private equity investments, has raised over $500 million in debt and equity for portfolio companies, and has held board memberships on seven private company investments. Previously, he worked in investment banking at Piper Jaffray & Co. and Capital Run LLC where he executed buy- and sell-side mergers and acquisitions, public and private equity financings, restructurings and special advisory assignments for leading middle-market companies. In addition, Erik previously was one of two active managers of Piper Jaffray's late-stage venture investment funds. Erik holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Washington, cum laude.