Star Mountain Capital has continued its hiring spree with the appointment of former Merrill Lynch alternatives specialist James Camarda (pictured) as managing director.
He brings two decades of expertise in the alternative investment sector. During his time at Merrill Lynch, now part of Bank of America, he held the role of director and divisional alternative investment specialist, where he led a team of four specialists, managed a seven-state territory and engaged with over a thousand financial advisers.
Camarda will be based in Star Mountain’s Tampa, Florida office.
“James has had an impressive 20 year career in alternative investments at Merrill Lynch, one of the world’s largest investment management firms,” said Brett Hickey, Star Mountain’s founder and chief executive. “James will play a pivotal and multifaceted role, including forming and managing strategic partnerships with wealth management platforms and other investors.”
Star Mountain has over $4bn (£3bn) of alternative assets under management, focusing on the US lower mid-market.
“Having gotten to know Star Mountain’s leadership team and impressive client base, I was intrigued by how large and fragmented the lower middle-market is, making up nearly 50 per cent of the US economy. With M&A activity expected to increase among small and medium-sized businesses due to aging demographics, I see a unique opportunity for investors,” said Camarda. “Star Mountain’s distinctive origination, underwriting and portfolio value-add platform positions us well to capitalize on these opportunities, providing exposure to a market segment many portfolios lack.”
Star Mountain has been expanding its team. Earlier this month, it named Curtis Glovier, a former managing director and investment committee member at Fortress Investment Group, as managing director and strategic portfolio officer.
It also recently appointed asset management veteran Scott Couto and pensions expert Charles Millard as senior advisers.