Great American (GA Group), a provider of advisory, valuation, field exam, liquidation, retail and real estate services, and majority-owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, acquired Risk Solutions International (RSI) and launched a new direct lending platform, Great American Capital, with the appointment of Eran Cohen as its president and chief investment officer.
The integration of RSI into GA Group’s platform of services was aimed at creating a unique market resource offering a holistic solution to address both the financial health and operational resilience of businesses.
“In today’s high-risk environment, our clients need integrated, practical solutions for resilience,” Dan Shribman, CEO of GA Group, said. “By combining our global advisory platform with RSI’s deep, specialized expertise in crisis management, business continuity and enterprise risk management, we have created an end-to-end platform that delivers security and confidence.”
Duane Lohn, senior managing director of RSI, added, “On behalf of RSI, our entire team is excited to join GA Group’s global platform. We look forward to continuing to provide the marketplace with leading risk advisory services across key industry sectors. RSI has a truly global footprint through our partnerships and an international multinational client base that we are bringing to GA Group.”
In his new role as president and chief investment officer of GA Group’s new ABL platform, Great American Capital, Cohen will oversee the strategic direction, originations, portfolio management and expansion of Great American Capital’s lending capabilities.
Great American Capital will provide financing solutions and invest senior, junior or unitranche capital ranging from $20 million to $100 million per transaction. Core to the platform’s mission is to partner with the traditional ABL community to complement their existing offerings.
“We are thrilled to welcome Eran to the leadership team,” Shribman said. “Through our valuation and liquidation work, we have developed an unparalleled understanding of asset values and have a deep network of originators. Eran’s expertise in middle market lending and collateral-backed structures, along with his extensive industry relationships, make him an ideal complement to our team and he will be invaluable as we scale our lending platform.”
Cohen said, “I am incredibly excited to lead this new private credit platform and help shape something meaningful from the ground up. It is a privilege to build the firm in collaboration with GA Group and Oaktree, two highly recognized and accomplished brands in our industry. Their combined market expertise and reputations, coupled with building a high caliber experienced team, will allow GACC to become a reliable and creative capital solutions partner for many middle market companies.”
Cohen joins GA Group with over 30 years of experience in structured finance. Most recently, he was managing director at a $6 billion direct lending platform responsible for originating, underwriting and managing debt and equity investments across various sectors. He was also managing director at Wells Fargo Capital Finance, where he spent 15 years leading the Central U.S. AVL team focused on executing senior and unitranche credit opportunities to private equity and privately held companies. Cohen also was previously a partner with Monroe Capital, successor fund to Hilco Capital, where he was responsible for deal sourcing, investment structuring, underwriting and the execution of ABL fund investments. He holds a BBA from the University of Iowa and an MBA from Loyola University.
