M/C Partners Completes Acquisition of West Monroe Partners’ Managed Services Division

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Establishes Midwest based IT Managed Services Platform

January 07, 2020 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–M/C Partners, a Boston-based Communications and IT Services focused private equity firm, announced today that it signed an agreement to acquire the Managed Services division of West Monroe Partners, a national business and technology consultancy. The acquisition closed on Dec. 30, 2019. Wayne Kiphart has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible for driving the company’s growth and long-term returns for stakeholders.

“I am excited to join the talented team at West Monroe Managed Services and to lead the company in this next chapter of growth,” said Kiphart. “Our focus will continue to be on driving the highest satisfaction for our customers – some of whom have been customers for over 10 years – through additional investments in service delivery and IT capabilities. Over the next few months, I will spend considerable time with our customers to better understand their needs so that we can continue to deliver services that help them be successful. We also plan to launch a new brand, including a company name. It’s an exciting time for both myself and for our employees, who will now have a greater ability to impact the future of this organization.”

“West Monroe Managed Services represents an exceptional technology services platform,” said Gillis Cashman, Managing Partner at M/C Partners. “As a standalone, well-capitalized company with a highly experienced leadership team and passionate, talented employees, we feel the business will be in a stronger position to address the existing and future needs of its customers.”

Abhishek Rampuria, Vice President at M/C Partners, added, “West Monroe Managed Services has built a differentiated application management expertise that is highly valued by its customers. We are excited to begin this partnership and to provide the financial and operational resources to facilitate future growth and continued success.”

Wayne Kiphart joins West Monroe Managed Services from Gratia, a cybersecurity-focused MSP. Wayne was previously President of OnX Managed Services and Vice President of Managed Services at Logicalis. He brings nearly 20 years of experience across a range of functional areas including sales, operations, and client services, as well as knowledge in various vertical industries.

As West Monroe Managed Services’ primary financial investor, M/C Partners will contribute its extensive experience in the technology and communications services markets. M/C has been a leading investor in this sector for more than two decades, having previously invested in Thrive Networks, Involta, Ensono, Fusepoint, Attenda, Denovo, Carbon60 and others. Legal counsel for M/C Partners was provided by Choate, Hall & Stewart LLP.

About West Monroe Managed Services, LLC

West Monroe Managed Services is a Chicago-based IT managed services provider offering technology solutions to small and medium-sized businesses across the Midwest. The Managed Services division was started within West Monroe Partners in 2009 by Mark Nelson in order to provide help desk support and infrastructure management solutions for West Monroe’s growing list of clients and their increasingly complex IT environments. Over the last ten years, the Company has expanded its service offering to include cybersecurity and managed application services. West Monroe Managed Services primarily serves small and mid-size businesses and has 50+ customers across a variety of industries who are served by a team of ~100 employees. For more information, visit WMP.com/WMMS.

About M/C Partners

Based in Boston, M/C Partners is a private equity firm focused exclusively on the communications, information technology services and media sectors. The firm has invested over $2.2 billion of capital into over 130 companies, generally investing in companies with enterprise values of $25 million to $250 million. Related current and prior investments include Cavalier Telephone, Carbon60, Ensono, Everstream, Fusepoint, Denovo, ICG Communications, Involta, Lightower, Neutral Connect Networks, NuVox, Thrive Networks and Zayo Group. The firm has strong institutional backing from the nation’s leading pension funds and endowments as well as a long track record of success. For more information, visit www.mcpartners.com.

Contacts
Mark Nelson
(312) 980-9466
mnelson@wmp.com

View source version here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200107005142/en/MC-Partners-Completes-Acquisition-West-Monroe-Partners%E2%80%99

Zack Halpryn

Zack Halpryn is an Associate at M|C Partners, where he focuses on investment opportunities in the digital infrastructure and technology services sectors. Prior to joining MC, Zack worked at HarbourVest Partners, where he was focused on buyout and growth equity investments. Previously he worked at Performance Equity Management and Credit Suisse. Zack received a B.B.A in Finance (summa cum laude) from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. He currently lives in Boston’s West End and in his spare time enjoys playing sports (volleyball, basketball, golf), reading and watching the Celtics.

Joined

2023

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

AccessParks
Ascend Technologies
Carbon60
Denovo
TowerCom

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS

celito

Established in 1999 and based in Raleigh, is a trusted, local communications and managed services provider to businesses leveraging its fully owned fiber network. celito creates technology solutions for businesses across all sectors both large and small. From supplying high-speed Internet service, to providing quality VoIP telecom service, to setting up your office network, they offer turnkey solutions from the desktop to the cloud

 

TEAM MEMBERS

SECTOR

Jason P. Stutman

Jason Stutman is a Senior Fund Accountant at M/C Partners, responsible for the cash management of co-investment vehicles, preparing quarterly financial statements, and communication with Limited Partners. Prior to joining the firm in 2023, Jason worked in the Portfolio Analytics Group at HarbourVest Partners. He earned a BSBA with honors in Finance with a minor in Computer Information Science from The Ohio State University. Jason lives in South Boston and enjoys cheering on Boston sports teams, playing hockey and golf and traveling.

Joined

2023

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS

Cuba Burch Berner

Cuba Burch Berner is an Associate at M|C Partners, where he focuses on investment opportunities in digital infrastructure and technology services. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Cuba was an Equity Research Associate at Citi covering infrastructure companies within the telecommunications industry, including data centers and wireless towers. He holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a specialization in Economics from the University of Chicago. Cuba currently lives in Boston’s West End and enjoys  a myriad of outdoor activities including running, swimming, hiking, and skiing.

Joined

2022

Contact

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

Ascend Technologies
Consortium Networks
C3 Integrated Solutions
SoniqWave

 

AccentHealth

AccentHealth operates an out-of-home advertising network that reaches over 12,000 physician office waiting areas in the U.S. – JOHN WATKINS

TEAM MEMBERS

SECTOR

IT SERVICES

James F. Wade

Jim Wade co-founded M/C Partners in 1986 with Dave Croll. He has been investing in communications and technology services since the advent of wireless and broadband, cornerstones of the firm’s sector focus. As Chairman, he manages the firm’s investment process, and continuously seeks out management teams, company prospects and financial resources to grow the portfolio. Jim’s successful track record includes MetroPCS (IPO), Lightower Holdings (acquired by Berkshire Partners), Cavalier Telephone (acquired by PAETEC), NuVox Communications (acquired by WindStream), Attenda (acquired by Darwin Private Equity), Melita (acquired by Apax Partners), PR Wireless (joint venture with Sprint affiliate in Puerto Rico), Thrive Networks (acquired/recapitalized by Court Square) and Involta (acquired by Carlyle Group). Today he serves as a director on the Board of Connectivity Wireless and has responsibility for Omega Wireless. Jim graduated from the University of Notre Dame a B.B.A in Finance and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. He lives outside Boston with his wife and four children. Jim was an avid boater and is now an average golfer.

JOINED

1986

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS
Connectivity Wireless

 

Abhishek Rampuria

Abhishek (A.B.) is a Partner at M/C Partners, where he leads origination, deal diligence and portfolio company support for investments in a variety of communications and technology services segments. He currently serves on the Board of Ascend Technologies, Connectivity Wireless, Edafio Technology Partners, TowerCom and serves as a Board Observer for Thrive Networks. A.B. previously served as a Board Observer for Ensono (acquired by KKR) and QOS Networks (acquired by Zayo). Prior to joining M/C Partners in 2015, A.B. worked at Altman Solon (formerly Altman Vilandrie), a technology, media & telecommunications focused strategy consulting firm, where he completed projects for both operating companies and private equity investors. A.B. received a B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He lives in Boston’s South End and outside of work, enjoys skiing, cycling, traveling and cheering on his home-town Patriots and Celtics.

Joined

2015

AFFILIATED PORTFOLIO

Thrive Networks

Contact

BOARD POSITIONS

Ascend Technologies
Connectivity Wireless
Edafio Technology Partners
TowerCom