Erik provides strategic counsel and communications support to financial services companies and alternative asset managers across a broad range of situations, with a focus on private equity firms as well as their portfolio companies. His areas of expertise include:

Financial Sponsors

He advises sponsors and portfolio companies on strategic communications related to investment activity, fundraising, corporate developments and investor and media relations. Current and former clients include AEA, Aethon Energy, Amulet, Apollo, Blackstone, CC Capital, Cerberus, Cinven, Cornell Capital, First Reserve, Fundamental Advisors, Gridiron, Kayne Anderson, Knox Lane, L Catterton, Percheron, Platinum Equity, Pretium, Quantum Energy, Shorenstein, Tailwater and ZCG.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Assignments include advising Bernhard Capital Partners on its acquisition of VSE Corporation’s Federal & Defense business; Apollo on its acquisitions of Athene, Yahoo and Brightspeed; GIC on its acquisition of STORE Capital; Cinven on its acquisitions of Archer and TaxAct ; CC Capital on CCNB I’s (SPAC) combination with E2open and CCNB II’s combination with Getty Images; Ports America on its sale to CPPIB; ECP on its acquisition of Biffa; Pretium on its acquisition of Anchor Loans; Tailwater Capital on its acquisitions of Tall Oak Midstream II and III and NorTex Midstream; and L Catterton on its acquisitions of Kodiak Cakes and Del Frisco’s, and sale of Cholula.

Crisis and Reputation Management

He advises sponsors and financial services companies managing complex crises or special situations, including litigation, management succession and unplanned leadership changes, reputational attacks, regulatory inquiries, misconduct allegations, workforce reductions, cybersecurity incidents and labor issues.

Public and Investor Relations

He counsels clients on strategically elevating their profiles and enhancing their overall corporate communications strategy through profile-raising, corporate positioning, thought leadership and employee and investor communications.

Fundraising

He advises private equity firms throughout the fundraising lifecycle from new strategy and fund launches to ongoing marketing activities, interim capital raises and final fund closes. He also works closely with clients to manage LP communications around unforeseen events at both the GP and portfolio level.

Erik joined Joele Frank in 2018. Prior to Joele Frank, Erik worked in the Corporate Communications practice at Weber Shandwick. He received a BA in English with a minor in Communications from the University of Connecticut.