INVESTMENT TEAM

Brandan Lark

Founder and Managing Partner

blark@paragongrowthpartners.com

678.822.6932

  Brandan is a strategic executive bringing a dynamic background and compelling insights steering business performance transformations and enterprise-wide operations that catalyze positive progress across a variety of industries. Embracing companies of all sizes, from startups to globally renowned 500 corporations, and from private equity to home services, Brandan forges value-added relationships at all stages of the M&A process. His immersive understanding aligns high-performing teams with a growth mindset and delivers tactical roadmaps to unlock business value.  Cultivating partnerships and shared success is his passion. 

Brandan holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Operations from Fisher College in Boston. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Professional and is formally trained by leading Wall Street investors though Financial Edge. 

Tyler Smith

Founder and Managing Partner

tsmith@paragongrowthpartners.com

678.372.9721

Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences in quickly scaling business operations and revenues.  As an executive of a middle market equipment leasing firm, he oversaw the development of the company from 600 clients to over 2,500.  During his time there, he implemented standard operating procedures, go to market campaigns and developed and grew a new line of business responsible for $6.5M in annual revenues.  Tyler's market knowledge and contribution to due diligence lead to the acquisition of a competitor in 2021.  His past experience drives his common sense approach to the entire M&A process, from initial valuation to successful close.  Creating value through sustainable long term growth is Tyler's passion.

Tyler holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and is formally trained by leading Wall Street investors through Financial Edge.

Chris McConnell

Strategic Advisor

cmcconnell@paragongrowthpartners.com

404.695.7738

 Chris brings a unique combination of technical expertise and strategic acumen to the Paragon team. He has extensive experience in leading organization transformational projects and manages all phases of the M&A process with ease, from due diligence to regulatory compliance, and post-merger integration initiatives. Chris applies a collaborative, agile framework that allows for continuous improvement, generating value at every step of the way and ensuring that the business owner's vision is upheld. His passion lies in maintaining organizational identity and culture while facilitating company growth through organic expansion and targeted M&A activities. 

Chris holds an MBA from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Southern Polytechnic State University. He is a certified Project Management Professional and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and has received formal training from leading Wall Street investors through Financial Edge.

David Merwin

Strategic Advisor

dmerwin@paragongrowthpartners.com

770.910.0621

    David Merwin is a Partner at Paragon Growth Partners.  He has 25 year's experience in M&A, operations and corporate leadership.  In 2001 he helped found a silicon valley startup, Cloudshield Technologies, in the network security industry and he also founded Trumantra Education Group in 2003 through a series of 5 acquisitions of for-profit, education institutions.  As CEO of Trumantra, David fostered growth through alignment, focus and culture over a 15 year span before selling the companies in 2018.  In 2020 David Co-Founded Creekstone Capital Group, a mid-market focused M&A firm.  David has an undergraduate degree in Finance and an MBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management.  David is currently an adjunct professor in the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business where he teaches M&A Finance in the MBA Program.  David's passion is facilitating company growth through organic expansion and targeted M&A activities.