Veteran operator and transformation leader joins Vistria to expand value creation capabilities across the firm's portfolio

CHICAGO, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Vistria Group, LP ("Vistria"), a middle market private investment firm with deep sector expertise across essential industries, today announced that Jeff Hawkins has joined the firm as Head of the Portfolio Resources Group (PRG). Hawkins brings more than two decades of experience driving operational transformation and revenue growth across technology, healthcare, and professional services companies. Hawkins joins Vistria during a period of significant momentum for the firm following the return of more than $1 billion to investors in 2025. In his role, Hawkins will partner closely with Co-Presidents of Vistria's Flagship Funds, David Schuppan and Phil Alphonse as well as Vistria's investment teams to help portfolio companies accelerate growth and create long-term value.

"Jeff brings a rare combination of strategic rigor and hands-on operating experience," said Kip Kirkpatrick, Co-CEO of Vistria. "He has walked in the shoes of the CEOs and executive teams he'll be partnering with, and that perspective is exactly what our portfolio companies need as we scale PRG's impact across the firm."

Hawkins began his career as an intelligence collections officer in the U.S. Air Force before joining the National Security Agency. He went on to build a career across management consulting, operating leadership, and private equity. Throughout that journey, he served in senior leadership roles at TPG, AON, and Alix Partners and leadership positions at numerous portfolio companies. He has served as COO, President, and CRO, guiding organizations through transformational change and accelerated growth.

"Vistria's sector-focused approach is built on helping companies execute against their most important strategic priorities," said Phil Alphonse, Co-President of Vistria's Flagship Funds and Co-Head of Knowledge & Learning Solutions. "Jeff's experience driving operational improvement and organizational transformation makes him an ideal partner for management teams across our portfolio."

Hawkins has led several notable transformations and value-creation efforts, including:

- Serving as interim Chief Revenue Officer at a healthcare services company with $1.3 billion in revenue, where he repositioned the business's care model against traditional insurance offerings and accelerated growth across both its consumer and enterprise business lines, leading to a successful exit to UnitedHealth Group.

- Stepping in as CEO of a $70 million enterprise technology company, where he led a strategic overhaul of go-to-market strategy, product focus, and international operations, culminating in a 6x return on exit.

- Leading a major product and go-to-market transformation at a real-time operating systems technology company with $300 million in revenue, shifting the business from pursuing new customer logos to deepening penetration within its largest accounts, resulting in a 14x return on exit.

"I'm drawn to organizations that need to build something new, not just optimize what already exists," said Hawkins. "What I heard from the team at Vistria is that there are real opportunities across the portfolio for the kind of growth transformation work I've spent my career on. The timing, and the fit, felt right."

Hawkins holds an MBA and began his post-military career at Deloitte, where he helped build the firm's strategy practice from the ground up, before moving to JPMorgan Chase to lead a similar effort within its consumer bank.

"The Portfolio Resources Group is a key part of how we help portfolio companies translate strategy into results," said David Schuppan, Co-President of Vistria's Flagship Funds and Co-Head of Healthcare. "Jeff brings a proven track record of leading transformation, driving growth, and partnering with executive teams, making him an ideal leader for the next chapter of PRG."

As part of the evolution of Vistria's value-creation platform, Jon Samuels will assume the role of Senior Partner, Chief Impact and Policy Officer. In this position, he will continue to lead the firm's policy and regulatory efforts, helping portfolio companies navigate an increasingly complex policy environment where legislative and regulatory decisions play a critical role in shaping growth and outcomes. Samuels will also continue to lead Vistria's impact investment strategy, helping ensure the firm continues to integrate measurable social and economic outcomes into its investment approach.

"As Vistria continues to grow and evolve, Jeff's leadership will be instrumental in strengthening the operating capabilities we bring to our portfolio companies, while Jon's leadership will further strengthen our policy and impact platform," said Martin Nesbitt, Co-CEO of Vistria.

About The Vistria Group

The Vistria Group is building a new kind of private investment firm that seeks to deliver both financial returns and societal impact. It invests in essential industries like healthcare, knowledge & learning solutions, financial services and housing that deliver value for investors as well as communities, employees, and consumers. With $18 billion in AUM, The Vistria Group looks deeper by working as a true partner, drawing on its deep sector knowledge, operational expertise, unique network, diverse team, and impact orientation to achieve transformational growth. For more information, pl

SOURCE The Vistria Group

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