Sean joined Spire Capital as a Principal at the time of its formation in 2000. At Spire, Sean focuses on sourcing and leading transactions, developing industry and executive relationships, as well as investor relations. Sean spends significant time in the business services, information services, software and media sectors.
Prior to joining Spire Capital, Sean served as a Vice President at a growth stage focused private equity firm, Waller-Sutton Media Partners. He was previously at Waller Capital Corporation, providing merger and acquisition advisory services to the media and communications industries. Prior to Waller Capital, Sean spent three years in Arthur Andersen’s Valuation Services Consulting Group focusing on media and communications assignments.
He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Binghamton University and a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University. Sean also received his Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”) designation in 1996.
Sean is currently on the board of Trax Technologies and PenLink. He formerly served as a Director of AssetNation, Inc. Carpathia Hosting, Inc., Highline Media LLC, iNNERHOST, Inc., Lighthouse Global, PBR, Inc, SkyMall, Inc. and Velocity Technology Solutions, Inc.
Outside of work, Sean enjoys exercising, fishing, coaching junior basketball and spending time with his family, including his four young boys.
Rupali joined Spire Capital in 2015 and is responsible for sourcing, executing, and managing new investments and overseeing portfolio company investments in the education, technology, and business services sectors.
Rupali is a Board Director of O2B Kids and Dynamic Quest. She previously served as a Board Director of Advocate Networks and a Board Observer at Lighthouse, Surgent and PAN.
Prior to joining Spire, Rupali served as an Analyst in the Technology, Media and Communications Investment Banking Group at Citigroup. While at Citigroup, Rupali was responsible for valuation and financial analyses supporting M&A transactions and debt and equity financings.
Rupali received a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude, from Marquette University, where she majored in accounting and finance, and is pursuing her MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Outside of work, Rupali enjoys traveling, running and reading biographies. She is a passionate Manchester United fan and a Wisconsin sports fan, which includes the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers and Marquette Golden Eagles, while also being a shareholder of the Packers.
Don joined Spire Capital in 2006 as the Chief Financial Officer/Chief Compliance Officer. Don is responsible for the firm’s fund administration, investor relations, compliance and works closely with each of the portfolio companies’ financial and accounting teams. Don also manages the accounting due diligence at Spire for prospective investments.
Prior to joining Spire, Don was the Chief Financial Officer at Iron Oak Development, a mid-Atlantic real estate investment firm, with responsibilities including planning, developing and implementing all financial controls and reports in connection with the investment entities. Prior to Iron Oak, Don spent eight years as CFO/COO of Specialty Brands, a private-equity backed consumer company. Additionally, Don spent fifteen years as Regional Controller at Wawa Food Markets in both operational and financial roles.
He graduated from Widener University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Don juggles life with kids who play high school varsity lacrosse, field hockey, basketball and soccer. Don is a 4-4 fan on the Philadelphia sports scene and loves vacationing with his family at the Jersey shore.
David joined Spire Capital in 2001 as an Associate and was named a Partner in 2012. At Spire, David focuses on sourcing and leading transactions in the education, technology/software services and media/entertainment sectors. Prior to joining Spire, David served as an Analyst in the Financial Sponsors Group at Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. While at Bear, Stearns & Co, David focused on M&A advisory and capital markets’ activity as part of the portfolio coverage teams for private equity firms with investments in technology, communications and media.
David received a BS in Business from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and majored in Finance with a minor in Economics.
David is a Director of O2B Kids and Dynamic Quest. He previously served as a Director of Rainbow Early Education Holdings, Just Marketing International, Professional Bull Riders, Lighthouse Global, Surgent Professional Education and Ariston Global.