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In Good Company: Michael Smart, WG'88
By Juliana Delany
When Mike Smart returned to Wharton this year as chair of his
class's fifteen-year reunion, he had plenty to feel thankful for.
He is happily married to Jodi Clement Smart and has a two-year-old daughter, Caroline. And, after many successful years
in private equity, he is in the midst of creating his own firm,
Williams Capital Partners.
He's in particularly good company: "Two of my three
partners are Wharton alums, Joli Cooper, WG'88, and Carl
Cordova, WG'89," he says proudly. The partners will focus on
their areas of expertise - consumer products, manufacturing,
and distribution - to build a new kind of private equity firm.
"We will be taking a slightly different approach. Before
looking at the numbers, we will be looking at the company
itself and ask, how can we enhance the operations strategy?"
he explains.
Williams Capital Partners is a spin-off of First Atlantic
Capital, where Smart has worked for the past two years.
Previously, Smart spent nearly a decade at Merrill Lynch, first
in the corporate finance department, specializing in private
equity and leveraged buyouts, and later as managing
director.
Smart's interest in private equity dates back to his pre-Wharton days, when he worked on a number of leveraged
buyouts. His employer at the time felt that an MBA would
take him even further, and Smart agreed that Wharton was
the premier place to earn his degree.
"As a Wharton graduate, I think I'm capable of doing just
about anything if I focus on it and commit myself," he says.
His recognition of the many benefits of his Wharton degree
has led to a high level of involvement as an alumnus,
culminating in chairing the reunion this year.
Smart worked with the Office of Development and Alumni
Affairs to organize his class's fundraising and marketing
efforts. The result was $206,000 in pledges - including a
large pledge from Smart - as well as a great weekend with
former classmates. "I like to lead by example, and by setting
an example for the students who are at Wharton now, we can
ensure that they will do their part in the future," he says.
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