MEET OUR TEAM

KIT COOPER

Partner

Partner

KIT COOPER

Kit is an entrepreneur and former PE-backed executive who now grows companies by helping private equity firms with the management build out needs of their portfolio companies. Kit’s operator-led approach to search helps portfolio companies effectively de-risk their operating plans.

Prior to Signal, Kit started, ran, and successfully sold two outsourced Customer Support/CX businesses for which he received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist Award for Business Services.

Kit works across all Business Services sectors and functions, with unique experience leading CEO searches for companies collaboratively effecting a founder transition. Kit has always been a connector who loves reaching out to people. One of his favorite cold calls was reaching Richard Branson on his mobile (long story how he got the number!) and getting him to agree to an interview (after a few persistent follow-ups).

Kit is also the founder of two leadership and development organizations; the CEO Experience Series and the Quality of Life Project. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, human capital, and private equity and has spoken on these topics at YPO, as well as various conferences and MBA programs, including UCLA, USC, Pepperdine and Rice University.

Kit holds a BA in History from UCLA and an MBA from Georgetown University.

Clients:

Image of Kit Cooper, a partner member of the Signal Partners Team.

JAKE ELGART

Director

Director

JAKE ELGART

As Director, Jake executes both executive and non-executive searches for a variety of high-growth PE-backed companies.

He has recruited talent for clients including Foxen (VP of Engineering; Channel Partner Director); GiveCampus (Head of Finance); Proven Optics (VP of Finance); and MediSpend (Controller), among others.

Prior to joining Signal, Jake worked in the Sales and Customer Success practice at Michael Page, a public UK-based search firm working with high-growth tech companies.

Before entering the search industry, he worked at Sotheby’s, where he specialized in global private sales of both fine wine and spirits sold at auction. In this role, he advised his roster of global clients on both sales and acquisitions.

Jake finished his studies in food science at The Culinary Institute of America. He lives in Philadelphia. While food and wine are still a big part of Jake’s life, he is also an avid tennis player.

Clients:

GABRIELLE FERNANDEZ

Director

Director

GABRIELLE FERNANDEZ

Gabrielle Fernandez works with Venture, Growth-stage, PE-backed companies on executive and non-executive searches across Product, Data, and Technology. Her work spans the ‘full stack’ from the C-Suite to IC roles to full team build-outs. Prior to Signal, she served as VP Product & Technology at Raines International, a global executive search firm, where she concentrated on Chief Product, and Chief Technology roles for global payments, connected commerce, as well as rewards and recognition software companies. She also led C-level searches in healthcare IT, logistics, and other industries. Previously, Gabrielle led a team of fifteen people executing executive level searches at Citibank. She began her recruiting career at Kforce where she specialized in engineering team build-outs, recruiting anywhere from 2–20 people per client. Gabrielle is a graduate of Florida Southern College where she was Captain of the Women’s Volleyball team, also competing nationally at various levels for Team USA. A devoted wife and mother, when she isn’t recruiting she can be found with her husband chasing around their energetic daughters.

Clients:

LORAN FREDRIC

Partner

Partner

LORAN FREDRIC

Loran has more than 15 years of deep experience in retained search and executive recruiting for PE-backed, digital transformation, entrepreneurial and “first of” roles across a wide array of industries and functions.

Prior to Signal, he built a client-facing digital talent and executive search capability at BCG Digital Ventures working across the portfolio of operating companies within DV, as well as larger scale digital transformation and digital turnaround engagements for other BCG clients.

Previously, Loran led Executive Recruiting for Google’s Global Partnerships & Business Development organization, including for Area 120, Google’s internal accelerator and incubator, as well as extensive work hiring leadership team for Google Health and within YouTube.

Loran holds an MBA from UCLA and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard University. In his free time, he enjoys donut runs with his two young daughters and tinkering on old(ish) cars. He is also fully proficient in Mandarin Chinese.

Clients:

ANDREW GOODMAN

Partner

Partner

ANDREW GOODMAN

A sought-after search partner, Andrew brings an operator’s insight and nearly twenty years of executive search experience to help his clients find and hire the best talent.

An expert in Business Services and a variety of Industrial categories, he joined Signal Partners from DEKRA, a $4B global safety services company, where he most recently served as Chief Revenue Officer for North America. He was also Managing Director, Asia/Pacific, as well as Chief Talent Officer where he led the hiring of the company’s Chief Technology Officer, CFO, and GM of EMEA.

Prior, Andrew spent almost twenty years leading an executive search and talent advisory business, partnering with clients that spanned emerging growth to Fortune 50 corporations. He has led engagements to identify Board Directors and CEOs, recruit entire executive teams for newcos, and positioned growth companies with their first true CHRO or Finance Officer.

A Boston native, Andrew graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Economics. He and his wife are now empty-nesters and enjoy traveling and drinking great wine. He is an avid cyclist and is a proud 15-year veteran of the Pan Mass Challenge, a 185-mile ride benefitting the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Clients:

Photo of Andrew Goodman, partner at Signal Partners

HANLEY HOLCOMB

Partner

Partner

HANLEY HOLCOMB

Hanley joined Signal Partners from Lucas Group where he was a Senior Partner. He brings domain expertise in real estate private equity and has fifteen years’ experience in financial services, as well as recruiting for private equity platforms and their portfolio companies.

On the platform side, his clients include PE investors such as: Treehouse Co-Living (CFO; CIO); Bellwether Asset Management  (VP of Asset Management; VP Accounting + Finance); CIRE Equity (Director Asset Management; VP Accounting + Finance); Irvine Company (Sr Director Asset Management; Director of Analytics; Director of FP&A), among others.

On the operating side, he has completed searches for companies, including: TOMS Shoes (VP Finance); Munchkin (VP Finance & Accounting); Jukin Media (Global Head of Sales + Licensing); Branded Entertainment Network (VP Finance; VP of Operations); and Ellenos Greek Yogurt (CFO).

Earlier he was an Associate at UBS Private Wealth Management and also spent six years on Wall Street as a trader covering U.S. Equities.

Hanley graduated with a History degree from the University of Virginia where he was an All-American member of the men’s lacrosse team. While proud to tell anybody who will listen that he won a National Championship, he’s still bitter they didn’t win one more. He lives in Manhattan Beach with his wife and two young children.

Clients:

Photo of Hanley Holcomb, a partner at Signal Partners

PATRICIA MUISE

Partner

Partner

PATRICIA MUISE

With more than two decades in retained executive search, Pat is an expert in consumer and retail markets. She advises a diverse group of clients on building leadership teams at the C-Suite and senior executive levels and is highly regarded both by clients and candidates for her insights and deft relationship skills.

With a focus on early-stage and growth companies, Pat has an extensive track record collaborating with equity sponsors and Founder-led companies, particularly in direct-to-consumer, wholesale channels, as well as the Beauty, Health + Wellness sectors. She has recruited key executives for DrybarDollar Shave ClubTOMSAlchemy 43Markwins Beauty BrandsDosistOuterknown, and Kriser’s Natural Pet, among others.

Prior to Signal, Pat was a Senior Client Partner in the Consumer Practice at Korn Ferry, based in the firm’s Los Angeles headquarters.

Earlier in her career, Pat was an operating executive in the retail and hospitality sectors with Federated, Marriott, and Universal Studios. She was also one of the founders of venture-backed specialty retailer, The Sweet Factory.

A native New Yorker (but longtime Angeleno!) Pat earned a Bachelor of Arts in Opera from the Hartt School, University of Hartford, as well as a Bachelor of Science from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  She stills sings in the shower and the car – often accompanied by her Beagle, Felonious Blue Monk.

Clients:

Photo of Patricia Muise, a partner at Signal Partners

TOM NIEMAN

Co-Founder

Co-Founder

TOM NIEMAN

Tom is the Co-Founder of Signal Partners, as well as the CEO of Signal’s predecessor company, Fortis Partners. For the last twenty years he has recruited CEOs and their direct reports for venture-, growth-, and PE-backed companies nationwide.

Recently, Tom has led executive searches for companies such as: Klaviyo (Board Member; SVP Global Marketing; VP Customer Success; VP Design); ReCharge Payments (CFO; SVP People; VP Implementation); Houzz (SVP Sales & Operations; VP Finance; VP Industry Sales; VP Partnerships); A Cloud Guru (Chief Marketing Officer); Wealthfront (CFO; Chief Data Science Officer); and Shipmonk (COO; VP Automation & Continuous Improvement), among others.

Prior, Tom was a Partner at Ramsey/Beirne Associates, an early tech industry search firm that recruited CEOs for Netscape, eBay, E*Trade, and Priceline. He began his career in the Chicago headquarters of DHR International, a global executive search firm.

A Chicago native, Tom graduated from Dartmouth College and lives in Los Angeles. He is a (very!) late-round draft pick of the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and has a few fading memories of being a decent hockey player.

Clients:

Photo of Tom Nieman, Co Founder of Signal Partners

MONA PARSA

Director

Director

MONA PARSA

Mona is a Director at Signal Partners and executes both executive and non-executive searches for fast-growing companies.

She joined Signal from Legrande Health, an early-stage healthcare technology company, where she served as General Counsel.

Prior she ran her own law firm for over ten years, supporting an array of diverse clients. Her work included immigration services for foreign businesses, as well as science and entertainment experts seeking to enter the U.S. She also prosecuted international human rights violations at the United Nations. A domain expert in matters of estate planning, she provided counsel on finance and retirement security counsel to her local community.

A native of Orange County, Mona graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from University of California-Irvine and won a scholarship to earn her law degree from Whittier Law School. She also wrote and published an award-winning children’s book. But her proudest moment is winning her family’s cookie baking championship – just don’t try to ask her for the recipe.

Clients:

Photo of Mona Parsa, director at Signal Partners

BRAD POLSKY

Director

Director

BRAD POLSKY

Brad is a Director, focusing on executive and mission-critical non-executive searches for Signal’s clients.

He has recruited talent for clients including VuMedi (VP Customer Success; VP Product Management; Head of People; Director of Talent Acquisition; Director of Pharmaceutical Partnerships; Customer Success Director (x3); Director of Hospital Partnerships; and Senior Recruiter); TMA (VP Marketing; Director of Demand Gen; Controller; and Manager Finance & Corporate Development); Opensignal (Senior Director, Partnerships); Nacelle (Director of Sales); Klaviyo (VP GTM Ops); ReCharge Payments (VP Implementation; Director of Demand Generation); and Foxen (VP of Product), among others.

Prior to Signal, Brad was a Business Development Coordinator at Beyer Blinder Belle, a leading architecture and design firm. Prior he was an Analyst at Avalon Net Worth, a boutique investment bank. He was also an Analyst at Long Point Capital, a middle-market private equity firm, and began his career as a litigation paralegal.

A native of Westchester County, NY, Brad received a BA in Architecture from Williams College. He is an accomplished jazz musician and is passionate about improving public health and accessibility through his participation as a Board Member of the American Restroom Association.

Clients:

Photo of Brand Polsky, Director at Signal Partners

SKYE SANDER

Director

Director

SKYE SANDER

Skye works with PE-backed, growth-stage companies on executive and mission-critical non-executive searches across Sales, Marketing, Product, and Operations functions.

Skye joined Signal from Focus Search Partners, where he was a Managing Director responsible for C-Suite and Director-level searches in the software, services and manufacturing sectors. Prior, he was a Vice President at Taylor Winfield, a national retained search firm that was acquired by Focus Search Partners.

Earlier Skye founded HireOut, a Spanish translation and back-office agency for US-based tech companies like Twitter, HotelTonight, and Quizlet. He grew the company to 75 people, recruiting and leading teams in both Latin America and Spain.

Skye began his career as an early employee and Product Manager at Graphiq (formerly FindTheBest), a data visualization company that was backed by Kleiner Perkins and acquired by Amazon. Prior to the acquisition, he started Graphiq’s international operation which was the fastest-growing segment of the business.

Skye grew up in Colombia, spent a year teaching English in Korea, and was a semi-professional soccer player. He graduated from Westmont College and resides in Bend, OR, with his wife and two daughters. When he’s not working or with his family, you can find him training in the back-country for his next ultra-marathon trail race.

Clients:

Photo of Skye Sander, a director at Signal Partners

TIM SMITH

Co-Founder

Co-Founder

TIM SMITH

Tim is a Co-Founder of Signal Partners and brings more than twenty years of recruiting leadership teams for venture- and private equity-backed companies in the Technology and Consumer Sectors.

Prior to Signal, Tim founded and led Endeavor Search Partners, a well-regarded boutique retained search firm. At Endeavor, he partnered with companies such as SmartDriveYapstoneMattelID AnalyticsMarklogicRingCentralPOM, and others.

Earlier, Tim was with Riviera Partners in the firm’s formative years, joining the Co-Founders as the first outside Partner. Prior, he served as Founder and Managing Director of the Venture/Emerging Growth practice for Stanton Chase International, a global retained search firm. Tim began his career with Merrill Lynch, is a past President of the Los Angeles Chapter of YEO (Young Entrepreneur’s Organization), and served on a board committee of Association for Corporate Growth (ACG).

Tim holds an MBA, with an emphasis in technology and strategy, from the University of California, Irvine. He also received a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Finance from Southern Methodist University.  A third generation L.A. native, he lives in West L.A. with his wife, two kids and two dogs.

Clients:

Photo of Tim Smith, co-founder of Signal partners

JOSH UEBERROTH

Partner

Partner

JOSH UEBERROTH

At Signal, Josh partners with clients nationwide to lead C-Level, VP, and Director searches across Sales, Marketing, Product, Customer Success, and Finance functions.

At Signal and its predecessor, Fortis Partners, Josh has led searches for companies such as: Noom (Head of Strategic Partnerships); Dapper Labs (VP Finance); Sifted (Chief Revenue Officer; VP Client Success); VuMedi (VP Product Management; Head of People; Director Product Marketing; Director Educational Partnerships; Sr Recruiter; Director Education – Hematology; Director Pharmaceutical Partnerships; Director of Hospital Partnerships; Customer Success Director x3); ReCharge Payments (VP Sales; Director of Data Engineering; VP Implementation); Nacelle (Director of Sales); TheKey (VP Finance & Strategy; Director of Accounting & Controller; Sr Director of Financial Operations; Assistant General Counsel); Solutionreach (Chief Product Officer; SVP Customer Success); MacStadium (Chief Operating Officer); onXmaps (VP People; Controller); TSheets (SVP Partnerships; SVP Customer Success); Chargebee (Head of Sales), among others.

Prior, Josh was at Robert Half Technology, recruiting software developers for high-growth technology companies. He began his career in sales at Mobile Mini, a leading storage solutions provider, where he was ranked in the top 5% of a 100-person sales team.

Originally from Philadelphia, Josh calls L.A. home but splits time between both coasts.  He earned two degrees from Arizona State University with a BA in Political Science and a BA in History.

Clients:

Image of Justin Uberroth, works for signal partners.

ELIHU WHITNEY

Director

Director

ELIHU WHITNEY

At Signal, Elihu focuses on executing both executive and non-executive searches for Growth- and PE-backed companies.

He has recruited talent for clients including ReCharge Payments (CFO; SVP People; VP Strategic Partnerships); CoderPad (VP Sales & Customer Success); Shipmonk (COO; VP Automation & Continuous Improvement); Klaviyo (SVP Global Marketing; VP Customer Success; VP Go-To-Market Operations); and Mitek (SVP Sales), among others.

Prior to Signal, Elihu was an Equity Research Associate at ROTH Capital Partners, a boutique investment bank.

A Los Angeles native, Elihu managed to complete an undergraduate degree in Economics at UC Santa Barbara despite its proximity to world-class surf. He also holds a Master of Finance degree from the University of Southern California.

Clients:

Photo of Elihu Whitney, a partner at Signal Partners