Highlander Partners Expands Investments into Tech Sector; Adds Technology Veteran Rashid Skaf to Private Equity Team

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Oct 05, 2016, 04:38 ET

DALLAS, Oct. 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Highlander Partners, L.P., a Dallas-based investment firm managing more than $1.2 billion of private capital which focuses on making direct private equity investments in middle market companies, announced today their intention to expand their investments into the technology and communications sector. This is a new area of investment for the firm. In support of this initiative, Highlander Partners is announcing the addition of Rashid Skaf to its private equity team, which presently has fifteen professionals, including Partners Michael R. Nicolais, Jeff L. Hull and Alex L. Guiva. As Senior Advisor, Rashid will focus his time on sourcing and evaluating investment opportunities in the technology and communications industry, in which he will look to assume a leadership role post-investment.

Mr. Hull, the firm's Managing Partner, stated, "We continue to strengthen our team to enhance our sourcing capabilities, execute transactions, and grow our portfolio. Highlander remains one of the most active middle market firms in the country, and we intend to accelerate our growth over the next few years. The addition of Rashid will broaden our capability to develop new platforms in the B2B collaborative technology and communications industry. Consistent with our core strategies, we desire control positions in established companies within these sectors."

Mr. Nicolais, the firm's Co-Founder and President, added, "Our capital base has grown significantly since our inception with over $1.2 billion of assets currently under management. We continually seek new markets and verticals where we can productively deploy our resources and help grow those companies in which we invest. Adding Rashid is essential to our ability to identify, evaluate, and assist companies in this new investment area. We are excited to add such a high quality and accomplished professional to the team."

Mr. Skaf stated, "I have spent the last year working with various Private Equity firms as I determined what project to undertake next. I was very impressed by the strategy, culture, and professionals at Highlander Partners and am delighted to have the opportunity to open up a new investment frontier for them while pursuing my passion for finding and growing innovative companies. Mike & Jeff made joining Highlander an easy decision. I am excited to find the first platform company to build on."

Rashid Skaf, Senior Advisor
Rashid Skaf was appointed President and CEO of AMX in 2005, after serving as the company's President and Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure at AMX, the company's revenue and employee base grew tremendously; both organically and through 9 acquisitions, with Mr. Skaf's focus on customers, products and solutions, vertical markets, and people. In 2007, Mr. Skaf was named, "Corporate CEO of the Year" by the Tech Titans (formerly Metroplex Technology Business Council), for his outstanding leadership in the technology and communications industry. Under his leadership, the company achieved exceptional financial performance and was acquired by Duchossois Industries Inc. in April 2005 and subsequently sold to Harman International Industries in 2014.

Before joining AMX, Mr. Skaf was Vice President and General Manager of Nortel Networks Broadband Wireless Access (BWA). He joined Nortel when the company acquired Broadband Networks Inc. (BNI), where he served as executive director. His professional background also includes technical and management positions within several divisions of Ericsson Inc., including its Network Systems and Point-to-Multipoint Microwave Communications Network divisions, as well as Ericsson Radio's NMT and GSM divisions.

Mr. Skaf is a graduate of the University of Tampa and received his Master of Business Administration at the American Graduate School of International Management-Thunderbird.

About Highlander Partners
Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $1.2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, building materials, consumer products, B2B collaborative technology and others. Highlander Partners uses a "buy and build" investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.

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SOURCE Highlander Partners, L.P.