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
American Insulated Glass

Contact
gvaldez@fsmillc.com

Brian DeRoeck
Senior Managing Director

Brian DeRoeck has 20+ years of private investment and operational management experience. Since 2017, he has been a Managing Director for Focus Strategies. 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.

Contact
bderoeck@fsmillc.com

Partner Company Board Affiliations
Encore Dredging Partners

Mark Gibson
Managing Director

Mark Gibson joined Focus Strategies 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 serves on the board of Farmshelf, an early-stage hydroponics company and is active in the marriage ministry at his church, The Austin Stone. Mark holds FINRA SIE, Series 62, 63 and 79 securities licenses.

Partner Company Board Affiliations
Generator Source
Smokey Mo’s

Contact
mgibson@fsmillc.com

Advisors

Britt Kauffman
CFO/Advisor

Britt Kauffman has 20+ years of senior management experience as both a CEO and CFO of middle market companies. Since 2008, he has been a Managing Director for Focus Strategies Investment Banking. 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

Larry Hester
Advisor

Larry Hester has 30+ years of progressive experience with three Fortune 500 companies, Emerson Electric Corporation (EMR), Teledyne Technologies, Inc. (TDY) and Halliburton Company (HAL). Since 2009, he has been a Managing Director for Focus Strategies Investment Banking. Larry earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, and an MBA from Oklahoma City University with honors.