GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Blackford Capital has appointed Rick Lopez as managing director, the private equity firm announced Tuesday. Lopez, a finance and investment banking veteran with more than 25 years of experience, will lead Blackford’s fundraising strategy while also contributing to transaction sourcing, investment analysis, and portfolio management.
Lopez will be based in Blackford’s Chicago office, bringing extensive experience in capital raising, deal structuring, and private equity investment. Before joining Blackford, he was a partner and co-founder at Rush Street Capital, a middle-market investment bank, where he led capital markets operations and helped raise more than $1.4 billion in commitments across 93 transactions. He has also worked at Chase Bank, LaSalle Bank, BMO, and Huntington Bank.
His history with Blackford dates back to 2016 when he served as an advisor while at Rush Street, raising more than $367 million for Blackford’s portfolio companies. He played a key role in securing funding for the firm’s investments in Helio Outdoors, Outova, PACIV, Security Fire Systems, and Design Environments.
“Rick’s deep understanding of investment banking and private equity makes him an invaluable addition to our team,” said Martin Stein, founder and managing director of Blackford Capital. “His expertise in fundraising and deal execution aligns with our growth strategy as we continue to expand our portfolio.”
Lopez also serves on several business boards and is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) Chicago’s Private Equity and M&A Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Blackford Capital, founded in 2010 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, focuses on acquiring and managing lower middle-market manufacturing, industrial, and distribution companies. The firm has been recognized for its investment performance and was named to Inc.’s list of Founder-Friendly Investors in both 2023 and 2024.
