Capitala Group, a provider of capital to lower and traditional middle-market companies, hired and promoted several investment professionals in its Charlotte, NC-based headquarters.

Jack Vander Leeuw joined as a vice president. Previously, Vander Leeuw worked as a principal on the corporate development team at Neustar, where he focused on executing mergers and acquisitions, debt financings, divestitures, equity investments, joint ventures and other partnership-related transactions in the information technology industry. Prior to joining Neustar, Vander Leeuw was an associate at Gladstone Investment and began his career as an investment banking analyst at BB&T Capital Markets.

Peter McArthur joined as an associate. Previously, McArthur was an analyst in the Technology & Defense group at Regions Securities where he was engaged in cash flow based lending to corporate and sponsor-backed clients.

Joe Gaskins joined as an associate. Prior to joining Capitala, Gaskins worked at DHG Corporate Finance, 7 Mile Advisors and Red Ventures.

Kevin Roberts joined as an associate. Previously, Roberts was an assistant vice president at WEDGE Capital Management, where he focused on equity trading and compliance. Prior to WEDGE, Roberts was an audit senior at Ernst & Young, primarily serving asset management clients.

Jack Linker joined as an analyst. Prior to joining Capitala, Linker was an analyst at Tobin & Company Investment Banking Group where he worked on executing lower middle market mergers and acquisitions, private capital raises and valuation assignments.

Alex Pruitt joined the investment team as an analyst. Pruitt graduated from Wofford College with a B.A. degree in both accounting and finance.

Kevin Koonts was promoted to vice president. Koonts joined Capitala Group in 2013 as the controller for Capitala Finance. His primary responsibilities include financial controls and reporting. Prior to joining Capitala Finance in 2013, Koonts was an audit manager at Dixon Hughes Goodman, primarily serving southeastern Financial Institutions.