Management Team
Gary Valdez
President
Gary Valdez founded Focus Strategies, LLC, in 1999 after 24 years in a highly successful banking career. Gary began his career in 1975 with Texas Commerce Bank. After managing the Metropolitan Banking Group, he became a founding shareholder and President/CEO for Cattlemen’s State Bank in 1986. During his tenure at Cattlemen’s, assets grew from $2MM to $110MM in nine years. Later, upon Cattlemen’s acquisition, Gary assumed the position of president at Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo and Managing Officer for the Austin Region Business Banking Group until forming Focus Strategies. Currently, he serves on the board of Texas Lutheran University and Foster Angels of Central Texas. Some of his past board positions include Ascension Ventures, St. Edward’s University and Seton Healthcare Network. Gary earned a BBA from Texas Lutheran College where he was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus, and an MBA from St. Edward’s University.
Partner Company Board Affiliations
Attic Breeze
Contact
gvaldez@fsmillc.com
Mark Gibson
Managing Partner
Mark Gibson joined Focus Strategies Merchant Investments in 2017 to focus on business development and underwriting for direct investment opportunities. Prior to joining Focus, he was a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Chase in Houston focusing on oilfield services lending. Prior to moving to Houston, he served as a relationship manager, associate and analyst for J.P. Morgan Chase in Austin. Mark earned a BBA in Finance and Business Honors from Texas A&M University, where he also serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the Mays Business School. Mark and his wife have two young kids and are active in the marriage ministry at their church, The Austin Stone.
Partner Company Board Affiliations
Cone Machinery, Inc.
Generator Source
Smokey Mo’s
Contact
mgibson@fsmillc.com
Travis Taunton
Managing Director
Travis Taunton joined Focus Strategies in 2024 to focus on business development and underwriting for direct investment opportunities. Prior to joining Focus, he was the Director & Assistant Portfolio Manager at Czech Asset Management, L.P. (“CAM”), a $5.5Bn Private Debt fund based in Old Greenwich, CT. Prior to joining CAM, he spent nearly five years at JP Morgan Chase in Dallas, TX and New York City. At JP Morgan Chase, he worked as a Summer Intern, Analyst and Associate in the Middle Market and Corporate Banking Divisions. Travis earned a B.B.A. in Finance (cum laude) from Texas A&M University.
Partner Company Board Affiliations
EventPower, Inc.
Contact
ttaunton@fsmillc.com
Advisors
Brian DeRoeck
Senior Advisor
Brian DeRoeck has 20+ years of private investment and operational management experience. Brian is the President of his family’s office, Westlake Capital Group, whose investments include hotels, health care, commercial real estate, and both private and public equities. He was previously CEO of Remington Medical Resorts, a post-acute rehabilitation company, until its sale in 2015. Brian has served on a number of profit and not-for-profit boards and advisory boards and is a member of YPO Austin. He earned a BA from the University of Arkansas.
Partner Company Board Affiliations
Encore Dredging Partners
Britt Kauffman
CFO/Advisor
Britt Kauffman has 20+ years of senior management experience as both a CEO and CFO of middle market companies. Britt earned his BA and MPA from The University of Texas at Austin and is a CPA.
Partner Company Board Affiliations
Patriot Erectors
Smokey Mo’s
Focus Strategies Merchant Investments 