Michael Del Pero and Muizz Kheraj, leaders in Industrials and Technology Services investment banking, respectively, further bolster Cascadia’s industry expertise
Cascadia Capital, a leading investment bank for middle-market companies, is pleased to announce the addition of two new Managing Directors — Michael Del Pero and Muizz Kheraj — who will be based in its Los Angeles office. These hires reflect Cascadia’s ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in the Southern California market while enhancing its expertise in the Technology Services and Specialty Industrial sectors and further investing in its advisory capabilities across key industry sub-verticals. With a combined transaction history of over $10 billion, Mr. Del Pero and Mr. Kheraj bring a wealth of expertise that will directly benefit Cascadia’s clients, helping them navigate complex markets and achieve successful outcomes.
Cascadia first opened its Los Angeles office in 2015 and has since strategically focused on growing its market position, particularly following its growth equity financing from Atlas Merchant Capital in 2022. Over the past several years, Vice Chairman Christian Schiller has spearheaded efforts to deepen the firm’s reach across Southern California. The addition of Michael Del Pero and Muizz Kheraj represents a significant step in Cascadia’s strategic growth plan within the Southern California area. Cascadia intends to leverage these hires to continue to build its middle-market investment banking position in this important market. The firm looks forward to further expansion in Los Angeles with additional hires and continued investment in its industry-specific expertise.
This year alone, Cascadia has added eleven new managing directors across its investment banking platform, reflecting the firm’s focus on building industry-leading expertise, augmenting its products and services, and expanding its geographic footprint to better serve its clients.
“We are thrilled to welcome both Michael and Muizz to our team,” said Michael Butler, CEO of Cascadia Capital. “Their industry expertise and long-standing relationships in the Los Angeles and Southern California markets will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence in this region and enhance our advisory services in the technology services and industrial sectors nationally and internationally. We look forward to supporting them as they build their businesses on the Cascadia platform.”
Scott Ames, Managing Director and Head of Cascadia’s Financial Sponsors Group, will partner with Mr. Del Pero and Mr. Kheraj to strengthen the firm’s relationships with leading private equity groups in the Los Angeles market. Scott expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, “There is vast potential waiting to be realized in the Southern California private equity ecosystem. I’m excited to collaborate with Muizz and Michael to elevate our collaboration and growth in the region.”
Michael Del Pero: Leading Investment Banker in Serving the Specialty Industrials Market
Michael Del Pero joins Cascadia’s Industrials team, bringing two decades of M&A and financial advisory experience. He has worked with founders, entrepreneurs, and private equity investors across the middle market, as well as publicly traded companies in both the U.S. and internationally. Mr. Del Pero’s particular expertise lies in advising companies in specialized industries serving technically advanced OEM customers and applications where highly-engineered products and manufacturing processes are required, such as high-reliability electronics and components, mission-critical systems, materials technology, and engineered solutions. His clients span the Aerospace & Defense, Semiconductor, and Industrial Technology sectors. His impressive track record includes a multitude of financing and restructuring transactions, many of which have driven transformational growth for companies at the forefront of innovation.
“Cascadia’s commitment to industry depth and client service aligns with my own approach and philosophy,” said Mr. Del Pero. “I’m very excited to be part of such a collaborative team that is rapidly growing in the Southern California market and helping companies in the Industrial sector navigate the next chapter of their growth. Muizz and I have worked together for nearly twenty years now — across multiple investment banking platforms — and I am particularly excited to be partnering with him again here at Cascadia to continue to expand the firm’s presence in Southern California and beyond.”
Mr. Del Pero previously led the Specialty Industrials practice at FocalPoint Partners and subsequently at B. Riley Securities, pursuant to B. Riley’s acquisition of FocalPoint in 2022. His extensive experience and client relationships in the Los Angeles area position him as a valuable addition to Cascadia’s Industrials practice. Mr. Del Pero earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economic sociology from UCLA, with a specialization in business administration.
Muizz Kheraj: Leading Investment Banker in Serving the Technology Services and Digital Media Markets
Muizz Kheraj joins Cascadia with more than 20 years of experience, both as a software engineer and as a trusted advisor to middle-market entrepreneurs. His career has been defined by a focus on innovation and capital market solutions for fast-growing technology companies. Muizz has become a go-to expert for tech entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses, with an outstanding track record of successfully guiding numerous transactions that have accelerated growth and innovation.
“Cascadia’s growth mindset and dedication to client success are something I deeply value,” said Mr. Kheraj. “I look forward to leveraging my relationships with founders, entrepreneurs, and financial sponsors in the Los Angeles market and nationally to help companies in the technology sector thrive.”
Muizz previously led the M&A technology practice at FocalPoint Partners and then B. Riley Securities. He holds an MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from UCLA. His unique blend of technical and advisory expertise positions him to strengthen Cascadia’s technology advisory capabilities on both a local and national level.
As we continue to expand our footprint and enhance our capabilities, Cascadia Capital remains committed to leveraging our deep industry expertise to drive exceptional outcomes for our clients. This year’s growth, underscored by the strategic hiring of our new managing directors, positions us to deliver even greater value and innovative solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the markets we serve. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the positive impact our expanded team will have on our clients’ success.