Norwest Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on middle market company investments, it has expanded its group of operating partners with the addition of Jim Lindner.
Norwest Equity Partners, a private equity firm focused on middle market company investments, it has expanded its group of operating partners with the addition of Jim Lindner.
Lindner will help NEP evaluate and execute new investment opportunities and add-on acquisitions within the technology and business services industry sectors.
He will also play an active role in strategic planning, business growth and corporate governance for NEP portfolio companies.
Timothy DeVries (pictured), NEP managing general partner, says: ‘Providing value-add experience and operating partner resources to our portfolio companies are integral parts of our overall investment strategy. As a seasoned executive, Jim’s experience and broad industry knowledge will help us attract great investment opportunities and drive strong investment results.’
With more than 40 years of expertise in the computer software technology and services industry, Lindner brings 25 years of chief executive or chief operating officer leadership experience to NEP. He currently serves as chairman at one of NEP’s portfolio companies, Mitchell International, a San Diego-based provider of information services, software and eBusiness solutions for the automotive and workers’ compensation insurance claims processing industry.
Prior to Mitchell, Lindner served as president and chief executive of Attachmate; president of the networks group at Memorex Telex; and as chairman and chief executive of ISC-Bunker Ramo. Lindner began his career with IBM, where he spent 15 years in a variety of sales, marketing and general management positions.
In addition to his current experience working with the NEP team at Mitchell, Lindner has served on several company boards over the years with fellow NEP 11-year veteran operating partner, John Hale. Like Lindner, Hale’s experience is technology-based but with a focus on computer hardware and high-tech manufacturing. He currently serves as chairman at CVI Melles Griot and is on the board at PeopleNet, both of which are NEP portfolio companies.
Lindner and Hale will also work closely with Jeffrey Greiner, a senior adviser at NEP who focuses on investments in the technology and business services sector.
‘I’m excited to formalize my commitment to NEP by coming on board as an operating partner. The firm has established a terrific track record over the years, and I am honored to have the opportunity to be a part of their team,’ says Lindner. ‘I am also confident that our combined resources, including the years of industry networking and experience from both John Hale and Jeff Greiner, can be leveraged to find growing and profitable companies to add to our portfolio."
