PROMUS EQUITY

Strategic Partnership. Flexible Approach. Your Lower-Middle Market Private Equity Partner.

DIRECT INVESTMENTS CRITERIA

We help companies accelerate growth, execute value-adding initiatives and complete add-on acquisitions.

Company Attributes

Every company has strengths and weaknesses. Promus seeks these attributes:

  • Premium margins
  • Multiple avenues for growth
  • Sustainable market position
  • Excellent management
  • Customer and supplier diversity
  • Industry momentum

Industry Preference

We invest across many industries but have particular strength in the following:

  • Enthusiast products
  • Consumer products
  • Food and beverage manufacturing
  • Personal care and safety products
  • Other opportunistic industries
  • Proprietary industrial products

Transaction Types

Our flexible mandate allows each opportunity to guide our structure and pursue:

  • Majority, minority and shared-control equity buyouts
  • Recapitalizations
  • Growth equity for established businesses
  • Strategic add-on acquisitions

$10M+

Revenue Size

$3M-$10M+

EBITDA Size

$10M-$40M

Equity Check

COMPETITIVE EDGE

Company Attributes

We provide majority equity, minority equity, and longer-term capital, as opposed to the traditional model who only offer medium-term control capital.

EXPERIENCE

It’s rare to find a private equity team in which four partners have more than 100 years of combined experience investing in lower middle-market companies.

FAMILY MODEL

We position ourselves as a group of families looking to purchase other family-owned businesses. This approach resonates well as compared to traditional private equity fund competitors.

What Our Founders & Operators Say

As a multi-family office, we understand the complexities facing founders and generational owners.

Promus approaches every decision with integrity, purpose, and partnership. They took the time to understand not just our business, but our mission—to make the world a safer place. Their support has been unwavering, and their team feels like an extension of ours. With Promus, it’s not just about results—it’s about doing things the right way, together.

Geoffrey Peckham, Found & CEO, Clarion Safety Systems

Promus isn’t just a financial partner—they’re family. From day one, they listened, respected our legacy, and worked with us to grow without losing sight of what makes Caputo special. Their belief in people and partnership is what sets them apart.

Nat Caputo, President, Caputo

“Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome.”

Charlie Munger

OUR DIVERSIFIED PORTFOLIO

We help companies accelerate growth, execute value-adding initiatives and complete add-on acquisitions.

United Ortho
ORGANICS (DBA: CompostUSA and Southeast Soils)
Dover Saddlery
Rifle Paper Co.
Caputo
Better Butter
Anything Possible Brands
Tarrytown Expocare
Whisker
Total Seal
Rasmussen College
PMA
Quest Products
Event Network
Golden Bake
Ellison Bakery
Pure’s Food
Clarion Safety Systems
Kith Kitchens
Wedgewood Pharmacy
ADI American Distributors, Inc.
Katahdin Industries
MetaSource
Engineered Performance Technologies
Associated Steel Group
QCC
LogicMark
ProSteel
Fulcrum IT Services

Learn More About Promus Equity News.

CONTACT US

156 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60661

ph 312.784.3990

    Jack Allen

    Jack Allen joined Promus in 2024 and serves as an associate. He is actively involved in evaluating and executing new investment opportunities for the firm’s private equity strategy, including sourcing, due diligence and deal execution.

    Jack previously served as an investment banking analyst at Brown Gibbons Lang & Company where he executed sell-side M&A transactions for middle-market businesses in the eCommerce and Food & Beverage sectors.

    Jack earned his B.S. in Finance and Information Systems from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He currently lives in Chicago and enjoys running, golfing, cooking, traveling, attending concerts, and completing the NYT games.

    Tess Ens

    Tess Ens joined Promus in 2021 and serves as a senior associate – Promus Access. She assists in the funds-of-private equity funds strategy, Promus Access, which entails portfolio construction, due diligence, execution and managing portfolio investments. Prior to her current role, Tess served as a reporting analyst for Promus Capital.

    Tess earned a B.A. in economics from Hillsdale College. She resides in the Old Town area and enjoys long runs and beach volleyball on the lakeshore. She ran her first marathon in 2021 with one of her five brothers!

    Hannah Song

    Hannah Song joined Promus in 2024 and serves as an associate. She is actively involved in evaluating and executing new investment opportunities for the firm’s private equity strategy, including sourcing, due diligence and deal execution.

    Hannah previously served as an investment banking analyst at Mesirow where she executed sell-side M&A transactions and provided M&A advisory services to middle-market companies across various sectors. Hannah began her career as an associate in KPMG’s Chicago office where she provided financial statement audit services to clients in the asset management industry, including private equity firms and broker-dealer companies, in accordance with U.S. GAAP, AICPA and PCAOB professional standards.

    Hannah earned her B.S. in accountancy from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She lives in downtown Chicago and enjoys practicing yoga, golfing and supporting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

    Taylor Teague

    Taylor Teague joined Promus in 2021 and serves as a principal. He is actively involved in all aspects of the investment process for Promus Equity, the firm’s private equity direct investing strategy. This includes sourcing, due diligence, deal execution and managing and monitoring portfolio companies.

    Prior to Promus, Taylor worked for Morgan Stanley’s Investment Banking division in New York and prior that that, he held various corporate finance roles at GATX Corporation in Chicago.

    Taylor earned his B.S. in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and holds an MBA from The University of Chicago. Taylor lives in Chicago with his wife Katie and their two sons.

    Bridget Downes

    Bridget Valentine joined Promus in 2021 and serves as a senior associate – investor relations. She leads the investor relations efforts for all the Promus strategies, distributing communications and managing the investor process throughout the investment cycle. In addition, she actively maintains the current technology and reporting processes.

    She previously worked in operations at a fund of biotechnology hedge funds in Chicago.

    Bridget earned her B.S. in financial planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She lives in Chicago and enjoys baking, running, and exploring the city.

    Mike Weaver

    Mike Weaver joined Promus in 2015 and serves as a principal. He is actively involved in all aspects of the investment process for Promus Equity, the firm’s private equity direct investing strategy. This includes sourcing, due diligence, deal execution and managing and monitoring portfolio companies.

    Prior to Promus he worked in the asset management group at Ventas, a leading healthcare real estate investment trust.

    Mike earned his B.B.A.’s in finance and economics from the University of Iowa, and is a CFA charterholder. He lives in Chicago with his wife Jen and their son Oliver.

    Anders Rosenquist

    Anders Rosenquist joined Promus in 2010 and serves as a a partner. He is actively involved in all aspects of the investment process for Promus Equity, the firm’s private equity direct investing strategy. This includes sourcing, due diligence, deal execution and managing and monitoring portfolio companies. Anders also serves on the boards of several companies in the strategy’s portfolio.

    Before his current role, Anders was actively involved in many aspects of Promus’ initiatives and operations, including IT and reporting. Prior to Promus Anders worked for KeHE Distributors, where he held roles in finance, marketing, corporate development and merger integration.

    He earned his B.S. in economics and information technology from North Park University. Anders lives in Warrenville, Illinois with his wife Emily and their three children.

    David Code

    David Code joined Promus in 2011 and serves as a partner. He also helps lead the firm’s strategic relationship and marketing groups. David is actively involved in all aspects of the investment process for Promus Equity, the firm’s private equity direct investing strategy. This includes sourcing, due diligence, deal execution and managing and monitoring portfolio companies. He also serves on the boards of several companies in the strategy’s portfolio.

    Prior to Promus he worked as an analyst at the investment bank Lincoln International.

    David earned a B.A. in finance from University of Colorado. David lives in Chicago with his wife Mollie and their two children.

    Adam Code

    Adam Code joined Promus in 2018 and serves as a partner. Adam is actively involved in all aspects of the investment process for Promus Equity, the firm’s private equity direct investing strategy. This includes sourcing, due diligence, deal execution and managing and monitoring portfolio companies. He also serves on the boards of several companies in the strategy’s portfolio.

    Adam brought 13 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Promus he worked for Creation Investments, an impact investment management company dedicated to private equity investments in the financial services industry. Before that he worked as an analyst in the investment banking department at William Blair & Company.

    Adam earned his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He lives in Chicago with his wife Diana and their two children.

    Sarah Wuellner

    Sarah Wuellner joined Promus as a partner in 2010. She serves as a senior leader of the firm’s private equity direct investing strategy, Promus Equity, and portfolio manager for the firm’s fund of private equity funds, Promus Access. In this dual capacity, Sarah is actively involved in all aspects of the firm’s private equity investment strategy, including sourcing, due diligence, portfolio construction, deal execution and overseeing active portfolio companies. In addition to her work at Promus, she is a board member for several of the Promus Equity portfolio companies.

    Sarah brought 13 years of prior experience with mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Promus she was a principal at Wind Point Partners. She has also worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and General Motors.

    Sarah holds a B.F.A. and an M.B.A., both from the University of Michigan. Sarah lives in Wilmette, Illinois with her husband Tom and their three children.

    Steve Brown

    Steve Brown joined Promus in 2012 and serves as a managing partner. He is focused on identifying, underwriting, closing and managing private equity investments. Additionally, Steve serves on the investment committees for Promus Access and Promus Realty. Steve is actively involved in the strategic and operational leadership of the firm. In addition to Steve’s work at Promus, he has served as a board member for numerous companies and nonprofits.

    Steve brought over 21 years of experience to the firm. Prior to Promus he was a partner at CHS Capital, a middle-market private equity firm. While at CHS, he reviewed hundreds of investment opportunities while leading or participating in approximately 40 transactions across a variety of industries. Prior to that Steve worked at Heller Financial.

    Steve holds a B.B.A. in business administration from the University of Michigan and an M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He lives in Golf, Illinois with his wife Carolyn and their three children.

    Andy Code

    Andy Code is a founder and partner of Promus. He is also the chairman. He is focused on identifying and managing private equity investments and serves on the investment committee for Promus Access. He is also very involved with business development for the firm.

    Andy has over 30 years of experience investing and growing over 300 middle-market companies. During his career, Andy has served as a board member and advisor to numerous public and private companies. Prior to founding Promus, Andy was a founder and longtime partner of CHS Capital, a middle-market private equity firm. Before that he was vice president of Citicorp’s Leveraged Capital Group in Chicago.

    Andy holds a B.A. in finance and an M.B.A. from the University of Iowa. He and his wife Susie live in Naples, Florida and enjoy spending time with their two children and grandchildren.

    Amanda Curran

    Amanda Curran joined Promus in 2012 and serves as a principal – private equity. She participates in the funds-of-private equity funds strategy, Promus Access, which entails portfolio construction, due diligence, execution and managing portfolio investments.

    Prior to her current role, Amanda managed investor relations for all of Promus’ strategies and served as a client service associate for the family office. Outside of Amanda’s work at Promus, she is a member of the Metropolitan & Legal Aid Associate Board.

    Amanda holds a B.S. in brain, behavior, and cognitive science from the University of Michigan. She lives in Salt Lake City with her husband Tim and enjoys traveling and hiking with her dog Bryce.

    Sam MacKenzie

    Sam MacKenzie joined Promus in 2020 and serves as a vice president. He is actively involved in evaluating and executing new investment opportunities for the firm’s private equity strategy, including sourcing, due diligence and deal execution.

    Sam previously served as an investment banking analyst at Lincoln International where he executed sell-side and buy-side M&A transactions in the healthcare group.

    Sam earned his B.A. in economics from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Chicago with his wife Chelsea and enjoys exercising, golfing, chess and playing fetch with his dog Willis.

    Landon Pitt

    Landon Pitt joined Promus in 2017 and serves as a vice president – strategic relationships. He manages the fundraising process for Promus’ strategies, ensures timely and accurate release of capital calls and distributions, and oversees all client-facing documentation and reporting related to these strategies. In addition to his role in IR, he also assists the private equity team with certain aspects of the investment process, including new fund sourcing and evaluation, due diligence, deal execution, and value creation analysis for underlying portfolio companies.

    Landon graduated from the University of Missouri with a B.B.A. in finance and real estate. He currently resides in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago and enjoys mountain biking, fishing and exploring new restaurants.