LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–OpenGate Capital, a global private equity firm, announced that Mr. Damian Blazy has joined the firm as a Principal on the North American operations team. He is responsible for working with the firm’s North American investments and is a contributing member of the firm’s global operations team.
Blazy is a tenured, operations professional with 15 years of experience working in private equity, strategy consulting, and military service. Prior to joining OpenGate, Blazy was Vice President of Portfolio Operations at a New York-based private equity firm where he focused on collaborating with executive teams to establish strategic direction, identify and realize cost synergies, and pursue growth initiatives. Blazy was also a Principal with Oliver Wyman, a management consulting firm, and a Research Affiliate with Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Blazy also served in the United States Navy where he flew FA-18s for eight years and deployed twice in support of “Operation Enduring Freedom.” During his time of service, Blazy was awarded the Strike Fighter Medal for leading 20 combat missions over Afghanistan, and the Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal. Blazy has an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, graduated at the top of his class in Naval Flight Training, and graduated from the University of Maryland with high honors in Physics.
OpenGate Capital’s North American portfolio is led by Managing Director, Paul Bridwell who stated, “Damian is a fantastic addition to our team at a time when we are experiencing tremendous growth. With his experience, insights and knowledge, Damian will be a great contributor to all of the businesses he works with and expanding OpenGate’s global operations playbook. He is extensively skilled in optimizing value through applying advanced technologies, and we’re excited to leverage his strengths both in the field and within the firm as we extend our capabilities.”
Blazy stated, “I am pleased to have joined OpenGate Capital at a time when the North American portfolio is expanding, and as the firm is evolving. I am excited to work with a growing portfolio of diverse companies and am looking forward to working with the entire OpenGate organization.”
OpenGate Capital has a team of 30 investment professionals in the firm’s Los Angeles and Paris offices executing the firm’s integrated value creation strategy of advanced sourcing, M&A execution and operations which is applied throughout an investment’s life cycle.
About OpenGate Capital
Founded in 2005, OpenGate Capital is a global private equity firm that strives to acquire and optimize lower middle market businesses throughout North American and Europe. With a strategic international presence and a focus on corporate carve-outs and complex situations, the firm’s expertise allows it to realize a seller’s divestiture objectives while mitigating the risks associated with a business’s transition to independence. OpenGate is headquartered in Los Angeles and Paris and has a seasoned in-house team of professionals overseeing the entire lifecycle of each investment. To learn more about OpenGate, please visit www.opengatecapital.com.
