Our Team
We’re entrepreneurs, data scientists, investors, retailers and brand-builders. Together, we can help take your brand to the next level.
Lina Aluzri
Lina Aluzri currently serves as Associate, Business Services/Consumer on the Private Equity Investment Team. Prior to joining the firm, Lina was an Analyst at Ocean Avenue Capital Partners. Lina’s interests outside of work include going to the beach, discovering new coffee shops, and skiing.
Education
Claremont McKenna College, B.A., Economics and Computer Science
Sarah Breckinridge
Sarah Breckinridge currently serves as Senior Associate, Business Services/Consumer on the Private Equity Investment Team. Prior to joining the firm, Sarah was an Analyst in the Global Services Group at Morgan Stanley.
Sarah’s interests outside of work include art history, golf, and downhill skiing.
Education
Middlebury College, B.A., Computer Science and Economics
Veejay Costello
Building the PearlRock portfolio and ensuring brand success through data-driven and consumer-centric decision making. 10+ years of experience working at the intersection of data, CPG, and retail, helping drive new partnership development for the Kroger Company. Significant expertise in grocery e-commerce strategy, CPG consumer insights, and merchandising consumer insights.
Dennis "DJ" Jenson
DJ Jenson currently serves as an Operating Partner on the Private Equity Investment Team. DJ’s expertise spans a broad range of top-tier consumer brands, market sectors and global market. Notable past experiences include his role as Operating Partner with North Castle Partners, VP of Global Business Development and Licensing at The Timberland Company, President of Business Development and SVP of Marketing at the Burton Corporation, as well as a number of Chairman and Board Member roles across a diverse range of brands.
DJ's interests outside of work include outdoor pursuits (run, swim, sail, bike, snowboard), enjoying good food and beverages with friends and family, and growing brands and businesses.
Education
University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management, B.S., magna cum laude
Wharton Executive Education, Mergers & Acquisitions and Financial Analysis
Current and Prior Midocean Boards
Justin Karr
Vice President, Investment and Business Development
Justin currently serves as a Vice President on the Investment and Business Development teams at MPearlRock and has been a part of the PearlRock Partners platform since formation. Prior to joining MPearlRock, Justin was a Vice President at Fremont Macanta and a Senior Associate in the Retail and Consumer Investment Banking group at Credit Suisse.
Brian Kelley
30+ years of consumer product industry experience. Former President and CEO of Keurig Green Mountain and President of the Coca-Cola Company’s North American operations.
Steven Loeffler
Steven Loeffler currently serves as Principal, Consumer on the Private Equity Investment Team. Prior to joining the firm, Steve was an Analyst at Peter J. Solomon Company.
Steven’s interests outside of work include golf, the New England Patriots, and his Golden Retriever.
Education
University of Pennsylvania, B.A., Economics, magna cum laude
Current and Prior Midocean Boards
Lisa Mann
Lisa Mann currently serves as an Operating Partner on the Private Equity Investment Team. Lisa is an accomplished leader of enterprise transformation as well as an industry-leading marketer known for building brands that have become part of the fabric of our culture and society.
Lisa has a strong track record of driving revenue growth and shareholder value from businesses ranging from start-up to $50BN. Lisa is currently the Managing Director and CMO of Raines, a leading talent advisory firm that offers executive search and consulting services. Lisa has had a distinguished career in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, including Global President of the $7BN PepsiCo Global Nutrition Category, EVP and CMO of KIND Healthy Snacks, and held several leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Kraft Foods/Mondelez International.
Education
Tufts University, B.S.
Harvard Business School, MBA
Current and Prior Midocean Boards
Erik Oken
Erik Oken currently serves as the Chairman of MidOcean’s Private Equity business. Prior to joining the firm, Erik spent over thirty years at JP Morgan where he held numerous leadership positions including Global Head of Consumer Retail Investment Banking and, most recently, serving as Global Chairman of Investment Banking.
Erik’s interests outside of work include fishing, 70’s pop culture, and diplomatic history.
Education
Amherst College, B.A.
Megan Reuszer
Strengthening the next great consumer brands by leveraging the power of Kroger Merchandising. 18 years of CPG experience with over 11 years working with Kroger Merchandising. Deep expertise in merchandising, strategy development, along with customer science and insights.
Don Somers
Harnessing the power of 84.51°’s consumer data to grow the brands of the future. 11 years of experience at 84.51° leveraging data science and machine learning to improve merchandising and marketing decision-making for CPGs and retailers.
Matt Spires
Building the next great consumer brands through data-driven, customer-centric strategies. 2+ years working with emerging consumer packaged goods food companies. 7 years of experience in leveraging data analytics, merchandising expertise, and strategic partnerships to enhance consumer engagement and retention
Greg Spreen
Deploying insights and sciences to drive business decisions across the portfolio. 16 years of experience with 84.51° working across capability development, data analysis, insight-driven thought leadership, and merchandising strategy.
Ted Virtue
Ted Virtue is the founder and CEO of MidOcean Partners. Prior to founding the firm, Ted was Chief Executive Officer of DB Capital Partners with oversight for Deutsche Bank’s $35 billion direct investment portfolio.
Ted’s interests outside of work include MidOcean, MidOcean, and MidOcean.
Education
Middlebury College, B.A., Economics and Psychology
Current and Prior Midocean Boards
Piyush Zaveri
A leader at Kroger’s data science company, 84.51°. Proven track record in helping brands leverage data and analytics to make customer-centric decisions and accelerate growth.