Say hello to Falcon
Meet Our Team
100% focused on creating value in the PE-backed, middle market.
Diverse backgrounds and deep industry knowledge.
Lindsay Guzowski
Partner
Lindsay Guzowski, Partner at Falcon, has been with the firm since 2012. She leads C-Suite searches for a number of leading, middle market private equity firms and plays a key role in guiding Falcon’s strategic direction.
Prior to joining Falcon, Lindsay provided in-depth analysis on potential private equity investments at the Chaifetz Group, a private equity firm in Chicago. She also spent seven years with McMaster-Carr Supply Company in a variety of progressive roles across Finance, Logistics, and Sales Operations. Lindsay is involved with several non-profit boards and is a member of ACG. In addition to being a member of the CFA Society of Cleveland, Lindsay also passed all levels of the CFA exam and is eligible for its charter.
Lindsay received her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, an MA in Sociology from UNC-Chapel Hill, and AB from Dartmouth College. Her research on leadership and culture has been published in leading peer reviewed journals.
Rob Huxtable
Partner
Rob Huxtable is a closely-held advisor to several leading, middle market private equity firms.
His primary focus is leading high-impact portfolio company CEO searches across North America. He also conducts portfolio company CFO assignments as well as and fund-level Operating Partner searches.
In his 15+ years in retained search, Rob has successfully led more than 250 assignments for more than three dozen private equity firms. He conducts assignments for Software, Tech Services, Healthcare, Consumer, Business Services and Industrial portfolio companies.
Rob originally joined Falcon (its predecessor firm) in 2010 as a Partner. Under his leadership, Falcon has been recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing, privately held companies by Inc. Magazine.
Prior to his career in executive search, Rob worked in the consumer products and industrial services sectors. He is a member of ACG’s New York, NY chapter and has a BS from the University of Dayton.
Brandon Mihalo
Vice President, Search
Brandon Mihalo leads execution on private equity-backed CFO searches across North America.
Before joining Falcon as an Analyst, Brandon interned at Blackmore Partners and KPMG where he leveraged his financial background to conduct due diligence, create business plans, and source lower middle market companies. Brandon is an expert in candidate identification, recruitment, and development and in client management.
Brandon is graduate of St. Francis University, where he studied Accounting and Finance.
Bryan Sienerth
Vice President, Search
Bryan Sienerth leads execution on private equity-backed CFO searches across North America.
Before joining Falcon as an analyst, Bryan interned at Great Lakes Insurance and Erie Technical Systems while competing in the Pittsburgh Penguin farm system. Bryan is skilled with candidate identification, recruitment and development. He is also expert at industry research, sourcing strategies, and client management.
Bryan is graduate of Mercyhurst University where he studied Finance and Business Competitive Intelligence.
Joe Gravino
Vice President, Search
Joe Gravino leads execution on private equity-backed CEO and Revenue Leader searches across North America.
Joe joined Falcon after completing his graduate studies. While in college, Joe interned at FirstLink Research & Analytics, where he provided market assessments for the commercialization of medical device inventions. While in college, he was a four-year member of the Mercyhurst Lacrosse team, and he currently coaches in the local Cleveland area.
Joe received his Masters in Management from Durham University (UK) and BA from Mercyhurst University.
Blake Minchoff
Vice President, Search Operations
Blake Minchoff, VP of Search Operations at Falcon, has been with the firm since 2023. He leads operational efficiency for Falcon’s search team and oversees continuous improvement projects.
Prior to joining Falcon, Blake oversaw recruiting operations at Keystone Strategy, optimizing talent experience for consulting hires. He also spent four years at Northeastern University as a project manager with a focus on employee recruitment, onboarding, and development.
Blake received his Master’s in Project Management from Northeastern University and his BA from Brandeis University.
Brandt Slayton
Technical Lead
Brandt Slayton supports Falcon’s data analytics, technology, and automation efforts. He is also a critical member of the team that is incubating Falcon’s propriety assessment tool, The Crucible.
Before joining Falcon, Brandt was a summer intern with our firm.
Brandt holds an AB in Engineering Sciences & Economics as well as a BS in Mechanical Engineering, both from Dartmouth College.
Cori Finefrock Audey
Vice President, PrivateEquityCXO
Cori Audey leads PrivateEquityCXO. This business unit hosts a membership platform for PE-caliber executives, inclusive of original content, private user groups, and a PE-focused job board.
Before taking on leadership of PECXO, Cori served as the firm’s head of strategy. She joined Falcon as an Associate, where she supported execution of private equity-backed mandates. Previously, Cori worked with The Cleveland Orchestra where she held a number of positions on the fundraising team. During her graduate studies, she interned with Eaton Corporation’s Lighting Division.
Cori holds a BA from Baldwin Wallace University in Philosophy and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.
Rebekah Howland
Director, Talent Management
Rebekah Howland leads Falcon’s talent management initiatives including internal recruitment, team development, and employee experience. She has been with Falcon since 2015 and has held a variety of roles across research, sourcing, and candidate development.
Before beginning her career as an Analyst at Falcon, Rebekah interned with the Cleveland Leadership Center, focusing on civic engagement for college and high school students. She also interned in the development and marketing departments at New Hope, a domestic violence education and prevention services provider. Currently, she is actively involved in a number of youth- and education-focused organizations in the community.
Rebekah received her BA from Wheaton College (MA), where she was inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta and Phi Beta Kappa, and her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management.
Alice Proctor
Content and Marketing Manager
Alice Proctor brings deep experience with written communications and messaging, coupled with a pulse on c-suite operations and successful operators. She leads the Falcon CXO content team.
Over the course of her career, Alice has partnered with several globally recognized entrepreneurs in the technology, legal, financial services, manufacturing, hospitality, advertising, and media sectors. She has a wealth of copywriting and copyediting experience, and she has been actively engaged in everything from fundraising and deal closings, to developing marketing campaigns and print/TV ad production.
Some early career roles included high-net-worth client specialist for a commercial bank, head of shareholder relations for a broadcast media company, and the client services manager for a prominent family office.
Christy Smith
Senior Associate, Search
Christy Smith supports Falcon’s candidate identification, recruitment and development. She is also expert at industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She fully leverages a variety of resources including Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Before beginning her career at Falcon, Christy ran a full recruitment desk at a contingent technology staffing firm. She supported VC-backed early stage startups in candidate identification, recruitment, and market mapping.
Christy is a graduate of the College of Charleston where she studied Marketing.
Sarah DeMarco
Senior Associate, Search
Sarah DeMarco supports Falcon’s candidate identification, recruitment and development. She is also expert at industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She fully leverages a variety of resources including Pitchbook, CapitalIQ, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Before joining Falcon, Sarah led Expert Network engagements with Guidepoint.
Sarah is graduate of Colgate University, where she studied Geography.
Nick Dawkins
Associate, Search
Nick Dawkins supports Falcon’s candidate identification, recruitment and development. He is also expert at industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. He fully leverages a variety of resources including Pitchbook, CapitalIQ, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Before joining Falcon full time, Nick was a summer intern with the firm. Additionally, Nick interned with The Riverside Company and Elizabeth Park Capital Management during his undergraduate studies.
Nick received his BA from Oberlin College, where he majored in Economics and French.
Rachel Beall
Associate, Search
Rachel Beall supports Falcon’s candidate identification, recruitment and development. She is also expert at industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management, and supports a variety of search operations and data analysis projects.
During her undergraduate studies, Rachel completed two separate, interrelated theses examining the relationship between elements of dance, beauty, and bias as well as the analytical tools of econometrics. Her research earned honors and was published in the Journal of Cultural Economics. Rachel started her career at Falcon as an analyst in the rotational leadership development program.
Rachel received her BA from the College of Wooster where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a double major in Economics and Theatre & Dance.
Sahar Samman
Associate, Search
Sahar Samman supports Falcon’s candidate identification, recruitment and development. She is also expert at industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She fully leverages a variety of resources including Pitchbook, CapitalIQ, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Before joining Falcon, Sahar worked as an Investment Analyst in the Derivatives Middle Office group at Nationwide Insurance. She was also a Sr. Analyst in Business Technology for Nationwide, prior to her promotion to Nationwide Investments.
Sahar holds a BA from Sewanee: The University of the South, where she majored in Economics and double-minored in Finance and Philosophy.
Katie Baker
Associate, Learning & Development
Katie Baker supports training and knowledge management activities at Falcon, and she is focused on enhancing learning and development opportunities for all employees. She also supports the internal hiring and onboarding cycles.
Before pivoting to support internal talent, Katie worked as an Associate and Senior Analyst within Falcon’s executive search team. Prior to that, Katie was a Recruiting Coordinator at the Waffle House corporate office, where she supported the full-cycle recruiting process for managers, associates, and technicians.
Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kennesaw State University with a BS in Exercise Science.
Alexis Novales
Senior Analyst
Alexis Novales supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing her research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Before joining Falcon, Alexis worked as a Senior Account Executive for Sunbelt Staffing. In this role, she was responsible for sourcing and pre-screening education professionals for school districts nationwide.
Alexis received her BA from the University of Tampa, where she majored in Advertising & Public Relations.
Caroline McLaughlin
Senior Analyst
Caroline McLaughlin supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing her research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Prior to Falcon, Caroline was a full-cycle recruiter and account manager at Insight Global. In her role, she was responsible for growing her book of business of Fortune 1000 clients to consult and deliver talent optimization initiatives in the IT, Finance, Accounting and Engineering spaces.
Caroline received her BS from the University of Dayton where she studied Marketing.
Joe Valencia
Senior Analyst
Joe Valencia supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. He compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing his research experience in Pitchbook, CapitalIQ, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Prior to joining Falcon, Joe interned with Advisor Group, a nationwide support network for financial professionals. He also interned with Solorzano Law, a law firm dedicated to helping underrepresented clients in the greater Phoenix area.
Joe holds a BA from Williams College, where he studied Psychology.
Joey Cipriano
Senior Analyst
Joey Cipriano supports Falcon’s data analytics, technology, and automation efforts.
During his undergraduate studies, Joey worked as a research assistant in the Economics department at the University of Chicago. After spending a summer interning with Falcon, Joey joined the firm full-time following his graduation.
Joey graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Economics specializing in Data Science and Statistics
Mallory Stokker
Senior Analyst
Mallory Stokker supports content development for Falcon’s online publications and for the firm’s FalconCXO platform. She also conducts industry research, compiles companies, and sources candidates utilizing her research experience in Pitchbook, CapitalIQ, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
During her undergraduate studies, Mallory worked as a writer and editor for multiple student publications. She also gained experience with professional writing and non-profit communications, particularly during a semester-long internship as a community engagement intern working with a local organization dedicated to combating poverty and inequality.
Mallory holds a BS in Journalism from Syracuse University, where she also double-minored in Writing & Rhetorical Studies and Philosophy.
Yao Xen Tan
Senior Analyst
Yao Xen Tan supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. He compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing his research experience in Pitchbook, CapitalIQ, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
During his undergraduate studies, Yao Xen worked as a research assistant with the Harvard Business School and the University of Chicago Center for Spatial Data Science. He also interned in Ghana with Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), a global research and policy non-profit, conducting research projects in partnership with the Ghanaian government.
Yao Xen holds a BA from the University of Chicago, where he studied Economics.
Jillian Miele
Analyst
Jillian Miele supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing her research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter. She also contributes to data analytics initiatives.
During her undergraduate studies, Jillian worked as a technology consultant and research assistant for Syracuse University’s Department of Psychology. She also participated in an independent research study, where she designed and built interactive data visualizations modelling the socio-technical influences of misinformation on belief systems.
Jillian received her BS from Syracuse University, where she majored in Applied Data Analytics.
Lilly Hyde
Analyst
Lilly Hyde supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing her research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
During her undergraduate studies, Lilly completed multiple marketing internships with various local companies and non-profits. During her senior year, she conducted a public relations campaign for her school’s football team to reengage the student population with its mascot. While in graduate school, Lilly worked as a consultant for Allsorter, a resume parsing technology company based in Dublin.
She graduated from Georgetown with a Masters in Management and received her BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Political Science and Public Relations.
Morgan Seay
Analyst
Morgan Seay supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. She compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing her research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
During her undergraduate studies, Morgan was a research lead on the Racial Geography Project, a collective aimed at revealing and understanding Rice University’s unique relationship with slavery and racial injustice. She also led her own Medical Humanities research project examining misconceptions about black female bodies in medicine. During her senior year, Morgan acted as President of her residential college, Hanszen, while also working as an intern at the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Morgan holds a BA from Rice University where she studied Social Policy Analysis.
Nathan Delmar
Analyst
Nathan Delmar supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. He compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing his research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Prior to joining Falcon, Nathan worked as a mountain guide in the Pacific Northwest and as an avalanche forecaster for the National Forest Service in New Hampshire.
Nathan received his BA from Bates College where he majored in History and minored in Philosophy and East Asian Studies.
Sam Barlow
Analyst
Sam Barlow supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. He compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing his research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter
Prior to joining Falcon, Sam worked as a search consultant in the People Talent Legal Practice at True Search, a global executive search firm. In this role, Sam sourced and placed CPO’s for high growth B2B companies,
Sam holds a BA in Cultural Anthropology from Trinity College, CT and a MS in Business Management from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business.
Sebastian Mai
Analyst
Sebastian Mai supports Falcon’s industry research, sourcing strategies, and data management. He compiles companies and sources candidates utilizing his research experience in Pitchbook and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Prior to joining Falcon, Sebastian worked at True, an executive search firm where he specialized in CRO, CEO and Investor placements.
Sebastian holds a bachelor’s degree in international business from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Robin Pritchett
Project Manager
Robin leads Falcon’s search coordination efforts on private equity-backed mandates across North America. She is an expert in project management and skilled in providing a world-class client and candidate experience.
Prior to joining Falcon, Robin spent eight years in executive search coordination at Russell Reynolds Associates and Heidrick & Struggles. Before she made the move to executive search, Robin spent eighteen years in market research & data analytics providing in-depth analysis and insights in the consumer goods and service industries.
Robin received an MBA in General Management from Howard University and a BA in Economics from DePauw University.
Anna Novik
Office Manager
Anna Novik supports back office operations to ensure a seamless service experience for Falcon’s clients and candidates.
Before joining Falcon, Anna held numerous roles with the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, including Administrative Specialist with the Young Leadership Division and Co-Director of the Saltzman Youth Panel. Previously, she supported the City of Pepper Pike as Administrative Assistant and Menorah Park Campus as Office Manager.
