In addition to combining for over 70 years of direct private equity experience, the Pharos team brings to the firm a diverse wealth of previous experiences including management, technology, medicine, investment banking, law, finance and consulting.

Joseph Acevedo, Associate
Joseph Acevedo is an Associate at Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Acevedo was Director of Business Development at Univision Communications, Inc. where he launched and managed the company’s home entertainment division. Previously, Mr. Acevedo performed valuation and due diligence at JP Morgan as an equity research analyst covering the telecommunications and media industries. Mr. Acevedo began his career with Merrill Lynch & Co. where he was involved with structuring and executing numerous public finance and fixed income transactions. Mr. Acevedo graduated from Harvard College with an A.B., cum laude, in Government and holds an M.B.A. in Finance from the Wharton School.

Bob Crants (click for bio)
Co-founder and Managing Partner

"Working at Pharos gives me the opportunity to interact with some of the best and brightest entrepreneurs in the country, and to assist them in the process of building their businesses. By focusing our attention in underserved markets, we also allow many entrepreneurs that otherwise might have limited chance of success due to lack of capital to pursue their dreams and create world-class businesses. I couldn’t have a more rewarding career."

Melinda Cullen, Controller
Melinda Cullen is Controller of Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Prior to joining the company in 2000, Ms. Cullen was with a New York Stock Exchange listed company from 1999 to 2000, where she was Director of Finance. Prior to that, she worked as Assistant Vice President of Strategic Analysis and Director of Accounting for Service Merchandise Co. Inc., as retailer, from 1993 to 1999. In addition, she was a senior auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. from 1990 to 1993. Ms. Cullen graduated from Auburn University with a B.S. in Business Administration and is a certified public accountant.

Kimberly Davis, Chief Financial Officer
Kimberly Davis is Chief Financial Officer of Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Prior to joining the company in 2000, Ms. Davis was with a New York Stock Exchange listed company from 1995 to 2000, where she worked in accounting, financial modeling, planning and analysis. Prior to that, she worked as an accountant in private industry. Ms. Davis graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a B.S. in Business Administration.

Michael Devlin (click for bio)
Co-founder and Managing Partner

"It is an incredibly rewarding experience working alongside talented entrepreneurs who are creating dynamic business models for our society. It is a privilege to assist in this highly creative process and one we take very seriously."

Joel Goldberg, Principal
Joel Goldberg is a Principal at Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Prior to joining the company and its predecessor entities in 1997, Mr. Goldberg was in the Corporate Finance Department of J.C. Bradford & Company where he was involved in numerous mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions and the issuance of public securities. While at J.C. Bradford, Mr. Goldberg focused on the health care, staffing, financial institutions and corrections industries. Mr. Goldberg graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.A., summa cum laude, in Economics and Mathematics and has eleven years of private equity experience.

Anna Kovalkova, Vice President
Anna Kovalkova is Vice President at Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Ms. Kovalkova joined Pharos and its predecessor entities as an Analyst after graduation from Belmont University with a B.B.A. in Finance in 1998. She has been responsible for reviewing and screening potential investment opportunities, industry research, financial analysis and modeling, due diligence and investor reporting. Prior to Belmont University, Ms. Kovalkova attended Finance Academy in Moscow, Russia from 1993 to 1995. She has more than eight years of private equity experience.

Jim Phillips, Partner
Jim Phillips is a Partner of Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Prior to joining the company and its predecessor entities in 1996, Mr. Phillips was with Goldman Sachs, serving in both its Equities Management Division and in Private Client Services. Mr. Phillips graduated from Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Management and from the University of Miami with an M.B.A. He has more than eleven years of private equity experience.

Ryan Shelton, Financial Analyst
Ryan Shelton joined Pharos Capital Group, LLC as an Analyst after graduating from the University of Texas in 2006 with a B.B.A. in Finance and a B.A. in Economics. Prior to joining Pharos, he worked at Fowler Valuation Services in Austin, Texas where he valued small and medium sized businesses for estate planning, shareholder buyouts, and mergers & acquisitions.

Kneeland Youngblood (click for bio)
Co-founder and Managing Partner

"Pharos strives to be one of the premier private equity firms by creating long term value for our limited partners and management teams through thoughtfulness, excellence and integrity."

Jonathan Youse, Manager of Accounting
Jonathan Youse is the Manager of Accounting at Pharos Capital Group, LLC. Prior to joining the company in 1998, Mr. Youse was with a New York Stock Exchange listed company from 1996 to 1998, where he worked in the office of the CEO, specifically on accounting, finance and operations related projects. Mr. Youse graduated from Belmont University with a B.B.A. in Accounting.