Phillip T. Dixon, Co-Founder & President. Mr. Dixon is a proven leader with over 35 years of experience in corporate finance and special situation investments. His background includes significant experience with complex restructurings and turnarounds. Prior to the founding of Treadstone, he was an Executive Vice President of NationsBank Corporation, a Bank of America predecessor, and led its Special Asset Bank, an organization of nearly 1,000 people responsible for more than $10 billion of distressed assets. Mr. Dixon is a graduate of Auburn University and earned his MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.
Gary P. Thomason, Co-Founder & Principal. Mr. Thomason has responsibility for Treadstone’s due diligence and underwriting activities. He serves as the firm’s Chief Investment Officer and coordinates portfolio management. His experience includes all aspects of the acquisition, growth and disposition of businesses. Mr. Thomason is an engineer by training and has direct operations experience. Additionally, he served over 10 years as a senior officer with NationsBank and Amresco, both Bank of America predecessor organizations. Mr. Thomason is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines and received his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh.
Charlotte T. Hickey, Principal & Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Hickey joined the firm only weeks after its formation and is responsible for accounting, administration and investor reporting. Prior to joining Treadstone, she was associated for many years with NationsBank, a Bank of America predecessor, and, earlier, First Boston Corporation, a Credit Suisse Group predecessor. Her experience includes corporate finance, oversight of venture capital portfolios and sales of distressed loan packages. In connection with her venture capital duties, she served as a director of several portfolio companies. Ms. Hickey is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.
Stephen C. Massanelli, Principal. With a comprehensive corporate finance and restructuring background, Mr. Massanelli is involved in all aspects of Treadstone’s operations and has a particular focus on funding strategy and investor relations. Mr. Massanelli was most recently Senior Vice President and Treasurer of Zale Corporation (NYSE: ZLC) where he co-led a successful capital restructuring for the company. At various times during his Zale tenure, he was responsible for treasury/finance, real estate, lT, credit, credit insurance and risk management functions. His earlier experience includes a variety of positions with NationsBank and Amresco, both Bank of America predecessors, where among his responsibilities was the management of distressed corporate debt portfolios. Mr. Massanelli is a graduate of the University of Arkansas.
Brian F. Kowalchyk, Principal. Mr. Kowalchyk has a significant background in event-driven, special situation investments in lower-to-middle market companies. His primary responsibilities are directed towards the sourcing and analyzing of prospective investments. His activities also include direct management oversight of companies where Treadstone has an investment. Before joining Treadstone, he was a Partner and Portfolio Manager with Patara Capital, a Dallas-based hedge fund focused on small-cap equities. Earlier in his career, he served as a Senior Analyst with Southwest Securities where he specialized in middle market equity valuations. Mr. Kowalchyk is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a cum laude graduate of the University of North Texas.
Bruce F. Harris, Senior Director. Mr. Harris has responsibility for the evaluation and structuring of real estate investment opportunities for the firm. His responsibilities include coordinating the firm’s real estate advisory efforts. Mr. Harris is a licensed real estate broker and, prior to joining Treadstone in 1994, was associated with J.E. Robert Companies and MBank Dallas, a JP Morgan Chase predecessor. Mr. Harris is a graduate of Southern Methodist University and earned his MBA from The University of Texas at Austin.
John P. Collins, Senior Operations Advisor. Mr. Collins has an extensive background in the management and control of operations. His experience includes senior executive leadership positions in both large and mid-sized manufacturing companies, domestic and international, such as Summit Manufacturing and Alumax Asia Pacific, an Alcoa predecessor. Treadstone has drawn on Mr. Collins’ problem solving advice for more than a decade. He is a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and has an MBA from Georgia State University.
Matthew K. Hawkins, Senior Advisor. Mr. Hawkins joined the Firm in 2008 and is actively involved with deal origination and portfolio company analysis. His background includes both turnaround management and private equity. Prior to his affiliation with Treadstone, Mr. Hawkins managed select investments and individual company operations for EFO Holdings, a Dallas-based family investment office and had an earlier association with Hull & Associates, a regional turnaround management firm. Mr. Hawkins is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin.