An Experienced and
Entrepreneurial Team
With extensive experience, including over 100 successful transactions, the Matterhorn team is an entrepreneurial and flexible partner vested in our borrowers’ long-term success.
Matterhorn Capital is a private investment firm that specializes in providing debt capital to lower-middle market businesses and real estate opportunities. We leverage our experience and proprietary network to directly originate, underwrite, and structure transactions with significant downside protection. At Matterhorn, our goal is to balance attractive risk-adjusted returns for our investment partners with the need for reasonably priced, tailored capital to support our borrowers’ goals.
Trey Ott founded Matterhorn Capital and is responsible for the firm's overall direction and strategy. As Managing Partner, he retains primary oversight for originating and structuring many of Matterhorn's investments. With over 20 years of investment experience, Trey most recently held the position of Managing Director of Susquehanna Structured Capital, a strategy he founded at Susquehanna International Group (SIG) during his 15-year tenure with the firm. Prior to SIG, Trey held roles as the Head of US Corporate Research at Nomura Securities, and as a Senior High Yield Research Analyst at both Conseco Capital Management and Delaware Investments (now Macquarie Investment Management). Trey received an MBA from Cornell University's Johnson School of Business, and a Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, in Finance and Economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Ryan McLaughlin is a Partner and the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer of Matterhorn Capital. In this role he leads the operations, compliance, and client service efforts for the firm. With over 18 years of investment experience, Ryan was most recently a Partner with Permit Capital Advisors, LLC (now part of Cerity Partners) where he served as a Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist, as well as assisted in the administration of internally created private funds and special purpose vehicles. Prior to Permit, Ryan held roles as the Director of Research at McCabe Capital Managers (now part of Drexel Morgan & Co.), as a Financial Analyst at myCIO Wealth Partners, and as a Senior Associate at Ernst & Young. Ryan received his Bachelor of Science in both Accountancy and Business Administration, Cum Laude, as well as his Master of Taxation, Cum Laude, from Villanova University. Ryan holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations. He is a member of the CFA Institute, CFA Society of Philadelphia, Alternative Investment Management Association, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Karl Wagner is a Partner and the Head of Real Estate at Matterhorn Capital. He is responsible for all aspects of the firm’s real estate investment strategy, including sourcing, structuring and managing Matterhorn’s real estate lending business. During Karl’s first two years with Matterhorn, the firm’s real estate portfolio expanded to over $100 million across 10+ transactions. Karl has over 20 years of experience investing in real estate acquisition, development and management. Prior to joining Matterhorn, Karl was the Chief Investment Officer and Principal at The Buccini/Pollin Group (BPG), and Principal at Corten Real Estate Partners (Corten), BPG’s private equity fund. During his 21-year career at BPG, Karl managed all commercial financing transactions and sourced over $2 billion in acquisitions and preferred equity investments across multi-family, commercial, mixed use and parking assets. Karl received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Delaware.
Mike Puskar is a Partner and the Head of Credit at Matterhorn Capital where he is responsible for sourcing and evaluating new investment opportunities, coordinating due diligence on transactions, negotiating transaction documents and monitoring Matterhorn’s existing portfolio of investments. Prior to joining Matterhorn, Mike was a Vice President at StoneMor Partners L.P. where he was responsible for all corporate finance and M&A activity. Prior to StoneMor, Mike worked as an Investment Banker at FBR Capital Markets & Co. and Janney Montgomery Scott, where he focused on executing M&A and capital markets transactions across a wide range of industries. Mike received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude, from The Catholic University of America.
Dana Nichols is a Partner and the Head of Human Capital at Matterhorn Capital where she is responsible for the firm’s Human Resources and office management. Her experience ranges from marketing and community engagement to administrative duties. Dana has held roles in educational settings, as well as in the nonprofit sector. As a former secondary mathematics teacher, Dana brings her attention to detail and organizational skills to her role. Dana received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education, Cum Laude, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
As the Head of Finance at Matterhorn Capital, Ari leads and oversees all finance and accounting functions for the firm. With over a decade of experience in the alternative investment sector, Ari has held key roles in both public accounting and private industry. Before joining Matterhorn Capital, Ari was a Principal at Cerity Partners, where he managed the operations of more than 20 private investment vehicles. Prior to that, he served as a Senior Manager in the Financial Services Tax Group at Grant Thornton LLP, providing tax compliance and consulting services to hedge funds, private equity firms, and management companies.
Ari holds a BS in Business Administration with Distinction from the University of Pittsburgh, College of Business Administration. He also studied International Business at the University of Economics, Czech Republic and Hebrew Language at Hebrew University, Israel. Ari is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the state of Pennsylvania.
John Speck is an Associate at Matterhorn Capital where he is responsible for evaluating new commercial real estate investments and coordinating due diligence on transactions. Prior to joining Matterhorn, John was an Associate at GMH Communities where he focused on the underwriting, due diligence and asset management of their multi-family and student housing assets. John graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania.
Keenan O'Connor is an Analyst at Matterhorn Capital where he is responsible for evaluating new investment opportunities and monitoring Matterhorn's existing portfolio of investments. Keenan joined Matterhorn following an internship at the firm between his junior and senior years at Boston College. Keenan graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Management with concentrations in Finance and Accounting for Finance and Consulting from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.
Liz Chiodo is an Executive Assistant at Matterhorn Capital where she is responsible for managing the firm's administrative and executive needs. Before joining Matterhorn, Liz spent eight years as a Paraprofessional. She received a Bachelor of Arts from West Chester University of Pennsylvania.