Runway Growth Capital, a provider of growth loans to both venture and non-venture-backed companies seeking an alternative to raising equity, hired Carmela Thomson to be the firm’s first vice president of finance and accounting and Andy Weyer to the post of managing director of technology for the origination team.
Operating out of the Chicago office, Thomson will focus on scaling Runway’s financial operations. She will work with Tom Raterman, CFO of Runway Growth Capital, to refine the firm’s core financial best practices and advise on financial and investor reporting.
“Our platform has grown substantially over the last several years, including our flagship private BDC and traditionally structured private funds. Expanding our financial team to include talent that is well-steeped in financial reporting, controls and a regulated operating environment is a logical next step in our growth and financial success,” Raterman said. “Carmela’s experience in ‘Big Four’ public accounting dealing with large banks and complex lending situations will directly enhance the quality of our financial reporting and other areas of financial control.”
Thomson has almost 10 years of financial experience in banking, lending and accounting, with a blend of technical, risk management and project management experience.
“Runway is invested in elevating its financial and back-office operations and client services to ensure the firm continues to be an important part of helping companies flourish,” Thomson said. “It’s exciting to be with a venture debt firm that supports both investors and entrepreneurs seeking financing options that don’t take away from their hard-earned equity.”
Previously, Thomson was a senior manager for auditing at KPMG Chicago, serving in leadership roles for the majority of her time. She has experience in the performance of integrated audits and knowledge of SEC, PCAOB, COSO and SOX rules and requirements.
Weyer will work alongside Mark Donnelly, head of origination at Runway Growth Capital, to cultivate new borrower and investor relationships for the firm’s technology portfolio. Weyer will operate from Runway’s Silicon Valley, CA, office and assist with forming new partnerships and diversifying the technology group while leveraging his existing networks from the commercial lending world.
Weyer joined Runway with more than 20 years in banking focused on the technology and life sciences industries. Weyer also has startup and early-stage growth experience.
“As part of Runway’s West Coast technology origination team, Andy will help to enhance how Runway sources deals in Silicon Valley and across the West Coast,” Donnelly said. “Andy’s experience being a trusted partner to entrepreneurs in the technology sector in Silicon Valley makes him an important piece in Runway’s ability to provide capital solutions to expansion/growth-stage companies.”
“I’m passionate about working with entrepreneurs and their investors and deploying capital to help fuel the growth of startup technology companies,” Weyer said. “Runway has proven itself as a long-term capital partner that’s trusted in the venture and growth debt space, so I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with their experienced team and help deliver exceptional client service.”
Weyer most recently led the West Coast technology originations group for Pacific Western Bank and held senior lending roles with its predecessor, Square 1 Bank. Earlier in his career, he worked with Escalate Capital Partners and Comerica Bank’s technology and life sciences group.
