Having pursued the same investment thesis for over a decade, Level is able to leverage its prior successes, industry expertise, and vast executive network to serve as a trusted, value added partner to its management teams and investors.
Redefining Partnership.
With experience that spans private equity, mezzanine lending, M&A advisory, start-up operational roles, and management consulting, Level has a diverse knowledge set from which to make sound decisions and contemplate all perspectives.
Combined with a passion for growing and developing great companies, Level has had the opportunity to partner with and invest in some of the most intriguing companies in the lower middle market.
Steven P. McGrath – Managing Partner
Steve McGrath founded Level Capital Partners and is responsible for originating and evaluating investment opportunities, structuring and negotiating transactions, managing portfolio investments, and investor relations.
Prior to forming LCP, Mr. McGrath served key roles within three lower middle market private equity initiatives, inclusive of Harbert Management Corporation’s private equity practice, Atlanta Equity Investors, and Liberty Lane Partners. Before his private equity career, Mr. McGrath worked at the Royal Bank of Canada within its M&A advisory group and a lower middle market mezzanine investment firm. Mr. McGrath also gained valuable management consulting and operational experience as a part of Andersen Consulting and multiple technology startup companies. Mr. McGrath has sat in board positions throughout his investment management career and currently sits on the boards of Suburban Orthopaedics and Affirmative Technologies.
Mr. McGrath holds a MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University, where he graduated with Beta Gama Sigma honors, and a B.A. in Economics from the Miami University.
Austin D. Ventura - Associate
Austin Ventura joined Level Capital Partners in 2024 and is responsible for originating and evaluating investment opportunities, deal execution, due diligence, and supporting portfolio investments.
Prior to joining LCP, Mr. Ventura was an Associate at LCG Advisors, a middle market investment bank. During his time at LCG, Mr. Ventura focused on mergers and acquisitions, financing, and other financial advisory services to business services, technology, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial companies. Prior to LCG, Mr. Ventura worked as an FP&A analyst at Mastercorp, Inc., a middle market hospitality services company. At Mastercorp, Mr. Ventura was responsible for budgeting, forecasting, data analytics, and acquisitions.
Mr. Ventura holds a MBA and M.S. in Finance from the University of Tampa, and a B.S. in Finance and Economics from the University of South Florida.
James P. Rowe - Operating Advisor
James Rowe has 25 years of experience in financial technology and possesses an extensive track record of successful execution. He currently serves as Chairman of Affirmative Technologies Inc. and EVP of Data & Analytics for mTrade. He was most recently a member of the executive leadership team that led Optimal Blue through a successful acquisition by GTCR. Prior senior management positions include Managing Director of Mergers and Acquisitions at Lender Processing Services, Inc. (NYSE: LPS), and COO of FIS Decision Solutions, a unit of Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE: FIS).
Mr. Rowe obtained his B.S. degree in Economics from Virginia Tech and his M.A. degree in Quantitative Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Lawrence P. Kraska - Operating Advisor
Larry Kraska has over 30 years of healthcare services experience, including hospital administration, physician group practice management, outpatient services, consulting, and healthcare staffing. Having extensive experience within private equity backed companies, Larry has helped to guide four companies through successful investment exits that garnered exit multiples of over 10x LTM EBITDA. He currently serves as CEO of Water’s Edge Dermatology, a leading provider of dermatology, vein care, and plastic surgery. Prior executive leadership positions have included CEO of MESA Medical Group, a leading regional provider of outsourced Emergency Medicine and Hospital Medicine services, President/COO of Hospital Physician Partners, and President/CEO of Caring Brands International and Interim Healthcare, a leading franchisor of homecare services. Early in his career, Mr. Kraska served as CEOO of Physicians’ Specialty Corp., a publicly traded physician management company, and held numerous administrator positions within the Tenet healthcare system.
Mr. Kraska obtained his B.S. and MBA degrees from Kennesaw State University and currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the University.
