About Us

Meridian General is a private investment firm that invests in companies with $20-200M in revenue that operate in our core industries.

Business Services
Aerospace & Aviation
Technology
E-Commerce

 

Manufacturing Services
Packaging
Distribution & Logistics
Telecommunications

Niche Manufacturing
Healthcare Related

 

Meridian General is a private investment firm based in Los Angeles, CA. We acquire and oversee management of the acquired companies until exit to ensure successful outcomes.

Established in 2002, we have a successful track record of more than 20 years in acquiring, managing, and guiding the growth of portfolio companies. Our recent equity investments are made through our Meridian General Capital Fund, which is primarily made up of private and family office capital. It also invests alongside other private equity groups as co-investment partners.

Meridian General Capital has raised over $250 million of committed capital supporting more than 15 portfolio companies. For more than 18 years, we have partnered with management teams to provide them the financial resources, strategic guidance and a wide network to assist them in achieving their goals. Our experience has enabled us to effectively stand by our companies as they launch new products, expand into new areas globally, and ultimately realize their full potential.

Our Philosophy

Meridian General Capital invests in companies that have unique characteristics and can use our resources to amplify success in their markets. We believe that if the management of these companies is given the support, guidance the needed resources and are fully empowered, they will flourish. This philosophy has been a successful trait in each of our past and present investments.

Integrity in everything we do

Focus on achieving our goals

Disciplined management

Relentless pursuit of success

Leadership

Acquiring and managing to ensure successful outcomes since 2002.

RAVI RAO

Founder & Chairman

Ravi has several decades of business management experience from managing large organizations to owning and operating his own companies. His experience in M & A began when he acquired his first company from then employer Air France. He takes an active role in selecting the target companies to acquire and is involved in the entire acquisition process. He then serves on boards of the acquired entities and provides oversight of portfolio companies until exit from the investment. He works closely with his investor partners who include high net-worth individuals, fund-to-fund managers, family offices, partner equity funds, mezzanine lenders, and other financial institutions.

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Most recently, Mr. Rao helped found Skyview Capital and led most of their acquisitions. He also provided oversight through board membership of all of its portfolio companies from 2005 until February of 2013.

Previously as Chairman & CEO of Global Leisure, Inc. he rolled up several leading wholesale travel brands that generated revenues of $250M with an employee base of 450. Mr. Rao successfully divested some of his portfolio companies to billionaire Carl Icahn. He sold several other subsidiaries to entities in the travel and e-commerce industries.

Prior to his role in the private equity world, Mr. Rao held several other key executive positions including: SVP at Evergreen International Airlines, CEO of Airlift USA, CEO of Salence Technology, Regional General Manager of Air France, British Airways, Swissair and Director of Circle Airfreight for their Latin American operations.

Mr. Rao holds an MBA and BS in Business Administration from Alliant International University (USIU) in San Diego. He also completed undergraduate degrees in the subjects of Geography, Geology and Astronomy from the University of Madras in India.

Mr. Rao also served as Special Advisor to the Tax Reform Workshop in 2001 in Washington DC, and subsequently was made House Majority Trust member of the US Congress. He has been a guest speaker and served on panels at various industry and trade organizations. Mr. Rao was featured as America’s Top Leaders in the Travel Industry in 1998, and one of his operating companies (Maupintour) received a World’s Best award by Travel & Leisure magazine in 1999.

As an investor and advisor, Mr. Rao serves on the boards of Silver Spur Corp and PowderCoat Services LLC. Previously, he has served on the boards of NewNet Communications Technologies LLC, Media Market Group, LLC (HotelReservations.com) TRM Copy Centers, LLC, PAS Technologies, Inc. and Fastech Integrated Technologies LLC prior to the sale of these companies.

DAVID BLAND

Principal

David started his career in finance and served in positions of steadily increasing responsibility and accomplishment with Hewlett-Packard including Cost Accountant/Cost Analyst, Senior Financial Analyst, Finance Operations Manager/SAP Implementation Manager and Director of Finance and Business Services. He also served as CEO, CFO and as President of well-known companies such as ITT Cannon in the Switches division, Flextronix (Multek), Coactive Technologies based in Hong Kong and most recently as CEO of Nelson-Miller and Nagai Mining in China.

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David started his career in finance and served in positions of steadily increasing responsibility and accomplishment with Hewlett-Packard including Cost Accountant/Cost Analyst, Senior Financial Analyst, Finance Operations Manager/SAP Implementation Manager and Director of Finance and Business Services. He also served as CEO, CFO and as President of well-known companies such as ITT Cannon in the Switches division, Flextronix (Multek), Coactive Technologies based in Hong Kong and most recently as CEO of Nelson-Miller and Nagai Mining in China. He has served in these roles under the guidance of private equity groups and is therefore very familiar with the expectations of PE groups. David has an MBA from UCLA in Finance and International Business and an undergraduate degree in Finance and Accounting from Santa Clara University. He also has many certifications including in LEAN manufacturing.

In addition to evaluating bolt-on and strategic acquisitions, David also assists the management of Meridian’s portfolio companies in meeting its performance goals.