Partnering with Management to Maximize Value
Our team, led by seasoned professionals, are at the heart of Crux Capital's success. With a focus on the lower middle market, we leverage our expertise to identify and capitalize on opportunities that drive value for both our portfolio companies and limited partners. Our Managing Partner is Wayne Moore, a leader with a passion for nurturing companies in the consumer and services sectors. Before founding Crux Capital, he excelled at several large financial institutions and co-founded two successful hedge funds. Wayne is joined by a dynamic team of investment and operations experts at Crux Capital. Our people have accumulated a wealth of experience that now guides the firm's mission to unlock potential and create lasting value.
Managing Partner
Wayne Moore
Since 2003, Wayne Moore has profitably invested in both private and public companies across multiple industries. Now at Crux Capital, Wayne is focused entirely on investing in and growing private businesses.
Before starting Crux Capital, he was a Co-Founder, Partner and Director of Research of Lunia Capital. Wayne was involved in all aspects of the management of the $400 million low‐net equity hedge fund from 2017 to 2018. During his tenure, he was responsible for investment research and hiring all employees. Prior to launching Lunia Capital, Wayne was a Director at Carlson Capital, which he joined in 2011. At Carlson, he managed investments across consumer, technology and industrial sectors as part of a market-neutral paired equity portfolio. Before Carlson Capital, Wayne was Co-Founder and Partner at YX Funds, a $350 million short-only hedge fund for institutional investors. From 2005 to 2011, Wayne and his partner oversaw the portfolio management, operations and fundraising of the firm. From 2003 to 2005, he was an Associate at SKM Growth Investors, an affiliate of the $1.5 billion private equity firm Saunders Karp & Megrue. Prior to working in private equity, Wayne worked for Citigroup’s investment bank, Salomon Smith Barney, focusing on mergers and acquisitions.
Education
Texas A&M University
Graduated Cum Laude with BBA in Finance; National Merit and President’s Endowed Scholar
Chartered Financial Analyst
principal
James Kay
James Kay serves as a Principal for Crux Capital. He has spent his career investing in lower middle market companies. During that time, James has partnered with family-owned businesses, and management teams, grown companies through industry consolidation and led organic expansion initiatives. He completed numerous acquisitions, refinancings, and sale processes in a variety of industries.
Prior to this role, James spent more than 4 years at Insight Equity, a Dallas-based, operationally focused private equity firm managing more than $1.5 billion in assets under management. At Insight Equity, he was responsible for all aspects of deal sourcing, evaluation, and execution of acquisitions. James also partnered with portfolio company management to execute strategic and operational initiatives. Prior to joining Insight Equity, James worked in investment banking for Stephens Inc., where he focused on mergers and acquisitions and assisted Stephens Capital Partners in the evaluation of control and non-control investments.
Education
Auburn University
Graduated Cum Laude with BSBA in Finance
Vice president
Jack Livers
Jack Livers serves as a Vice President for Crux Capital. Jack is responsible for identifying investment opportunities, deal execution and portfolio company monitoring. Previously he worked at private equity firm Gauge Capital and was focused on evaluating investments, carrying out due diligence analyses and supporting portfolio company management teams. During that time, he partnered with management teams to grow companies through industry consolidation and organic expansion initiatives. Jack completed numerous acquisitions, primarily in the consumer and services industries at Gauge Capital.
Prior to joining Gauge, Jack worked as an Associate at Stephens, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions in the Media sector. He began his career at KPMG, where he focused on third-party valuation analysis for business combinations and intangible asset valuations.
Education
Oklahoma State University
Graduated with distinction with a BA in Finance and Accounting; National Merit Scholar
Operating Partner
Steven Benavides
Steven Benavides serves as an Operating Partner for Crux Capital. He has over 15 years of experience providing operational and strategic guidance to management teams across a variety of businesses.
Prior to this role, Steven was heavily engaged with Superscapes as an outside advisor to the executive team and helped grow the company since 2008. In addition to his involvement with Superscapes, Steven has founded and invested in a wide range of companies over his 28-year career. He currently serves as President of TLS Investments, a real estate development and holding company focusing on land development in far north Dallas. Steven also serves as Operating Partner for Foley Custom Pools, one of the largest residential swimming pool construction companies in Dallas/Ft. Worth. From 2008 to 2011, he founded and developed AuctionTrac, LLC, a software company focused on the automotive auction industry and was acquired by KAR Auction Services, one of the two largest automotive auction companies in North America.
Education
Southern Methodist University
Graduated Cum Laude with BS in Applied Mathematics and BS in Economics
uncommon brands CEO
Garrett Mills is the CEO of Uncommon Brands, a Crux Capital investment vehicle and portfolio company. He is a seasoned executive with a remarkable track record in the restaurant industry.
Previously, Garrett was a Senior Director at Peak Franchise Capital, focusing on restaurant mergers and acquisitions. Prior to Peak, he served as the President and CEO of Chandler Hospitality Group, a restaurant holding company based in Oklahoma. At Chandler, Garrett oversaw a portfolio of over 60 units operating in 9 states across multiple brands. He was instrumental in the company's development of new brands and served in financial and strategic roles prior to running the overall business. After earning his MBA from Northwestern University, Garrett worked for Goldman Sachs in the investment management division. Before business school, he spent 6 seasons as a professional athlete in the National Football League. Garrett played as a tight end for several NFL franchises, including the New England Patriots.
Education
Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
Master of Business Administration
The University of Tulsa
Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management
