Our Team
Jay Yook is a Managing Partner and Founder at Architect Equity, where he leads the Firm’s investment strategy, portfolio company initiatives, and investor relationships, as well as the day-to-day operations of the Firm. With more than twenty years of private equity experience (nineteen at partner level), Mr. Yook has specialized in sourcing, executing, managing, and improving underperforming businesses across multiple sectors including Consumer, Industrials, Media, Technology, and Services.
Prior to forming Architect, Mr. Yook was a Founding Partner at OpenGate Capital from the firm’s inception in 2005 until 2016 when the firm raised its first institutional fund. At OpenGate he was responsible for managing a global portfolio of special situations investments and was a senior voting member of its investment and portfolio committees. Mr. Yook also helped lead the firm’s evolution from a two-person independent sponsor to a global investment firm with teams operating out of Los Angeles and Paris.
Previously, Mr. Yook held positions at Platinum Equity, CIBC, and Merrill Lynch.
Mr. Yook received a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Jay enjoys reading up on US foreign and domestic policies, and in his free time, he enjoys being outdoors.
Dionisio Lucchesi is a Managing Partner and Founder at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for managing the investment sourcing, qualification, and execution of M&A transactions, as well as the day-to-day operations of the Firm. With twenty years of private equity experience (twelve years at partner level), Mr.Lucchesi has specialized in sourcing, executing, and managing underperforming businesses across multiple sectors including Consumer, Industrials, Media, Technology, and Services.
Prior to forming Architect, Mr. Lucchesi helped form Regent Equity Partners and was a Senior Vice President at OpenGateCapital. In those roles, Mr. Lucchesi built the respective firm’s sourcing functions, including hiring and training business development professionals. Additionally, Mr. Lucchesi sourced and executed investments across corporate divestitures, venture-backed recapitalizations, bank-led workout situations, and family office portfolio sales.
Previously, Mr. Lucchesi was a Senior Associate at Parallax Capital Partners.
Mr. Lucchesi received a B.A. in Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University.
Dionisio was born and raised in a small farming community in Northern California and enjoys spending his time out of the office with his wife and children.
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Eric Luoma is a Principal on the Investment Execution team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for transaction execution of the target portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Architect in 2019, Mr. Luoma was a Vice President at CriticalPoint Capital and a Senior Associate at OpenGateCapital. Previously, Mr. Luoma focused on distressed credit and business turn arounds at Woodside Capital and began his career in the Transaction Advisory practice at KPMG.
Mr. Luoma received an M.B.A. degree from Goizueta Business School at Emory University and a B.A. in Economics from Hamilton College.
Eric is an outdoor enthusiast and an aspiring endurance athlete. He enjoys the Southern California climate, and outside of the office can be found surfing in the ocean or cycling and trail running in the mountains.
Brent Silverman is a Vice President on the Business Development team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for sourcing and qualifying investment opportunities for the Firm and its portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Architect in 2020, Mr. Silverman worked in the commercial lending industry at First National Capital Corporation.
Mr. Silverman received a B.S. in Finance from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.
In his free time, Brent enjoys spending time with family and friends, and traveling… especially to Arizona.
Rick Bigelow is an Operating Partner on the Portfolio Operations team at Architect Equity. Mr. Bigelow is responsible for oversight of portfolio operations and is involved in evaluating buy and sell-side opportunities across the firm.
Prior to joining Architect in 2024, Mr. Bigelow was Senior Vice President of Operations at Skyview Capital, Managing Director at Revolution Capital Group, and a member of the Operations Group at Platinum Equity. At those firms, Mr. Bigelow lead transition and operations of numerous portfolio companies. Mr. Bigelow’s experience has crossed many industries taking in technology software development, services, and the manufacturing/distribution of consumer goods.
Mr. Bigelow received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance at Washington State University.
Rick is married and has two children. In his free time, he enjoys road biking and spending time with family and friends.
Jeff Giery is a Vice President on the Portfolio Operations team at Architect Equity, where he works directly with portfolio companies providing operational support and oversight.
Prior to joining Architect Equity in 2019, Mr. Giery worked in Operations and Business Development for ImpactPPA, a renewable energy startup. Previously, he was Director of Operations at an early-stage investment group in Los Angeles and was an Associate covering the Hedge Fund and Private Equity Groups at GLG.
Mr. Giery received a B.S. in Real Estate Development from the Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California.
In his free time, Jeff enjoys paddling, fishing, surfing, camping, and whooping Andrew Brown in ping pong.
Angel Barton is a Vice President on the Portfolio Operations team at Architect Equity, where she is responsible for managing Human Resources across the Firm, including strategic initiatives, compliance, policies and procedures, and workforce development. Ms. Barton is also focused on diligence, execution, and transition planning.
Previously, Ms. Barton was Director of Human Resources for Aeromatrix, one of Architect’s portfolio companies, where she helped with recruiting, regulatory compliance, policies, procedures, analyzing laws, and strategic leadership. Prior to that, she worked at AAR, BELAC LLC, JV with Chromalloy GasTurbine Corp., and Bay Dermatology.
Ms. Barton received a B.A. in History from George Mason University. She has her HRCI-PHR certification, SHRM-CP certification, and is a Notary Public.
Ray Cho is General Counsel on the Portfolio Operations team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for legal matters affecting the Firm and its portfolio companies.
Mr. Cho also serves as the General Counsel at Timec, one of Architect’s portfolio companies. Prior to joining Architect in 2023 and Timec in 2018, Mr. Cho worked at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Previously, he worked in the legal department at Google Inc., and held a senior role at SRS Acquoim, an M&A fintech company.
Mr. Cho received a J.D. and M.I.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Claremont McKenna College. He is a member of the state bars of California and Texas and is a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.
Ray enjoys traveling with his wife and daughter, reading science fiction, and listening to live jazz. He is a fan of Arsenal Football Club.
Kyle Juedes is a Vice President on the Portfolio Operations team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for providing operational support and reporting for Architect and its portfolio companies.
Mr. Juedes joined Architect in 2020 as a Business Development Associate, where he sourced numerous opportunities. Previously, Mr. Juedes was an Analyst at Cebron Group, a private equity firm based in California.
Mr. Juedes received an M.S. in Financial Analysis from the University of San Francisco and a B.S. in Economic Administration from the University of California, Riverside.
In his free time, Kyle enjoys playing spikeball at the beach and trying new restaurants in the LA area.
Andrew Brown is a Senior Associate on the Investment Execution team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for qualifying and executing investment opportunities.
Mr. Brown joined Architect in 2019 as a Business Development Associate, where he sourced numerous opportunities.
Mr. Brown received a B.S. in Psychology from San Diego State University.
In his free time, Andrew enjoys playing golf and dominating office ping-pong tournaments.
Noah Magaziner is a Senior Associate on the Business Development team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for sourcing and qualifying investment opportunities for the Firm and its portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Architect in 2022, Mr. Magaziner was an Associate at GLG.
Mr. Magaziner received a B.S. in Finance from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware.
In his free time, Noah enjoys playing basketball and rooting for Philadelphia sports teams.
Nick Keller is a Senior Associate on the Business Development team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for sourcing and qualifying investment opportunities for the Firm and its portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Architect in 2022, Mr. Keller was an Analyst at General Pacific Capital, a succession advisory firm based in Idaho.
Mr. Keller received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder.
In his free time, Nick enjoys playing the guitar, exploring the Santa Monica Mountains, and playing pick-up basketball games at Venice Beach.
Kai Henderson is an Associate on the Business Development team at Architect Equity, where he is responsible for sourcing and qualifying investment opportunities for the Firm and its portfolio companies.
Prior to joining Architect in 2023, Mr. Henderson was Head of Growth at Contrebleu, an eyeglass company based in California.
Mr. Henderson received a B.A. in Communication from the University of Southern California.
In his free time, Kai enjoys traveling, listening to new music, and rooting for USC football.
Michael Lipski is an Operating Advisor at Architect Equity and the President and CEO of Faultless Brands, one of Architect’s portfolio companies. With an extensive background in sales, marketing, and innovation, he advises select Architect portfolio companies while providing due diligence support for new platform and add-on acquisitions.
Prior to joining Architect and Faultless Brands in 2020, Mr. Lipski was responsible for rebuilding business models for multiple global automotive OEM organizations, which resulted in top and bottom-line growth within sales, distribution, and customer satisfaction. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Horizon Global Corporation, a manufacturer and distributor of custom-engineered towing, trailering, cargo management, and other related accessory products in North America, Australia, and Europe, where he led the turnaround of the America’s organization as a key stakeholder of the executive team.
Previously, Mr. Lipski worked at Jabil Circuit, where he led revenue growth of $2 billion and margin expansion for the Automotive and Transportation Sector by establishing an account management system to reshape the go-to-market strategy of the business. He has also held executive positions at the Mann + Hummel Group, Gabriel Ride Control, Sound United, Riverpark Incorporated, Visteon, and Ford Motor Company.
Mr. Lipski received a B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing) from Eastern Michigan University and an A.D. in Applied Science from the State University of New York.
Jack Hall is an Operating Advisor at Architect Equity, where he advises select Architect portfolio companies and provides due diligence support for new platform and add-on acquisitions. Mr. Hall is an innovative operational and engineering leader with over thirty years of experience and an established track record of managing matrixed organizations on a global basis.
Prior to joining Architect in 2020, Mr. Hall was the Vice President and General Manager at Arconic, an industrial machinery manufacturer, where he led all facets of the global aluminum extrusion business and was responsible for the transformation of its Lafayette, Indiana-based plant through lean operational practices. Previously, he was Vice President and General Manager at Tenneco, an automotive components manufacturer, where he led customer management, operations, engineering, and quality control.
Prior, Mr. Hall had an extensive career at Johnson Controls across numerous functional roles including engineering and operations with profit and loss oversight. At Johnson Controls, he helped triple the size of the Asian engineering organization while based in Shanghai, China, and was also the General Manager, responsible for the European hybrid battery business.
Mr. Hall received both an M.S. and a B.S. in Aerospace & Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois.
Dan Pace is an Operating Advisor at Architect Equity, where he advises select Architect portfolio companies and provides due diligence support for new platform and add-on acquisitions
Mr. Pace also serves as President at Cheridan, a business consultancy company. Prior to joining Architect in 2021, Mr. Pace was a Vice President at Gentherm, a global developer and marketer of thermal management technologies, where he led global sales operations, and had cross-functional authority over various aspects of the business. Mr. Pace is an experienced leader with decades of direct responsibility in strategic planning, business structuring, sales, and product development, including direct profit and loss responsibility and leadership of market development and growth. He has extensive experience in new technology introduction, sales, market expansion, research & development, technical, financial, and program management, M&A, and patent and intellectual property strategies.
Jim Price is an Operating Advisor at Architect Equity and the President of TIMEC Oil & Gas, one of Architect’s portfolio companies. With an in-depth understanding and experience in operations management coupled with strong leadership skills, he advises select Architect portfolio companies while providing due diligence support for new platform and add-on acquisitions.
Prior to joining Architect and TIMEC in 2020, Mr. Price held senior positions for several large firms performing Industrial Construction, Maintenance, and Turnaround Services across the Energy markets. He has broad field and management experience throughout his 45+ years in the business.
Mr. Price received his B.S. from Penn State University and his M.S. in Engineering from Northeastern University.
Jim relocated to the West Coast in 2011 with his wife and three children and currently resides in Southern California.
Emma Anderson is the Office Manager at Architect Equity, where she oversees the daily operations of the office and its various departments.
Prior to joining Architect in 2023, Ms. Anderson was working in the events space as an Events Coordinator at The Rose and The Distinguished Speaker Series.
Ms. Anderson received her B.S. in Planning, Public Policy, and Management from the University of Oregon and is a Notary Public.
In her free time, Emma enjoys going to the beach, hiking, and playing with her beloved dog.
