Investment consultant focusing on developing and implementing innovative technologies applied to private investing. Using technology-enabled capabilities, our goal is to enhance client trust, confidence and experience by helping independent and internalized investment managers systematically produce superior investment performance (defined as risk-adjusted returns and pace of capital deployment), client driven investment solutions, on either a discretionary and non-discretionary basis, and information transparency of investments, economics and markets that structurally drives accountability and actionable insights. Additionally, Mr. Sterling may serve on boards of directors or as an investment advisor.

A diversified private investment business focusing on sourcing, structuring, investing and risk managing debt and equity investments in US middle market companies. US Private Capital was a new platform with a growth strategy driven by acquisition and delivery of newly created client-centric, solutions-based investment portfolios. At inception, BlackRock acquired and contributed to US Private Capital the people and assets of BlackRock Kelso Capital Advisors, which included the investment management agreement for BlackRock Capital Investment Corporation. Mr. Sterling served as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of this publicly traded investment vehicle. During his tenure, he restructured the acquired operating business and a significant portion of the illiquid legacy portfolio, and he grew controlled AUM by nearly 20% (~14% IRR), created a $300 million first lien loan joint venture (~11% IRR) and, after restructuring its leadership team, expanded by ~70% it asset based lending partnership (~11% IRR).

Founded global capital markets business focused on the direct origination and investment in debt (high yield and investment grade), equity and equity-linked opportunities in both public and private markets with offices in New York, London and Hong Kong. Additionally, the business managed all BlackRock new issue investment activity involving third-parties, namely broker-dealers, banks and other investors. During his tenure, Global Capital Markets grew from a market innovative concept to a globally respected commercial activity deploying over tens-of-billions annually across several hundred originations representing multiple billions in fiduciary client economic value added. Mr. Sterling also led the creation of a late-stage private growth equity strategy that deployed multiple billions in new money investments that generated Gross IRRs and MOIC over 100% and nearly 2.0x, respectively.

US Credit focused on high yield investments in loans, bonds and, selectively, equities in CLO and GP/LP Hedge Fund structured formats. The business was largely leverage loan focused with a strategic move pre-crisis toward alternative total return and long/short credit strategies. Growth strategy was oriented toward acquisition and organic fundraising. The 2008 Global Financial Crisis altered our strategic intent as Mr. Sterling's focus was redirected to leading the team through the crisis with the objectives of protecting client capital and capturing value for clients presented by the market. We successfully accomplished these objectives including the recovery of 100% of client capital in a legacy distressed hedge fund. Mr. Sterling was recruited away to join BlackRock in early 2010 to create BlackRock Global Capital Markets.

Led the high yield capital markets team in originating, underwriting and syndicating both leverage loans and high yield bonds. The boutique nature of Bear Stearn's business afforded the opportunity to successfully create and implement a market leading innovation of converging high yield loan and bond capital markets. Mr. Sterling's goal was to increase competitiveness by delivering creative company-focused financing solutions. Tactically, converging roles enhanced our perspective (thinking across capital structures and markets) to see gaps that were potential opportunities, enabled us to attract fundamentally oriented talent that enabled us to do more challenging deals, and provided individual incentives to think agnostically and without conflict about high yield corporate finance solutions rather than product. Prior to transitioning to investment management, Mr. Sterling led his team during the onset of the Global Financial Crisis and was directly involved in managing / negotiating the de-risking of Bear Stearns' high yield credit exposure with the sole goal of getting liquidity.

Mr. Sterling was responsible for the leverage loan business within fixed income (risk: $100+ billion), including approving underwriting risk, trading activity and portfolio management (risk: $10 billion) as the business leader and voting member of the Firm's High Yield Commitments Committee. Mr. Sterling was integral to rebuilding Lehman's leverage finance business whose success was acknowledged with the IFR Leverage Finance House of the Year award (2001). He led innovations that have become industry standards, including LIBOR Floor (deal: Tesoro), Loan OID (deal: ANC Rental), and MLP "Back-Levered" LBO's (deal: Madison-Dearborn/Riverstone LBO of Williams Pipeline). Further, Mr. Sterling was an early leader in developing liquidity for challenging credits or in difficult markets through primary distribution to hedge funds (deals: PG&E and Williams Companies, 2000/01).

Led 3 business units including: Head of West Coast (Sponsor) Leverage Finance; Head of Energy and Chemical Loan Syndication; and Head of Healthcare, Retail and Middle Market Loan Syndication. Mr. Sterling led leverage finance and loan syndication teams (both IG / HY) for large corporate and middle market credits in San Francisco, Dallas and New York. Mr. Sterling completed a formal credit training program and started his career in direct middle market lending.