Voya IM has acquired Czech Asset Management, L.P.
Firm Overview
Czech Asset Management, L.P. with over $5.0 billion of committed capital and managed co-investments since its founding, along with significant co-investment capacity, is an Old Greenwich, Connecticut-based direct lending firm engaged in providing privately negotiated, asset-based and cash-flow, first and second lien floating-rate senior secured loans primarily to U.S. middle market companies that generate annual revenue of $75.0 million to $500.0 million + and annual EBITDA of $7.5 million to $50.0 million +.
Firm Objectives
- Generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investors
- Provide investors and borrowers with “solutions” — not “products”
- Develop long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with our investors, borrowers and other stakeholders
Our Team
Stephen J. Czech
Managing Director, Head of Private Debt Middle Markets
Direct Dial: 203-769-8400
stephen.czech@voya.com
Mr. Czech has over 34 years of credit and corporate finance experience, a long track record of establishing and running direct lending credit funds and has been managing direct lending credit funds for 19 years. Said experience includes sourcing, structuring, underwriting, monitoring and restructuring corporate loans. Prior to founding Czech Asset Management, L.P. (“Czech”), in December of 2011, Mr. Czech was Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of SJC Onshore Direct Lending Fund, L.P. and the SJC Offshore Capital Finance Fund, L.P. (collectively, “SJC”), a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Investment Management. Mr. Czech joined SJC in January 2010. Prior to joining SJC, Mr. Czech was a Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Gottex -SJC (“Gottex”) from May 2009 to December 2009. Prior to joining Gottex, Mr. Czech was the founder, Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Contrarian Capital Finance, L.P. (“Contrarian”) from 2003 to 2008. During this period, Mr. Czech created and ran a direct lending fund in a nearly identical strategy to the current strategy he is now managing for CAM investors. Prior to joining Contrarian in 2003, Mr. Czech was employed by Credit Suisse First Boston (“CSFB”), where he was the head of the Mezzanine Finance Group from 2001 to 2003. Prior to CSFB, Mr. Czech was employed by Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (“DLJ”) from 1998 to 2001. At DLJ, Mr. Czech was a member of the Leveraged Finance Group. Mr. Czech was also a Senior Credit Officer of ABN AMRO’s Leveraged Finance Group and a Vice President at Banc of America Securities.
Mr. Czech and his family are significant donors to, and advocates of, causes related to: (i) terminally-ill children, (ii) active-duty and retired Navy SEALs and their families; (iii) tradesman (ie: carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters, contractors, welders, pipefitters, riggers and hospitality industry workers), first-responders (ie: Police, Fire and EMTs); and (iv) scholarships for underprivileged high-school students throughout the United States. Mr. Czech is the founder and Co-Chairman of The Mikey Czech Foundation, a lifetime member of The Navy SEAL Foundation National Leadership Council, a member of the Advisory Board of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a lifetime member of the University of Chicago’s Founders Circle, Maroon Loyalty Society and Chicago Society, a Laureate member of the Dean’s Society of The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a member of Villanova University’s President’s Club, Matthew Carr Society and Parents Executive Committee, a member of the Aesclepian Society of Harvard / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a member of the Harvard / Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s President’s Circle and a member of the Harvard / Dana-Farber Presidential Visiting Committee for Pediatric Oncology.
Mr. Czech received a B.S. from Marquette University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Stephen J. Ogilvy, CPA
SVP, Alternatives Tax and Accounting
Prior to joining Czech Asset Management, L.P. and since 2017, Mr. Ogilvy was employed by Eaglehill Advisors LLC in New York City as Controller. From 2012 – 2017, Mr. Ogilvy was employed by W.L. Ross & Co. in New York City in its Finance and Accounting Group. From 2011 – 2012, Mr. Ogilvy was employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in New York City as an Auditor in the Alternative Investments Group.
Mr. Ogilvy earned an M.S. in Accounting and a B.S. in Commerce (Accounting & Finance) from the University of Virginia. Mr. Ogilvy is a Certified Public Accountant.
Staci A. Dunn
VP, Alternative Product Solutions
Ms. Dunn has over 28 years of Operations and Investor Relations and Services-related experience within the financial services industry. Prior to joining Czech Asset Management, L.P., Ms. Dunn spent over seven years at FrontPoint Partners, L.P. (“FPP”), a subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Investment Management, from February 2004 through December 2011. While at FPP, Ms. Dunn was an Operations Associate responsible for a broad set of Investor Relations-related processes including the management of investor documentation and funds transfer processes.
Prior to joining FPP, Ms. Dunn worked at Ivory Capital Group LLC from May of 1999 through January of 2004, where she was responsible for Investor Relations support and all facets of administrative support for the Portfolio Management team. Ms. Dunn began her career in financial services with SC Fundamental Value Fund LLC where she was the executive assistant to the firm’s Managing Partner.
Stephen P. DesJardins
SVP, Private Debt Middle Markets
Mr. DesJardins has over 31 years of corporate finance, high yield, secured loan, structured product, M&A and restructuring experience, having spent a significant portion of his professional career on Wall Street with Salomon Brothers, Gleacher & Co., Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, Credit Suisse and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co. Prior to joining Czech and in his last role at Cantor Fitzgerald, Mr. DesJardins was a Managing Director, Partner and Chief Operating Officer of Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.’s Investment Banking Division (“Cantor”). Prior to joining Cantor and from 2004 – 2008, Mr. DesJardins was a Partner and Chief Operating Officer of alternative investment firm Ivory Investment Management, L.P. (“Ivory”). Prior to joining Ivory and from 2001 – 2004, Mr. DesJardins was a Vice President and Director in the Investment Banking Group at Credit Suisse. Prior to joining Credit Suisse and from 1999 – 2001, Mr. DesJardins was a Partner of Encore Venture Partners, L.P. (“Encore”). Prior to joining Encore and from 1997 -1999, Mr. DesJardins was an Associate in the Investment Banking Division at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (“DLJ”). Prior to DLJ and from 1994 – 1995, Mr. DesJardins was an options principal on the American Stock Exchange with Rockrimmon Securities (“Rockrimmon”). Prior to Rockrimmon and from 1993 – 1994, Mr. DesJardins was an Associate with private equity firm Eos Partners (“Eos”). Prior to Eos and from 1992 -1993, Mr. DesJardins was an Analyst with M&A boutique Gleacher & Co. (“Gleacher”). Prior to Gleacher and from 1990 – 1992, Mr. DesJardins was an Analyst in the M&A group at Salomon Brothers.
Mr. DesJardins earned an MBA (dual major in Accounting & Finance) from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (Director’s List) and a B.S. (dual major in Finance & Entrepreneurial Management) in Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Mr. DesJardins has known and worked with Mr. Czech since 1998.
Travis Taunton
SVP, Private Debt Middle Markets
Travis L. Taunton, Director & Assistant Portfolio Manager. Prior to joining the Management Company, Mr. Taunton spent nearly five years (from June 2011 to May 2016) at JP Morgan Chase in Dallas, TX and New York City. At JP Morgan Chase, Mr. Taunton worked as a Summer Intern, Credit Analyst and Credit Underwriter in the Middle Market and Corporate Lending Divisions.
Mr. Taunton is a graduate of the JP Morgan Chase Credit Analyst Training Program. Mr. Taunton earned a B.B.A. – Finance (cum laude) from Texas A&M University.
Alex Lee
VP, Private Debt Middle Markets
Alex Lee, Vice President. Prior to joining the Management Company, Mr. Lee spent nearly three years at PricewaterhouseCoopers Corporate Finance LLC in Chicago, IL. At PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Lee worked as an Analyst and Associate in the Investment Banking – Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Prior to PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Lee spent nearly two years at BMO Capital Markets as an Analyst in its Healthcare and Higher Education Group.
Mr. Lee earned a B.A. – Economics (Dean’s List) from the University of Chicago.
Austin E. Hunnell
Private Debt Middle Markets, Associate
Austin E. Hunnell, Associate. Prior to joining Czech Asset Management, L.P. and since July 2018, Mr. Hunnell was employed as an Analyst by Credit Suisse in the Leveraged Finance – Credit Group.
Mr. Hunnell earned a B.S. – Business Administration, Finance (Magna Cum Laude) from East Carolina University.
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