Financing Growth in a Shifting Market: Choosing the Right Capital Partner
Presented By: CIBC Bank / Reed Smith
Today’s financing markets are rapidly evolving, creating opportunities and challenges for growth-focused companies. Join a panel of executives, investors and advisors as we explore the latest market trends, including the rise of industry-focused groups and when they are—or aren’t—the right fit. Panelists will examine what private equity firms and borrowers care most about, the competitive dynamics between private debt funds and commercial banks, and how these players increasingly overlap and collaborate. We’ll also discuss how to choose the right financing partner, the ripple effects of a slower M&A market on capital access and exits, and the shifting landscape of legal terms—what’s becoming more flexible, what’s tightening, and how those changes are reaching down into the middle market.
Moderator:
Partner
Reed Smith
Jay has a successful track record of structuring and negotiating complex financing arrangements. His practice is concentrated on acquisition finance and recapitalization transactions, and he frequently handles cash flow and asset-based financing for a variety of agent banks, lead arrangers and other capital providers. In addition to representing capital providers, he also represents private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in a wide array of financing transactions.
Panelists:
Managing Director
CIBC Bank USA
Zach Leonard has over 15 years of commercial banking experience working with companies and private equity firms across the Western US. He works with privately held, public, and sponsor-backed businesses providing senior lending, treasury, and capital markets services. Zach has worked on a large variety of transactions ranging in size from $10 million to nearly $3 billion. His primary responsibilities include business development, evaluating and structuring new opportunities, and relationship management.
Partner
Trigran Ventures
Ben Russell is a Partner at Trigran Ventures, a long-term oriented private investment platform focused on partnering with profitable and growing businesses led by passionate management teams, based in Boulder. Before helping to launch Trigran Ventures in 2025, Ben held a leadership role on the Private Equity team of Partners Group, a multi-national private asset manager with over $150 billion AUM.
CEO
Kodiak Interiors Group
Jeff Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Interiors Group (KIG). Previously part of Kodiak Building Partners, KIG was launched in July 2025 as a new independent entity, enabling a more focused strategy in the appliances and interiors market while supporting long-term growth for both organizations. Previously, Jeff was CFO of Kodiak Building Partners, held senior accounting and treasury roles at ProBuild, and started his career in the audit practice at PWC. KIG's current operating subsidiaries include Arizona Appliance & Home, Don’s Appliances, FBS Appliance and Specialty Appliance.