Torcastle Group
Our Team
James Poffenberger
Managing Director
Prior to establishing Torcastle, Mr. Poffenberger was a partner and co-founder of MCM Capital Partners, a Cleveland based private equity firm. During his 25 year tenure he co-led raising several private equity funds and led the firms acquisition activity. Mr. Poffenberger continues as an Advisory Board Member.
Prior to MCM Capital Partners, Mr. Poffenberger was a partner with the Cleveland based, Edgewater Group, now known as Edgewater Capital Partners. During his ten-year tenure with Edgewater, he originated and completed numerous buy-out transactions of lower middle-market companies whose revenues ranged from $15 million to $100 million.
Mr. Poffenberger also served as Director of Corporate Development of Larizza Industries, Inc., an Edgewater affiliated holding company under common ownership. LII was an active buy-and-build acquirer in the automotive and defense industries.
Mr. Poffenberger serves on the board of several companies including First Impression Ironworks, StyleCraft Home Collection, and the Torsion Group. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and an MBA from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. Post graduation he has undertaken Operations Research academics focused on production and logistics systems and derivative securities ​​
John Hayes
Senior Associate
John Hayes (Cleveland Ohio) is responsible for modeling, due diligence, and research presentations for new investment opportunities. He also heads business development & preliminary assessment efforts for diversified industrials.
Prior to joining Torcastle, John served as a Corporate Client Banking & Specialized Industries analyst with JPMorgan Chase. With JPM, he strengthened his ability to assess balance sheet health and capital structures for clients in a variety of industries.
John also has experience working with the outstanding transaction services team at Cohen & Company. There, John gained invaluable deal advisory experience while working with some of the brightest due diligence minds in the Midwest.
A student of lean manufacturing, he is a Six Sigma Green Belt and enjoys learning from operational experts at partner companies. John graduated cum laude from Miami University's Farmer School of Business where he studied Finance, Accounting, and Economics.​
Joe LaMantia
Advisory Board Member
Mr. Joseph LaMantia, CFPIM, CIRM, CPA, is the President of e-Ventus Corporation, a lean supply chain and ERP consulting firm with over 225 clients that focuses on adding value through the implementation of transformational agile and lean supply solutions.
He has over twenty-five years of experience in the consulting industry with engagements in lean supply, supply chain digitalization, digital transformation, lean manufacturing, strategic planning, system integration, enterprise resource planning (ERP) system deployment, and agile system development.
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Mr. LaMantia has managed multiple, multi-million-dollar projects in firms between $50 million and $7 billion. He earned his MBA degree at the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.
Mark Baraghimian
Advisory Board Member
Mark Baraghimian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in direct-to-consumer marketing, strategy, and leadership. With an extensive background in business and technology and a deep understanding of customer needs, Mark has used his knowledge to develop customer-centric marketing strategies, drive growth, and create successful customer experiences. He has led numerous organizations to successful customer acquisition and retention goals through his use of analytics, sales and operations processes, customer segmentation, and data-driven decision making.
Mark is also highly experienced in driving sales and profits through effective customer segmentation, customer engagement, and customer retention strategies. Additionally, Mark is well-versed in the use of data to measure and improve ROI.
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Currently, Mark serves as president and CEO of First Impression Iron Works, the nation’s leading custom ornamental ironwork serving the residential repair and remodels market. FII offers decorative security doors, gates, staircases, rails, and iron products to enable clients to add security and beauty to their homes and offices. Prior to FII, Mark was president of American Home Products and Danmer Corp., California’s premier provider of custom window treatments and quality window coverings including shutters, blinds, and shades for over 30 years. Mark received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Information Technology from California State University, Northridge.
Jimmy Webster
Advisory Board Member
Jimmy Webster III, CEO of StyleCraft Home Collection, has cultivated a lifetime of experience in the Home décor industry. Webster has spent the last two decades immersed in creating and cultivating business of what is today StyleCraft Home Collection.
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StyleCraft Home Collection imports and exports a variety of home décor products including lighting, wall décor, mirrors, accent furniture, decorative accessories, and garden products. Many of these products are designed in the StyleCraft's China facility located in Dongguan, China. StyleCraft operates a China Office employing over 100 people and the Southaven, MS Headquarters employing over 160 people. Most recently, the Vietnam Office was opened to better serve our interest in Vietnam through better sourcing and intense quality control regulation.
StyleCraft has showrooms in High Point, Dallas, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Tupelo, Memphis, Nashville, Dongguan China, and Guangzhou China. Mr. Webster is a proud alumnus of Southern Methodist University.