Farhaad Wadia – Managing Partner

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Farhaad Wadia is the Founder and Managing Partner of Variant Equity, where he oversees all aspects of Variant Equity’s acquisition, operational, and administrative functions. Mr. Wadia is an active participant in the firm's investment process and the ongoing support of portfolio companies, where he provides strategic oversight and guidance in the execution and negotiation of acquisition, divesture and financing transactions, as well as post-close strategic direction for the firm's investments. In his role, Mr. Wadia also serves as the Chairperson of Variant’s Investment Committee.

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Prior to forming Variant Equity in 2017, Mr. Wadia spent over a decade at Platinum Equity, where he was responsible for leading investments in the middle market. Prior to joining Platinum Equity, Mr. Wadia held roles in portfolio management and investment banking at Bank of America and Houlihan Lokey. Mr. Wadia received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with highest honors from Washington University in St. Louis.

 

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Mike Sharp – Operating Partner

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Mike Sharp is an Operating Partner at Variant Equity, where he participates in the due diligence process for the acquisition of new investments with a focus on operational aspects and separation-related activities. During the post-close phase, he works closely with management teams within the portfolio to create strategic plans, ensure effective separation from the parent, and support business transformation.

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Prior to joining Variant Equity, Mr. Sharp spent over 15 years of business and technology consulting experience in high-tech, health care, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and business services. For the last five years, he has specialized in technology and operations due diligence and post-close value creation work for Private Equity funds within the middle-market. Mr. Sharp graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

 

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Brian Vargo – Operating Partner

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Brian Vargo is an Operating Partner at Variant Equity, where he focuses on post-acquisition integration and optimization. Mr. Vargo serves as an advisor to Variant Equity’s portfolio companies, assisting management in technical financial and accounting issues, process improvements, and system implementations as well as ongoing operational support.

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Prior to joining Variant Equity, he spent six years at Riveron Consulting as a Managing Director providing business transformation and accounting advisory services to both public and private equity owned companies. Prior to Riveron, Mr. Vargo has held various finance and accounting leadership roles for organizations across a variety of industries including software, logistics, and professional services. Mr. Vargo graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Illinois State University and is a CPA.

 

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Cory Willis – Operating Partner

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Cory Willis is an Operating Partner at Variant Equity, where he assists the firm’s portfolio companies and their management teams in creating lasting value through organic growth and disciplined fiscal management.

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Prior to joining Variant Equity, Mr. Willis held executive and senior operating roles spanning publicly traded, privately held, and private equity sponsored companies based in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Mr. Willis has nearly 25 years of experience in infrastructure, logistics, and technology investment operations.  Earlier in his career, he worked for Goldman Sachs, focused on its infrastructure investment operations. Mr. Willis graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University.

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Matt Murphy – Senior Associate

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Matt Murphy is a Senior Associate at Variant Equity, where he specializes in transaction execution and the sourcing of new investment opportunities. He also provides strategic advisory and monitoring support to Variant Equity’s portfolio companies on a post-closing basis.

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Prior to joining Variant, Mr. Murphy worked as a Manager at Delta Air Lines where he supported the Company’s strategic finance and corporate forecasting functions. Previously, he worked as an Associate at Leonard Green & Partners, focusing on private equity investment origination, execution, and management. Mr. Murphy began his career in J.P. Morgan’s M&A Group, gaining extensive experience in both buyside and sellside transactions. Mr. Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgetown University with a concentration in Finance and Accounting.