Pharos Capital Group, a physician-founded healthcare private equity firm based in Dallas and Nashville, has promoted Anna Kovalkova to Partner, effective immediately. Kovalkova is based in the firm’s Nashville office and was most recently a Principal.
Concurrently, the firm promoted three Senior Financial Analysts to Associates. They are Lauren Gurley and Kevin Ryan, based in Nashville, and Jim Kerrigan in Dallas.
Kovalkova is responsible for leading the evaluation, due diligence and execution of investments as well as for overseeing portfolio companies. She currently serves on the boards of Back Yard Burgers, Beacon Specialized Living Services, Sona Dermatology & Medspa, Seaside Healthcare, and TotalTrax. She has a BBA in Finance from Belmont University and previously studied International Economic Relations at Finance Academy under the Government of the Russian Federation in Moscow, Russia.
The Associates are responsible for evaluating and executing investment opportunities, performing transaction due diligence, and working with management teams to implement operational and growth strategies. Gurley currently works with the firm’s investments in Beacon Specialised Living Services, Employee Benefit Solutions and Back Yard Burgers. Before joining Pharos, she was an Investment Banking Analyst at MHT Partners in Dallas. She holds a BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University.
Kerrigan works with the firm’s investments in Sona Dermatology & Medspa, Egenera, FasPsych, and MOTION Physical Therapy. Prior to joining Pharos, he spent two years as an Investment Banking Analyst at Barclays in New York. He holds a BA in Accounting, Finance, Banking & Investment Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Ryan works with the firm’s investments in Alereon, Reel FX and Seaside Healthcare. Before coming to Pharos, he worked as an Investment Banking Analyst for Stephens Inc. in Little Rock. He has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee.
Kneeland Youngblood, Founding Partner of Pharos, says: “Anna has been an integral part of Pharos for years and we are pleased to recognize her many contributions to the firm and our companies over that time. We strive to provide a career path for the people at our firm and it is tremendously gratifying that someone of Anna’s obvious talent has chosen to remain committed to the firm and grow with us.”
Founding Partner Bob Crants, adds: “We are also thrilled to promote some of our newer recruits. Lauren, Jim and Kevin have all proven themselves valuable members of the team over the past year and we look forward to their continued contributions to our success.”
