José Blanco is a Managing Partner at CVF Capital Partners and  co-founded the firm in 2005. He leads CVF's efforts regarding reviewing and partnering with Hispanic entrepreneurs and evaluating cross-border investment opportunities benefiting from USMCA (formerly NAFTA).

 

Mr. Blanco served as a Regional Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at AIG Investment Corporation (AIG), where he supervised direct investments in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, logistics, distribution, business services, and financial services. Following his tenure at AIG, he served as the CFO for a NASDAQ listed company. This experience allows Mr. Blanco to combine his tenure as an investment officer with his operating experience as a CFO to assist companies in executing their business plans and building value for all stakeholders.

 

At CVF Capital Partners, Mr. Blanco has led investments in healthcare, manufacturing, recycling, aviation, logistics, business services and telecom throughout the Western U.S. He currently sits on the boards of ComAv, BC2, Vege Labs, and Cool Mountain Transport where he has teamed up with owners and founders to build value for all stakeholders.

 

Mr. Blanco earned a Ph.D. in Economics from Utah State University, an M.S. from the University of Utah, an M.B.A. from Claremont Graduate University, and a B.A. from Saint Michael’s College.

Edward McNulty is a Managing Partner at CVF Capital Partners and brings over 35 years of experience in corporate finance, investment, turnaround, and general advisory experience to the firm. Before joining the firm in 2006, Mr. McNulty held various senior positions in merchant and investment banking at the Chase Manhattan Bank (now JP Morgan). At Chase, he oversaw multi-billion dollar leveraged credit portfolios and had oversight responsibility for the structuring and valuation of new leveraged finance transactions. He has acted as lead banker on over $23 billion worth of deals involving acquisition finance, recapitalizations, and restructurings. As a banker and investor, he has focused on middle-market companies, providing debt and equity financing, as well as actively working with management teams to grow their businesses.

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At CVF Capital Partners, he has led investments in manufacturing, professional services, and IT.  He currently sits on the boards of Gary Platt, ComAv, Initiative Foods, and Utility Telecom. He previously sat on the boards of LightRiver Technologies, Molded Devices, and IoSafe.

 

Mr. McNulty earned a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree from Colgate University.

Chris Carleson joined CVF Capital Partners in 2012 and is responsible for originating, structuring, closing, and monitoring portfolio investments.  Prior to joining CVF Capital Partners, Chris was with ING Group in their Variable Annuities division.  In his role, Chris worked with external wholesalers to expand the Company's footprint in the Midwest and manage individual investment accounts in tandem with independent financial brokers.

 

At CVF Capital Partners, Chris has led or participated in investments in healthcare, manufacturing, recycling, landscape management, logistics, business services, gaming, and hospitality throughout the Western U.S. He currently sits on the boards of Precision Machine & Manufacturing, Utility Telecom, Gary Platt Manufacturing, Recreation Resource Management, Initiative Foods, and Vege Labs where he has partnered with owners and other sponsors to generate growth and realize significant value for shareholders and employees.  He has also been an observer on the boards of Molded Devices, Valley Healthcare Staffing, and Source Logistics.

 

Chris earned an M.B.A. from the University of California, Davis, and a B.S. from the University of California, Irvine.  He also holds Series 6 and Series 63 FINRA licenses (inactive).

Felipe Acosta joined CVF Capital Partners in 2022. Prior to joining the firm, he gained experience at  Goldman Sachs (GS). At Goldman Sachs, he worked in the AIMS division focusing on the liquidity management and client allocation to Primaries, Secondaries, and GP stakes deals.

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At CVF Capital Partners, Felipe supports the origination and execution efforts as well as the portfolio management. He currently sits on the boards of Vege Labs, BC2 Environmental, Cool Mountain Transport, and Initiative Foods.

 

Mr. Acosta graduated summa cum laude from Utah State University with a dual degree in International Business & Finance and a Master in Financial Economics. He recently passed CFA Level I in September 2022.

Anthony Bretting joined CVF Capital Partners in 2017. Prior to joining the firm, he worked in KPMG, LLP's audit practice for five years. During his time in public accounting, he led engagement teams performing a range of assurance services, including financial statement and internal control audits, federal compliance audits, and agreed-upon procedures. He gained experience spanning a diversified client portfolio with a primary focus on mid-market private companies in the consumer goods and services, agriculture, manufacturing, utilities, and higher education industries.

 

Mr. Bretting graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, Sacramento, with multiple honors and received a B.S. in Business Administration, Accountancy Concentration. He earned his California CPA license in 2014 and achieved attestation certification thereafter.

Robert White is currently a Senior Accountant at CVF Capital Partners, having joined the firm in 2024. Prior to CVF, he was the Senior Accountant at Matchbook Wine Company in Zamora, CA, from 2018 to 2024, where he performed bank reconciliations, managed fixed assets, and oversaw accounting personnel.

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Before that, Mr. White worked as a Senior Accountant/Audit Manager at Fechter and Company in Sacramento, CA, from 2013 to 2018, managing audit engagements and staff development. He also served as a Staff Accountant at Smith and Newell in Yuba City, CA, from 2012 to 2013, conducting audit procedures and assisting with financial reports.

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Mr. White earned his B.S. in Business Administration (Accountancy) from California State University, Sacramento in 2006.

Dave Claugus joined CVF Capital Partners as an Operating Partner. At CVF, he provides advice to management teams on operations as well as strategic direction, especially in industrial businesses. He can also step on board roles in CVF portfolio companies. He was previously Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Pioneer Recycling Services (a CVF II portfolio company) from 2014 to 2021. Previously, he was Owner Operator of E-Waste Recovery Systems from 2008 to 2014 and concurrently an Adjunct Professor at Los Rios Community College District from 2007 to 2010. The majority of Mr. Claugus' professional life was at Weyehaeuser Co. where he started as an Operations Manager in 1985, was promoted to Plant Manager in 1987, Area Manager in 1996, Process Reliability Leader in 2001, and ultimately Region Manager in 2004. Before Weyehaehaeuser Co., Mr. Claugus was Operations Manager at Black Magic Products beginning in 1983. He began his career as an Industrial Engineer at Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical in 1981.

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Mr. Claugus received an M.B.A. from University of California, Los Angeles focusing on Operations Management and Finance. Mr. Claugus also received a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara in Economics.

 

 

Justin Hunt joined CVF in the summer of 2024. He supports the portfolio monitoring of several portfolio companies as well as the preparation of marketing and reporting documents for current and prospective investors.

 

Prior to CVF, Mr. Hunt interned at the University Growth Fund, a $90M growth equity fund.  Before that, he was an Investor Liaison at Kinect Capital, evaluating startup pitch decks and guiding pre-seed companies. Mr. Hunt also worked as a summer research analyst at Lakeshore Partners, sourcing 700+ healthcare and beauty businesses for private equity deals. Before that, he was an M&A Research Analyst at Vermilion Rock Advisors, sourcing lower-middle-market companies for buyout opportunities.

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Mr. Hunt will graduate from Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business in May 2026 with a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance.