Meet Our Exceptional Investment Team
Benjamin Kahn President
Benjamin Kahn has been involved with private investments for 22+ years. Prior to founding JDA, Benjamin served as a Managing Director at Exaltare Capital Management (2017-2021), Principal, H.I.G. Growth Partners (2008-2017), and Vice President, Glencoe Capital (2002-2008). Earlier in his career Benjamin worked at Madison Dearborn Partners and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
History of investing in and serving on the board of market-leading consumer, franchise, and multi-unit businesses. Companies that Benjamin has been involved with include ECP-PF (2nd largest Planet Fitness franchisee), Ideal Image and Childcare Network. Benjamin has also been active in other market segments and served on the board of companies including, CDI Computer Dealers (now Trox) and SDI Presence.
Earned a BS in finance and accounting with honors from New York University's Leonard N. Stern School of Business, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Resides in Newton, MA, with his family.
Executive Advisors
JDA has assembled a group of accomplished advisors to support JDA's investments. Each of these individuals has significant domain expertise that contributes to our portfolio companies.
Bob Burgess
Retired CEO of Pulte Homes which under his leadership became the largest U.S. national homebuilder. Mr. Burgess’s experience also includes numerous management consulting and public and private company board positions. He currently serves on the Polycor Inc. and Rosboro boards and previously served on the Pulte Homes, Amerisure Companies, Mattamy Homes and Beaumont Health System boards.
Mr. Burgess is also focused on continuing education and recently founded the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Michigan State University.
Domain expertise: Business strategy, growth management and team development, building products and home services
Craig Burson
Retired Managing Director, H.I.G. Capital; former senior executive Dow Chemical.
Mr. Burson is the Founder of Peak 8 Capital, LLC and currently serves on the Board of LMF Acquisition Opportunities.
While at H.I.G. Capital for over twenty years, Mr. Burson focused on making investments out of the firm’s Growth Equity fund, with a focus on the technology, consumer, healthcare, and business service sectors. Mr. Burson has served on numerous corporate boards.
Domain expertise: Significant experience in consumer products/services/franchising and chemical sector
Lawrence Greaves
An accomplished entrepreneur, investor, and board advisor. Prior roles include co-founding CEO, OPKIX, and co-founder, ETONIEN
Domain expertise: Human capital management/staffing, technology, digital marketing
Ari Klein
Vice-Chairman, Cushman & Wakefield. In addition, Mr. Klein is an active investor in numerous privately held companies across a wide spectrum of industries.
Domain expertise: Real estate and development
Bob MoffetT
Former Chief Development Officer, Big Blue Marble Academy; former Vice President Childcare Network.
Domain expertise: Site development and acquisition/integration of individual locations. Throughout his career, Mr. Moffett has built or acquired over 200 early childcare centers
Jim McDermet
Former SVP Global Operations, Starbucks. 15-year career at Starbucks where he was ultimately responsible for establishing global operation strategy and standards. Prior senior level roles included positions at Diedrich Coffee (Senior Vice President, Division Manager), Briazz-A Sandwich Café (President, COO), Java Southeast (President, CEO), Burger King Corporation (Vice President, Retail Division).
Domain expertise: Retail/restaurants, franchising, scaling business operations, turnarounds, strategy/prioritization of growth opportunities
John Hamaty
President, Vibra-Tite; former senior executive, Loctite Corporation
Mr. Hamaty is a former board member for Bank of Birmingham and now serves on the regional board for Bank of Ann Arbor.
Domain expertise: Sales management. Significant experience working in the chemicals/adhesives industry
Michael A. Sicuro
Over 35 years of experience working with public and private companies ranging from $50 million to over $4 billion in revenues in technology, healthcare, distribution, gaming, real estate, and financial services. A high-impact operating executive with multi-site companies. Prior senior level roles included Chairman and Co-Founder of mCloud Technologies, CCS Medical Holdings (CEO), The US Oncology Network (CFO) and Blue Cross of California (CFO).
Domain expertise: General operating management, leadership/coaching, public and private capital markets and M&A