Dennis Dunn

Dennis Dunn

is the Founder and Managing Member of D2 Equity Capital, and leads the execution of the firm’s acquisition strategy in conjunction with Freestyle Capital professionals. In employing the complementary financial/operating executive model which Mr. Dunn has followed throughout most of his career, selected operating executives, profiled below, are actively engaged in executing transactions and in assisting management of acquired businesses post-closing.

Prior to founding D2, Mr. Dunn served as managing Director of Carlisle Enterprises, LLC, a San Diego-based private equity firm comprised primarily of former Fortune 500 operating executives. During his 20 year tenure at Carlisle, the firm acquired over 75 companies with aggregate revenues of over $5.0 billion. Mr. Dunn was actively involved in all phases of Carlisle’s acquisition program, which targeted middle and lower-middle market companies in industrial manufacturing and services, business services and selected consumer segments. Beginning in 2004, Mr. Dunn led the development and execution of Carlisle’s Small Business Initiative (“SBI”). The SBI was a strategy targeting businesses with revenues of $10.0 million to $40.0 million, which leveraged the firm’s capabilities and experience in the firm’s historical targeted industry sectors. Mr. Dunn served on the boards of numerous Carlisle portfolio companies, and remains active on the board of MSA Aircraft Products, an existing portfolio company.

Prior to joining Carlisle, Mr. Dunn began his private equity career as Principal at J.B Poindexter & Co. His responsibilities there included leading the acquisitions of small businesses engaged in industrial manufacturing, distribution and service segments, and developing a portfolio of leading companies in truck body and accessories manufacturing, steel distribution, specialty metal alloy investment casting and machining, and floor coverings manufacturing and distribution.

Prior to his acquisitions experience, Mr. Dunn worked with McKinsey & Company, an international general management consulting firm. Mr. Dunn contributed to a number of strategic management, marketing, organizational, and internal efficiency improvement engagements while at McKinsey. Mr. Dunn began his professional career with Conoco Inc., now a part of ConocoPhillips, an international integrated energy company, in the company's domestic oil and gas exploration division. He holds a B.S. in Administrative Science from Yale University and an M.B.A. from Stanford University.