Key Takeaways
- • ClearLight Partners, a Newport Beach-based private equity firm managing $900 million in capital across three funds, promoted Jeff Manassero and Kyle Burke to Partner and Dustin Byer to Principal effective July 14, 2021.
- • Kyle Burke joined ClearLight in 2006 and brings 15+ years of tenure, supplemented by prior management consulting experience at Bain & Company and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
- • Jeff Manassero joined in 2009 with prior analyst experience at Goldman Sachs, holding dual degrees in Economics and Engineering from Claremont McKenna College and Harvey Mudd College.
- • Dustin Byer joined in 2016 from THL Credit and has progressed to Principal after five years, holding a degree from the University of Southern California.
- • The promotions reflect ClearLight's strategy of retaining and advancing experienced investment professionals focused on middle-market companies with significant growth potential.
Summary
ClearLight Partners announced the promotion of three senior investment professionals on July 14, 2021, in a move reflecting the firm's commitment to advancing talent from within its ranks. Jeff Manassero and Kyle Burke were elevated to Partner, while Dustin Byer was promoted to Principal. Michael Kaye, Founder and Managing Partner of ClearLight, stated that "Jeff, Kyle and Dustin have been key contributors to ClearLight's success, and we're delighted to announce these promotions."
Kyle Burke represents the longest-tenured professional in this promotion cohort, having joined ClearLight in 2006. Apart from a period to pursue his MBA, Burke has maintained continuous tenure at the firm for approximately 15 years. Prior to ClearLight, he worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company. Burke holds a BA and BS from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, positioning him with advanced training in both strategic consulting and business administration.
Jeff Manassero joined ClearLight in 2009, bringing 12 years of experience with the firm. His background includes a prior role as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, one of the world's leading investment banks. Manassero holds dual degrees—a BA in Economics from Claremont McKenna College and a BS in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College—demonstrating a quantitative and technical foundation relevant to private equity investment analysis.
Dustin Byer, the most recently hired of the three, joined ClearLight in 2016 from THL Credit in Los Angeles, where he worked as an associate. His progression to Principal status reflects five years of contribution to the firm. He holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
ClearLight Partners is a middle-market private equity investor based in Southern California that has raised $900 million in capital across three funds from a single limited partner. The firm focuses on established, profitable companies with significant growth potential and emphasizes operational and financial expertise in driving value creation alongside portfolio management teams.
Kyle Burke represents the longest-tenured professional in this promotion cohort, having joined ClearLight in 2006. Apart from a period to pursue his MBA, Burke has maintained continuous tenure at the firm for approximately 15 years. Prior to ClearLight, he worked as a management consultant at Bain & Company. Burke holds a BA and BS from Southern Methodist University and an MBA from Harvard Business School, positioning him with advanced training in both strategic consulting and business administration.
Jeff Manassero joined ClearLight in 2009, bringing 12 years of experience with the firm. His background includes a prior role as an analyst at Goldman Sachs, one of the world's leading investment banks. Manassero holds dual degrees—a BA in Economics from Claremont McKenna College and a BS in Engineering from Harvey Mudd College—demonstrating a quantitative and technical foundation relevant to private equity investment analysis.
Dustin Byer, the most recently hired of the three, joined ClearLight in 2016 from THL Credit in Los Angeles, where he worked as an associate. His progression to Principal status reflects five years of contribution to the firm. He holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.
ClearLight Partners is a middle-market private equity investor based in Southern California that has raised $900 million in capital across three funds from a single limited partner. The firm focuses on established, profitable companies with significant growth potential and emphasizes operational and financial expertise in driving value creation alongside portfolio management teams.
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