Defined Middle Market borrower size
Companies with EBITDA of $5 million to $50 million
Principal Alternative Credit is the direct lending business within Principal Global Investors, one of the largest financial services and asset management firms in the world.
Our direct lending business expands on the 50+ year private credit lending heritage of Principal1, and focuses on relationship lending by providing flexible financing solutions to both sponsor-backed and non-sponsored middle market companies throughout North America.
Principal Alternative Credit is the direct lending business within Principal Global Investors, one of the largest financial services and asset management firms in the world.
Our direct lending business expands on the 50+ year private credit lending heritage of Principal1, and focuses on relationship lending by providing flexible financing solutions to both sponsor-backed and non-sponsored middle market companies throughout North America.
Principal Alternative Credit is the direct lending business within Principal Global Investors, one of the largest financial services and asset management firms in the world. Our direct lending business expands on the 50+ year private credit lending heritage of Principal1, and focuses on relationship lending by providing flexible financing solutions to both sponsor-backed and non-sponsored middle market companies throughout North America.
Companies with EBITDA of $5 million to $50 million
Standardized underwriting process offers speed and efficiency from initial review through loan funding
Value-add diligence throughout investment process enhances client's investment thesis
Ability to invest across the capital structure, from senior secured through junior subordinated securities
Seasoned investment team underwrites and invests with conviction across broad array of sectors
Supportive of borrowers throughout investment lifecycle, including add-on acquisitions
Investment style
Lower middle market and middle market direct lending
Investment size
$25 - $200 million target facility size
Company size
Minimum of $5.0 million of EBITDA
Situations
Investment structures
Industry
Principal targets investment opportunities across a broad range of industries including:
Geography
Primarily North America
The Principal Alternative Credit team is comprised of seasoned lending professionals, many of whom have worked together for more than 20 years. Our team has extensive experience across originations, underwriting and portfolio management, with significant credit investing experience across all major industries and through multiple credit cycles.
Tim Warrick | Managing Director, Group Head
Tim leads Principal's Direct Lending business and is a member of the Direct Lending Investment Committee. With over 30 years of experience, Tim has spent much of his career managing corporate and U.S. core plus portfolios. He previously served as Portfolio Management Team Leader with responsibility for overseeing portfolio management functions for all total return fixed income products. Tim also oversaw the corporate trading desk, was one of the first Portfolio Managers for Principal's general account and began his career at Principal as a fixed income credit analyst focused on both private and public credit. In addition to his responsibilities with the firm, Tim also spent two years with ReliaStar Investment Research, Inc., where he was an Analyst for multiple sectors, including mezzanine debt, leveraged bank loans, corporate bonds and asset-backed securities. Tim received an MBA from Drake University and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Economics from Simpson College. Tim holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Matt Darrah | Managing Director, Head of Underwriting
Matt leads underwriting efforts for Principal's Direct Lending strategy with responsibility for the team's underwriting philosophy and processes, as well as overseeing the underwriting of new direct loan investment opportunities. Matt is a member of the Direct Lending Investment Committee and has 15 years of experience in direct lending, having previously started the strategy for Capital Southwest, a publicly traded, lower middle market business development company. Matt was also a Portfolio Manager of the leveraged loan strategy for Petrus Asset Management, the primary investment vehicle for Ross Perot and his family. Matt received a Bachelor's Degree in finance from Southern Methodist University.
Nick Pierce | Director, Head of Operations
Nick leads all aspects of Operations for Principal Alternative Credit. In this role, Nick represents Principal Alternative Credit on matters related to business management, financials, IT, operations, compliance and human resources. Prior to this, Nick was a Product Specialist where he was responsible for fixed income strategy and product development, working closely with Principal Global Fixed Income Portfolio Management teams to service current and prospective clients. Nick also previously held the position of Senior Performance Analyst and Fixed Income Performance Leader at Principal Global Investors. Nick joined Principal in 2007 and has over 18 years of investment related experience. Nick holds a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Iowa State University and has earned the right to use the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement designation.
Jill Blosser, CPA | Chief Financial Officer
Jill is the Chief Financial Officer for Principal Alternative Credit. In this role, Jill oversees planning, implementation, and all finance activities, including financial accounting, financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting. Jill is responsible for all financial reporting for Principal Alternative Credit and corresponding client reporting requirements. Prior to this position, Jill was the Chief Accounting Officer for Principal Global Investors, where she was responsible for accounting policy, Sarbanes Oxley, GAAP/SAP investment reporting and securities operations for many of the investment portfolios of the Principal Financial Group, with specific focus on the general account of Principal Life Insurance Co. Jill joined Principal in 1992. Previously, she was an external auditor for Ernst & Young with a focus on financial services. Jill received an MBA from Drake University and a Bachelor's Degree in accounting from the University of Iowa. Jill has passed the NASD Series 7 and 27 examinations, and is also a member of the Iowa Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs.
Brian Polomsky | Managing Director, Sponsor Originations
Brian is an Originator on Principal's Direct Lending Team and has more than 20 years of experience in private equity sponsor coverage and deal execution. Brian was previously with Antares Capital covering sponsors in the Midwest and East. Transactions included deals across varying industries including manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, business services, consumer, software and aerospace with debt facility sizes of $50-$500 million. He began his career with GE Capital, with roles in audit, underwriting and account management for private equity backed businesses. Brian holds a Bachelor's Degree from John Carroll University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Brian Miazga | Managing Director, Sponsor Originations
Brian is an Originator on Principal's Direct Lending Team and has more than 17 years of experience in private equity sponsor coverage and deal execution. Brian was previously with NXT Capital covering sponsors in the West, leading transactions across a variety of industries. Prior to NXT Capital, Brian held positions in both originations and underwriting at Fifth Street Finance and BMO Capital Markets. Brian began his finance career in the Corporate Debt Investment Banking group at William Blair & Company. Brian earned a Bachelor's Degree from Miami University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Doug Koch | Managing Director, Sponsor Originations
Doug is an Originator on Principal's Direct Lending Team and has more than 20 years of experience in private equity sponsor coverage and deal execution. Doug was most recently at Antares Capital covering the South, Southeast, Texas and Colorado markets. Prior to Antares, he was with the Global Sponsor Finance group at GE Capital and Heller Financial. Doug holds a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business, and an MBA from Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management.
Jared Talisman | Managing Director, Non-Sponsor Originations
Jared is an Originator on Principal's Direct Lending Team and has more than 15 years of experience in structured capital origination, transaction advisory and deal execution. Jared was previously with Stonehenge Capital where he originated, executed and managed structured credit transactions across various industries. Prior to Stonehenge, he held positions focused on structured capital transaction origination and execution at GrowthCap and North Sea Partners. Jared began his career as an investment banker at Lehman Brothers and an equity research analyst at Credit Suisse. Jared holds a Bachelor's Degree from McGill University and an MBA from Cornell University.
Jeff Milkie | Managing Director, Non-Sponsor Originations
Jeff is an Originator on Principal's Direct Lending Team and has more than 20 years of experience originating and executing private capital markets transactions. Jeff was previously with The Peakstone Group responsible for originating and executing private capital and M&A transactions, and was the Founder of GRM Capital, an independent sponsor. Prior to The Peakstone Group and GRM Capital, Jeff was Head of Investment Banking at Wipfli Corporate Finance Advisors and held investment banking positions with Citigroup and Merrill Lynch. Jeff started his career as a CPA at Price Waterhouse. Jeff earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and an MBA from The University of Texas McCombs School of Business.
Nick Piccirillo | Director, Sponsor Originations
Nick is an Originator on Principal's Direct Lending Team and has more than 10 years of experience in private equity sponsor coverage and deal execution. Nick was previously with Capital One covering sponsors in the East, leading transactions across a variety of industries. Prior to Capital One, Nick held positions in underwriting at Antares Capital. Nick began his finance career at GE Capital in the Sponsor Finance TMT group. Nick earned a Bachelor's Degree from the Fairfield University Dolan School of Business.
Russ Rowley, CFA | Managing Director, Underwriting
Russ is an Underwriter within Principal's Direct Lending business and is responsible for the diligence and structuring of new investments along with the oversight of portfolio companies. Russ is a member of the Direct Lending Investment Committee. Prior to joining Principal Direct Lending, Russ was a Managing Director within Global Fixed Income Research with leadership responsibility for the global investment grade credit research team. He has also served as a Portfolio Manager with responsibility for multiple asset class portfolios managed on behalf of Principal Life Insurance Company. Before joining Principal in 1993, Russ was a consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He received an MBA from the University of Illinois and a Bachelor's Degree in economics from Wheaton College. Russ holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Joe Sileo | Managing Director, Underwriting
Joe is an Underwriter within Principal's Direct Lending business and is responsible for the diligence and structuring of new investments along with the oversight of portfolio companies. Joe has over 20 years of experience within leveraged finance, capital markets and restructuring. Prior to joining Principal in 2021, Joe was the Head of Capital Markets for First Eagle's private credit team where he focused on originating, underwriting, structuring and syndicating transactions across a variety of industries. Joe was also a Managing Director at Citizens Bank within capital markets, focusing on private equity transactions and restructurings, and RBS Securities, where he was responsible for a $10 billion portfolio of distressed leveraged credits. Joe received a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Bucknell University.
Ryan Fick, CFA | Director, Underwriting
Ryan is an Underwriter within Principal's Direct Lending business and is responsible for the diligence and structuring of new investments along with the oversight of portfolio companies. Prior to joining the Direct Lending group, Ryan worked on the Principal High Yield team where he researched companies for high yield bond and leveraged loan strategies across a variety of Consumer, Communications, and Media industries. Prior to joining Principal in 2012, Ryan was an Analyst at Aviva Investors. Ryan earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Finance and Accounting from Central College and an MBA from the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. Ryan holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Laura Keffer | Director, Underwriting
Laura is an Underwriter within Principal's Direct Lending business and is responsible for the diligence and structuring of new investments along with the oversight of portfolio companies. Laura has 15 years of experience in direct lending. Prior to joining Principal, Laura served as a Relationship Manager and Deal Screener within the Sponsor and Specialties Group at Capital One. Laura began her career with GE Capital, with roles in audit, underwriting and portfolio management for family-owned, publicly traded and private equity backed businesses. Laura holds a Bachelor's Degree from John Carroll University and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Jeff May, CFA | Vice President, Underwriting
Jeff is an Underwriter within Principal's Direct Lending business and is responsible for the diligence and structuring of new investments along with the oversight of portfolio companies. Jeff joined Principal in 2009 and previously worked as a Senior Analyst on Principal's Investment Grade research team. During his time in Investment Grade, he researched investments across a range of companies in the Insurance, Consumer, Communications, Commodities, and Transportation industries. Jeff received a Bachelor's Degree in Finance from Iowa State University. Jeff holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Alexander Corbishley | Vice President, Underwriting
Alexander is an Underwriter within Principal's Direct Lending business and is responsible for the structuring, underwriting and portfolio management of middle markets credits. Alexander has nearly 10 years of experience in leveraged finance, within both underwriting and portfolio management. Alexander joined Principal in 2021 and previously worked as an AVP for Capital One's diversified industries leveraged finance team as well as previous experience in Europe in middle market leveraged lending. Alexander holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Ahria Haghpeykar | Senior Associate, Underwriting
Ahria joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2020 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Ahria worked as an Investment Banking Analyst at WoodRock & Co, where he was involved in numerous M&A and capital markets transactions across a broad range of industries. Ahria received a Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in College Station.
Jackie Osenbaugh, CFA | Associate, Underwriting
Jackie joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2021 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Jackie worked as an Analyst at BMO Harris Bank on the Sponsor Finance team where she was involved in underwriting various transactions in addition to ongoing portfolio monitoring responsibilities. Jackie earned a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from Taylor University and a Master's in Finance from IE Business School (Madrid, Spain). Jackie holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute.
Anthony Vikhter | Associate, Underwriting
Anthony joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2021 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Anthony worked as an Associate Analyst at Allstate Investments, where he worked across public and private assets. He supported the high yield, leveraged loan, and investment grade credit research teams to underwrite new debt issuances as well as the opportunistic investments team with screening, evaluation, and monitoring of co-investment and fund opportunities. Anthony received a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Lake Forest College.
Andrew Challenger, CFA | Associate, Underwriting
Andrew joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2021 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Andrew worked as a Credit Analyst at American Equity, covering Metals & Mining, Infrastructure, Banking, and Insurance on the US Private Placement team. He was responsible for underwriting new deals and portfolio monitoring. Prior to that, Andrew worked in the Transaction Advisory group at FTI Consulting. Andrew received a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Iowa. Andrew has earned the right to use the CFA designation.
Tucker Panciera | Associate, Underwriting
Tucker joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2022 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Tucker worked as an Associate at Capital One on the Leveraged Finance team where he was involved in underwriting various transactions in addition to ongoing portfolio monitoring responsibilities. Prior to Capital One, Tucker worked on the Disputes & Economics team at Ankura. Tucker earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance with a Minor in Economics from Fairfield University.
Hope Baisley | Analyst, Underwriting
Hope joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2022 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Hope worked as an Assurance Intern at PwC, covering various accounts within the Investment Management (IM) market team. Hope received a Bachelor's Degree from the Fordham University in public accounting, where she also was captain and four year member of the Fordham varsity women's soccer team.
Brandon Williams | Analyst, Underwriting
Brandon joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2022 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Brandon worked as an Analyst at Ares Management as part of their Asset back lending group concentrating on distressed opportunities, where he was involved in underwriting various transactions. Brandon earned a duel degree in Finance and Economics with a minor in Political Science from William Paterson University, where he also played on the Men’s basketball team and served as portfolio manager of the student investment club.
Chris Consolo | Analyst, Underwriting
Chris joined the Principal Direct Lending team in 2022 and is responsible for underwriting, diligence, credit structuring, and active portfolio monitoring. Prior to joining Principal, Chris worked as an Equity Research Intern at Sutton Place Capital Management, where he was involved in evaluating public securities and recommending investment strategies aligned with a targeted portfolio allocation. He began his career by starting his own business consulting for Amazon third-party vendors. Chris earned a Master’s degree in Global Finance from Fordham University and a dual Bachelor’s degree in Finance and International Business from University of Delaware.
Karl B. Goodman | Internal Counsel
Karl is Counsel within the Principal Financial Group legal department and is a member of the Direct Lending Investment Committee, which he also serves as Secretary. His role includes legal and compliance review of direct lending business operations, investing transactions, and strategic initiatives for Principal Global Investors, LLC. Prior to joining Principal in 2018, Karl was a Vice President at Prospect Capital Management, LLC, where he was responsible for providing a range of regulatory, corporate governance, and transactional legal services to Prospect and its affiliates, including Prospect Capital Corporation, a publicly-traded Business Development Company. Prior to joining Prospect, Karl was an Associate in the New York City office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, where he practiced in the Business and Finance Department. Karl earned his JD and LLM from the Duke University School of Law and his Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Stanford University.
Maggie Hibbs | Internal Counsel
Maggie is Counsel with the Principal Financial Group legal department. Maggie's role includes advising on legal and regulatory aspects of direct lending transactions as well as providing legal support for the operations of Principal Global Investors, LLC. Prior to joining Principal in 2022, Maggie spent almost eight years in private practice, chairing her firm's corporate transactional practice group for over two years and earning recognition by the Super Lawyers rating service. In private practice, Maggie primarily practiced in secured financings, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and Hart-Scott-Rodino Act compliance and represented clients in various industries, including fintech companies, insurance regulators, and government-sponsored banks. Maggie earned her JD from Drake University Law School and her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Luther College.
Mitch Maahs | Internal Counsel
Mitch is Counsel with the Principal Financial Group legal department. Mitch's role includes advising on legal and regulatory aspects of fixed income investing transactions as well as legal support for the operations of Principal Global Investors, LLC. Mitch joined Principal in 2020, after spending over six years in private practice, where Mitch developed a broad transactional practice earning recognition from the Best Lawyers peer review publication and the Super Lawyers rating service. In private practice, Mitch represented clients of various industries, ranging from publicly-traded companies to startups, and including state and local banks, in mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance, and various other business transactions in addition to corporate organization, corporate governance, and general contract matters. Mitch earned his JD from the University of Iowa, and his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Economics from the University of Northern Iowa. Mitch has also passed the uniform CPA examination.
Principal Alternative Credit maintains strong momentum in portfolio growth and has successfully closed transactions across a diversified range of industries, structures and sizes.
May 2022
Co-Lead Arranger
May 2022
Lead Arranger
& Administrative Agent
May 2022
Add-on Acquisition
March 2022
Leveraged Buyout
Joint Lead Arranger
March 2022
Recapitalization
March 2022
Add-on Acquisition
March 2022
Leveraged Buyout
Documentation Agent
February 2022
Add-on Acquisition
January 2022
Sole Lender & Administrative Agent
January 2022
Leveraged Buyout
Agent - Mezzanine Facility
January 2022
Joint Lead Arranger
Management Buyout
December 2021
Leveraged Buyout
December 2021
Add-on Acquisition
Mezzanine
December 2021
Add-on Acquisition
Incremental junior capital facility
December 2021
Leveraged Buyout
December 2021
Leveraged Buyout
Joint Lead Arranger
December 2021
Add-on Acquisition
December 2021
Refinancing
December 2021
Add-on Acquisition
Documentation Agent
December 2021
The use of the sponsor's logo in no way is intended to represent or imply an endorsement by the sponsor. Highlighted transactions profiles are intended to demonstrate the application of Principal Alternative Credit investment strategy and represents middle marketing lending transactions previously entered by Principal Alternative Credit. There is no guarantee that any future transactions will have the characteristics similar to those profiled.
We actively and intentionally manage risk of each loan and exposure across the portfolio. We prioritize appealing credit risk and structure rather than chasing yield.
Our team, process, and resources allow us to focus on less competitive aspects of the market, including lower middle market and non-sponsored opportunities. Our flexible solutions offered to borrowers and sponsors provide us a competitive advantage to originate loans that other lenders cannot address. Importantly, we underwrite to worst case scenario standards, based on historic cycles and potential negative future outcomes.
We invite you to take a closer look at our in-depth strategy profile and see how we align with our client's investment goals.
1Experience includes investment management activities of predecessor firms beginning with the investment department of Principal Life Insurance Company.
This material covers general information only and does not take account of any investor's investment objectives or financial situation and should not be construed as specific investment advice, a recommendation, or be relied on in any way as a guarantee, promise, forecast or prediction of future events regarding an investment or the markets in general. The opinions and predictions expressed are subject to change without prior notice. The information presented has been derived from sources believed to be accurate; however, we do not independently verify or guarantee its accuracy or validity. Any reference to a specific investment or security does not constitute a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold such investment or security, nor an indication that the investment manager or its affiliates has recommended a specific security for any client account. Subject to any contrary provisions of applicable law, the investment manager and its affiliates, and their officers, directors, employees, agents, disclaim any express or implied warranty of reliability or accuracy and any responsibility arising in any way (including by reason of negligence) for errors or omissions in the information or data provided.
Investing involves risk, include possible loss of principal invested. Investments in private debt, including leveraged loans, middle market loans, and mezzanine debt, are subject to various risk factors, including credit risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk.
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