Our People

Ali Bajwa is responsible for managing the transition of newly acquired companies into Platinum Equity’s portfolio. He also has responsibilities related to post-transition monitoring and oversight of operational performance at certain portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2016, Mr. Bajwa held positions at Motorola and PwC where he focused on performance improvement initiatives, acquisition integration and divestiture management strategies for private equity portfolio companies and Fortune 500 businesses.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business (Accounting and Finance) from Indiana University.

Stephanie Barter oversees Platinum Equity’s in-house M&A Operations group, a team comprising functional experts across a wide range of operational disciplines that conducts due diligence on prospective acquisitions. She works closely with Platinum Equity’s M&A teams to deploy diligence resources and ensure that a comprehensive analysis of each prospective investment is completed. Based on the knowledge acquired during diligence, the M&A Operations team also works hand-in-hand with Platinum Equity’s Portfolio Operations group to develop detailed post-acquisition transition, integration and long-term business plans tailored to the needs of the acquired business.

A member of Platinum Equity’s M&A Operations team, Eric Berlin specializes in commercial and operational due diligence for credit investments. In that capacity he is responsible for the development and monitoring of post-acquisition transition and value creation plans.

Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2018, Mr. Berlin served as Senior Operating Executive at Cerberus Capital, and Director at AlixPartners. He also held roles at Exxon Chemical Company and Bain & Company.

Mr. Berlin holds an undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering cum laude from Princeton University, and a Master’s of Business Administration with honors from The Tuck School at Dartmouth College.

Christian Cook is responsible for managing the transition of newly acquired companies into Platinum Equity’s portfolio. He also has responsibilities related to post-transition monitoring and oversight of operational performance at certain portfolio companies.

Mr. Cook was most recently with AlixPartners where he focused on the operational improvements and cost reduction opportunities during M&A and restructuring. Prior to AlixPartners, Christian was a Senior Manager with Deloitte.

Mr. Cook holds an undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He also holds a Master’s of International Business Studies degree from University of South Carolina. Christian has spoken at the Wharton School and numerous M&A and restructuring panels.

Brandon Crawley is responsible for managing the transition of newly acquired companies into Platinum Equity’s portfolio. He also has responsibilities related to post-transition monitoring and oversight of operational performance at certain portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2013, Mr. Crawley held positions at Alvarez and Marsal and PriceWaterhouseCoopers where he focused on the performance improvement and acquisition integration strategies for private equity portfolio companies across a variety of industries.

Mr. Crawley holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Indiana State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

Bibi Di Serio is responsible for legal and compliance diligence on Platinum Equity’s M&A Operations team.

Prior to joining Platinum Equity as an Assistant General Counsel in 2001, Ms. Di Serio served as in house counsel for several technology companies before starting her own practice providing contract General Counsel services to technology businesses. Beginning in 2012, Ms. Di Serio served as the General Counsel for Platinum Equity’s portfolio company Chassix, Inc., a $1 billion revenue global manufacturing business, returning to Platinum Equity in 2015.

Ms. Di Serio holds an undergraduate degree from Suffolk University and a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School. Ms. Di Serio also holds a Certificate in Computer & Digital Forensics from Champlain College.

Dan Frich is primarily responsible for commercial and operational due diligence on Platinum Equity’s M&A Operations team. Mr. Frich has also worked with several Platinum operating companies post-acquisition to drive accelerated launch of initiatives and ensure successful exit.

Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2012, Mr. Frich served as a Director at AlixPartners and Vice President at Foamex International. He also held positions at Lyondell Chemical Company and Arco Chemical Company.

Jared Hutchins is responsible for managing the transition of newly acquired companies into Platinum Equity’s portfolio. He also has responsibilities related to post-transition monitoring and oversight of operational performance at certain portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Platinum Equity in 2016, Mr. Hutchins held positions at TPG, Alvarez and Marsal and Textron.

Mr. Hutchins holds a BBA in Supply Chain Management and Marketing from Texas Christian University.

Bryan Kelln is a Partner, President of Portfolio Operations and member of Platinum Equity's Investment Committee. He is responsible for all aspects of business strategy and operations at Platinum Equity's portfolio companies, and is involved in evaluating buy and sell-side opportunities across the firm. He works closely with the firm's Operations Team as well as portfolio company executive management to drive strategic initiatives and to deploy operational resources.

Mr. Kelln is a seasoned executive with a strong track record of conceiving and executing successful strategic and operational transformation programs across a broad range of different industries. His unique combination of financial, management, M&A and operational expertise are well suited to helping create value within Platinum’s portfolio companies.