Churchill Asset Management LLC, an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen providing customized financing solutions to private equity firms and their portfolio companies, today announced its 2024 promotion class. Positioning the firm for continued growth, six senior professionals have also been added to Churchill’s Operating Committee, which oversees day-to-day operational matters, and a new Executive Committee has been established (reporting to the CEO), responsible for management of the firm and setting overall strategic direction for the business.

Effective immediately, the Executive Committee members are:

• Ken Kencel, President & CEO – Chairman of the Executive Committee
• Mathew Linett, Senior Managing Director, Co-Head of Senior Lending
• Randy Schwimmer, Senior Managing Director, Co-Head of Senior Lending
• Jason Strife, Senior Managing Director, Head of Junior Capital & Private Equity Solutions
• Shai Vichness, Senior Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer

The Operating Committee now consists of the following 12 members:

• Christopher Cox, Senior Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer
• Christopher Freeze, Senior Managing Director, Head of Investor Relations
• David Heilbrunn, Senior Managing Director, Head of Product Development & Capital Raising
• Kelli Marti, Senior Managing Director, Head of CLO Management & Co-Head of Chicago Office
• John McCally, Senior Managing Director, General Counsel
• Derek Fricke, Managing Director, Junior Capital & Private Equity Solutions

Newly appointed:

• Courtney DeBolt, Managing Director, Head of Operations
• Carol Loundon, Managing Director, Deputy Chief Risk Officer
• Kevin Meyer, Managing Director, Head of Origination, Senior Lending
• Anne Philpott, Managing Director, Junior Capital & Private Equity Solutions
• Marissa Short, Managing Director, Funds Controller
• Jill White, Managing Director, Underwriting & Portfolio Management, Senior Lending

The Operating Committee will report to the newly established Executive Committee.

“Being a partner of choice for both our investors and private equity clients means continually expanding in both size and complexity to meet their evolving needs in a variety of market environments,” said Mr. Kencel. “Expanding our leadership team to incorporate new and diverse perspectives will enhance our ability to effectively organize, execute and position ourselves for the next phase of our growth. Congratulations to our new Operating Committee members - each of whom has been an outstanding contributor to the success of our business for many years.”

In addition, effective March 1, 2024, 53 individuals across the firm’s investment teams, as well as the investor relations, legal and compliance, risk, finance, operations and administration groups will be promoted and/or assume new roles. Principals and above are listed below. Notably, Randy Schwimmer, one of the firm’s original founders, will be promoted to Vice Chairman, focusing on the ongoing optimization of Churchill’s investment and support teams, while continuing to maintain and grow our significant private equity sponsor and institutional investor relationships.

Senior Lending

• Randy Schwimmer, to Vice Chairman, Co-Head of Senior Lending
• Jill White, to Managing Director, Deputy Head of Underwriting & Portfolio Management
• Vivek Sachidanand, to Managing Director, Underwriting & Portfolio Management
• Nicholas Carroll, to Principal, Origination
• Jacob Iati, to Principal, Underwriting & Portfolio Management
• Joseph McShane, to Principal, Underwriting & Portfolio Management
• Sanjeet Singh, to Principal, Underwriting & Portfolio Management

Junior Capital & Private Equity Solutions

• Derek Fricke, to Senior Managing Director
• Michael Chiulli, to Managing Director
• Andrew Topping, to Principal, Secondaries

Other Professionals

• Christopher Freeze, to Senior Managing Director, Co-Head of Nuveen Private Capital Business Development
• Mickey Weatherston, to Managing Director, Head of Sustainability & ESG Integration
• Charmagne Kukulka, to Principal, Chief Compliance Officer
• Sherry Chen, to Principal, Head of Digital Marketing
• Steve Dobson, to Principal, Operations, Treasury
• Preston Kafka, Principal, Valuation Specialist
• Sydney Nyajeka, to Principal, Finance

“We are thrilled to celebrate these 53 well-deserved promotions. While our largest promotion class to date, each individual has made a notable and unique contribution to our firm and to our ability to provide first-rate solutions to our clients,” Mr. Kencel added. “Additionally, with over 17 years of partnership at Churchill, Randy’s invaluable role in Churchill’s evolution (as both a Founder and leader of our Senior Lending business) and his significant impact on the industry as an innovator and thought leader cannot be understated. I am confident that in his new position, Randy will continue to bring his unmatched creativity and exemplary leadership to further elevate our business.”

About Churchill Asset Management LLC

Churchill, an investment-specialist affiliate of Nuveen (the asset manager of TIAA), provides customized financing solutions to middle market private equity firms and their portfolio companies across the capital structure. With over $50 billion of committed capital, we provide first lien, unitranche, second lien and mezzanine debt, in addition to equity co-investments, secondary solutions and private equity fund commitments. Churchill has a long history of disciplined investing across multiple economic cycles and our unique origination strategy, execution and investment are driven by more than 160 professionals in New York, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles. To learn more about Churchill, visit https://www.churchillam.com.

This material is not intended to be a recommendation or investment advice, does not constitute a solicitation to buy or sell securities, and is not provided in a fiduciary capacity. The information provided does not take into account the specific objectives or circumstances of any particular investor, or suggest any specific course of action. Financial professionals should independently evaluate the risks associated with products or services and exercise independent judgment with respect to their clients. Churchill Asset Management is a registered investment advisor and majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America. Securities offered through Nuveen Securities, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC.

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