Texas-based PE Firm Vortus Promotes Brian Hansen to Partner

Fort Worth, Texas-based private equity firm Vortus Investment Advisors LLC announced a slew of promotions on Feb. 8 including Brian Hansen to partner.

Vortus focuses on lower to middle market upstream investments across North America. Select portfolio investments by the firm include Canyon Creek Energy, Crimson Resources and NP Resources.

Previously a principal at Vortus, Hansen has been responsible for various stages of the investment lifecycle, including sourcing, structuring, transactional due diligence, and monitoring and management since joining the firm in 2014 from Pioneer Natural Resources Co. He serves on the board of directors of several companies within the Vortus portfolio, the firm’s release said.

Additionally, Vortus announced the promotions on Feb. 8 of Frank Lamsens to COO and Ross Cunningham to director of finance.

“We are pleased to recognize the quality of our team with these promotions and the valuable contributions of Brian, Frank, and Ross to the success of Vortus and our portfolio companies,” Vortus Managing Partners Jeffrey Miller and Brian Crumley said in a joint statement. “Each of these individuals have demonstrated a strong work ethic, invaluable expertise, and the ability to execute on key strategic goals, which is why we are excited about the impact from their increased leadership as we continue to grow.”

Formed in 2013 by Miller and Crumley, Vortus has an “asset-based investment strategy,” targeting privately negotiated transactions in the lower to middle market requiring approximately $25 million to $100 million of equity capital in partnership with successful owner/operators, according to the firm’s release.

Lamsens joined Vortus in 2014, serving in dual roles as CFO and chief compliance officer. Previously, he worked in various corporate finance, accounting and investor relations roles at TPG (formerly Texas Pacific Group) and as a manager in the Chicago audit group of KPMG LLP.

Cunningham joined Vortus in 2018 from TPG, where he served in various accounting and operations roles, including as senior manager, overseeing all accounting and finance aspects of the Biotechnology funds and facilitating investment activity for the flagship TPG Capital funds. He started his career in the Denver audit practice of KPMG.