Excellere Partners (“Excellere”), a leading private equity firm specializing in partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to build enduring value, today announced the addition of three new team members and the promotion of three investment professionals, further strengthening the firm’s investment and operational capabilities as it continues to grow.

Raffy Howe joins as an Associate

Raffy Howe has joined Excellere as an Associate, where he will support the firm’s investment activities, including transaction evaluation, due diligence, financial analysis, and portfolio company value creation. Prior to joining Excellere, Raffy was an Associate with Bank of America’s Healthcare Group, advising on mergers and acquisitions and capital markets transactions focused on healthcare technology companies. Previously, he served as an Associate at Promontory Financial Group, an IBM company, leading consulting engagements centered on compliance, risk, and strategy for fintech clients. Raffy earned an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business with a concentration in Corporate Finance, Investment Banking, and Asset Management, and a B.A. in Economics from Colorado College.

Delali Ofori joins as an Associate

Delali Ofori has joined Excellere as an Associate after serving as a Private Equity Analyst at Lorient Capital, where he participated in all aspects of the investment process, including deal sourcing, due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, investment committee materials, and portfolio company support. During his tenure, he helped execute investments across healthcare services and telehealth, while leading analytical workstreams and lender-financing processes. Prior to Lorient Capital, Delali completed a private equity internship with Shamrock Capital and currently serves in the United States Marine Corps Reserves as a Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Specialist. He earned a B.A. in Economics from Fordham University.

Chanelle Furlong joins as Office Administrator

Chanelle Furlong has joined Excellere as Office Administrator. With more than 13 years of experience in financial management, accounting, compliance, and executive support, Chanelle brings extensive operational expertise to the firm. She has led financial reporting, budgeting, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, and process improvement initiatives while partnering with leadership teams to enhance operational efficiency and support strategic business objectives. Her strong organizational skills and collaborative approach will help support Excellere’s continued growth and commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for employees, management teams, and investors.

Promotions

Joe Gonella was promoted to Senior Associate

Joe Gonella has been promoted to Senior Associate. Since joining Excellere in 2023, Joe has played an important role in evaluating and executing investment opportunities while supporting portfolio company initiatives across the firm’s Industrial Growth and Healthcare Business Services sectors. His promotion recognizes his strong analytical capabilities, collaborative approach, and continued contributions to the firm’s investment activities.

Grant Rahja promoted to Vice President

Grant Rahja has been promoted to Vice President. Since joining Excellere in 2021, Grant has become a key contributor across the investment lifecycle, helping source, evaluate and execute new investments while working closely with the management teams of AIS, and Hinterland Group to drive value creation. His promotion reflects his leadership, strategic acumen, and commitment to Excellere’s partnership-driven investment philosophy.

Colton Gier promoted to Vice President

Colton Gier has been promoted to Vice President. Since joining Excellere in 2022, Colton has played an integral role in the firm’s investment activities supporting portfolio company CDL Nuclear Technologies while contributing to Excellere’s Healthcare Delivery industry team. His promotion recognizes his leadership, investment judgment, and dedication to creating long-term value for portfolio companies.

“At Excellere, our success has always been driven by the quality of our people,” said Brad Cornell, Managing Partner at Excellere Partners. “We’re excited to welcome Raffy, Delali, and Chanelle to the firm, and equally proud to recognize Joe, Grant, and Colton for their well-earned promotions. Each of these individuals embodies our collaborative culture, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to excellence. As we continue to grow, investing in and developing exceptional talent remains one of the most important ways we create value for our portfolio companies, management teams, and investors.”

About Excellere Partners

Excellere Partners is a Denver-based private equity firm with approximately $2.3 billion of assets under management. Since its founding in 2006, Excellere has partnered with entrepreneurs and management teams to build enduring value through a differentiated investment approach focused on healthcare and industrial growth businesses. The firm combines deep sector expertise with operational resources to help companies accelerate growth and create long-term value.

For more information, visit www.excellere.com.

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