Team

Management Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Clyde

Tuggle

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Clyde

Tuggle

Clyde Tuggle is a Partner and Co-Founder of Pine Island Capital Partners. He previously spent 30 years at the Coca-Cola Company where he was a member of Coca-Cola’s Executive Committee and managed the company’s corporate productivity activity. Clyde held multiple senior management roles and was most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, where he managed Coca-Cola’s global public affairs and reported directly to the Chairman and CEO.

He was also President of the Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Division, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Public Affairs and Communication, Deputy Division President of Central Europe and Executive Assistant (chief of staff) to former CEO Roberto C. Goizueta. Clyde currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors at the Georgia Power Company and at Oxford Industries, Inc. He earned his BA from Hamilton College and a masters from Yale University; he also studied at the Ludwig-Maximillian Universität in Munich, Germany and the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Norman B.

DuPre

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Norman B.

DuPre

Norman’s career includes over three decades at The Coca-Cola Company, progressing from a financial analyst to the CFO of the largest foodservice customer in the United States. He developed and executed strategies that drove profit growth of over 150%. He held leadership roles in the design and execution of go-to-market strategies in the immediate consumption channel and has led finance transformation initiatives in planning, reporting, and finance organization design.

Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Norman was a pilot in the United States Navy and was the commanding officer of a patrol squadron. He has extensive experience operating and working with nations throughout the world.

Norman holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill and a Master of Business Administration from George Washington University.

Chief Commercial Officer

Erika

Shields

Chief Commercial Officer

Erika

Shields

Erika Shields is the former Chief of Police for the Louisville-Metro Police Department (LMPD) and Atlanta Police Department (APD). Prior to her roles as Chief, Erika held numerous positions, from Officer to Chief of Staff to Deputy Chief, during her 25 years in law enforcement.

Erika is a strong advocate for transparency and accountability in policing and embraces the leveraging of technologies as one tool to promote trust with the public. The adoption of multiple technological platforms, coupled with a strong emphasis on intelligence and deliberate enforcement efforts, allowed Erika to lead both LMPD and APD through reductions in violent crime. LMPD attained an unprecedented number of federal indictments of known criminals during her last year as Chief.

Core to her values, Erika firmly believes in the equitable treatment of all, and raising awareness of this is central to her leadership messaging. Erika enjoys public speaking and possesses an unwavering belief in others.

SVP & Chief People Officer

Andrea

Czop

SVP & Chief People Officer

Andrea

Czop

Andrea has over 25 years of exceptional leadership experience, and currently serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief People Officer.
Her journey with the company began in 1997 when she began her career in Business Development at the Montreal, Canada facility.
Throughout her tenure, Andrea's dedication and talents led to her rapid progression within the organization. Recognized for her strategic successes, she was promoted to the position of Director of Marketing and Business Development in 1999. Building upon her achievements, she assumed the role of General Manager for the Montreal facility in 2003, overseeing its operational excellence.

In 2004, Andrea relocated to Atlanta, where she successfully managed both the Sales Support, Proposals and Programs departments.
Notably, in 2014, Andrea's exceptional contributions were acknowledged once again, as she was appointed President of the Montreal business unit.

Andrea returned to Atlanta in 2016, assuming the role of Vice President of Strategy, Sales, and Marketing. In this capacity, she continued to drive strategic business initiatives and contribute to the company's market presence.

Andrea's holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Concordia University.

With her unique blend of leadership acumen, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication, Andrea continues to inspire and lead the organization towards a future marked by innovation and success.

SVP, Operations

Kelly

Jamieson

SVP, Operations

Kelly

Jamieson

Kelly serves as the Senior Vice President of Operations for InVeris Training Solutions. She has been a member of the Operations Team since 1996. During her tenure with the company, Kelly has held various positions, including Senior Buyer, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Manager, Materials Manager, Director of Materials, Director of Supply Chain for the Meggitt Equipment & Energy Division, and her current position as Vice President of Operations.

Her team has had successes in executing record breaking quarterly production deliverables in short turnaround, inventory reduction, and successful implementation of the Company Production System.

SVP, Engineering

Jim

Napier

SVP, Engineering

Jim

Napier

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), B.S. Computer Science and Engineering;

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), M.E. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Jim is the InVeris Senior Vice President of Engineering and oversees all engineering work associated with virtual and live fire training systems. He has over 20 years of experience in the simulation industry and has served in various capacities after joining the company in 1996.

In his seven (7) years as the Director of Software Engineering, Jim migrated the department to more agile development methodologies. In his role as engineering lead, he helped design and develop the Singapore Police Coast Guard Integrated Tactical Training Center (ITTC) during the three-year project. The ITTC is a large training simulator combining computer graphics simulation, motion platforms, bridge simulation, boat hydrodynamics, and weapons simulation to help the PCG train their students in correct boat handling, communications, and weapon handling.

Jim also served as lead engineer focused on computer graphics in multiple small arms training simulators for Firearms Training Systems (FATS) prior to FATS being acquired by Meggitt. These simulators were used by the USMC, U.S. Army, UK MoD, ADF and others. Prior to his employment with the company, Jim worked for Charles Stark Draper Laboratories (1993-1996) on software control systems for the International Space Station.

Vice President, Business Development

Darren

Shavers

Vice President, Business Development

Darren

Shavers

Darren Shavers, the Vice President of Business Development at InVeris Training Solutions™. With an MBA and two degrees in Human Resource Management from Troy University, Darren brings extensive knowledge and expertise to his role.

Darren joined the company in 2011 as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the U.S. Army Engagement Skills Trainer (EST) program. Thanks to his impressive leadership skills and ability to increase revenue by improving the conversion rate of opportunities, he quickly rose through the ranks. He was promoted to Director of SME Group and then Director of Business Development.

Before joining InVeris Training Solutions™, Darren served in the U.S. Army for 25 years as an Infantryman. During his service, he directed basic and advanced Rifle Marksmanship training courses and was an Army-wide Subject Matter Expert (SME) on the Engagement Skills Trainer (EST 2000) simulator. He has also researched training programs for improvement opportunities and authored and implemented policies and procedures to enhance training effectiveness.

As the Vice President of Business Development at InVeris Training Solutions™, Darren is responsible for Military Sales and Business Development, Strategy for Programs of Record, and Sales Engineers. He is an Instructor Certified Small Arms Master Gunner and holds certifications in Acquisition 101 and 102. With his impressive background and proven track record, Darren is a valuable asset to the team at InVeris Training Solutions™.

General Counsel

Ben

Garren

General Counsel

Ben

Garren

Ben leads InVeris’ Legal Administration Department

Ben is a senior legal executive who is well regarded as a trusted counselor and people leader. He brings a strong commercial orientation and solution focus to legal issues, along with experience leading through transformation and crisis. During a distinguished 24-year career with The Coca-Cola Company, he made significant contributions to business growth, protected the company’s reputation and treasure from serious threats, strengthened corporate governance, and built a diverse and promising pipeline of legal talent.

Before retiring from Coca-Cola in 2021, Ben held the position of General Counsel, International, overseeing legal operations for the Europe, Middle East & Africa, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific groups, encompassing more than 200 countries and accounting for $25 billion of global revenues. In 2020, assumed additional responsibilities as interim Chief Ethics & Compliance and Chief Privacy Officer. He also held positions as General Counsel, North America Group. Chief Legal Officer for CCR, Associate and General Council, Litigation & Employment.

Ben currently serves on the Boards of the National CASA/GAL Association for Children, UNICEF USA Southeast Region, the Georgia Legal Services Foundation, the Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta, and the Alumni Council of the University of South Carolina School of Law. Ben is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2017.

Board of Directors

Chairman

Saxby

Chambliss

Chairman

Saxby

Chambliss

Saxby Chambliss is a Partner with Pine Island Capital Partners. He served as the U.S. Senator from Georgia from 2003 to 2015; before that, he served as U.S. Representative from Georgia from 1995 to 2003. During his tenure in the Senate, Saxby served as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and the Senate Rules Committee. He served as Vice Chairman on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence from 2011 to 2014. Saxby earned his BA from the University of Georgia and a JD from the University of Tennessee College of Law.

Director

Clyde

Tuggle

Director

Clyde

Tuggle

Clyde Tuggle is a Partner and Co-Founder of Pine Island Capital Partners. He previously spent 30 years at the Coca-Cola Company where he was a member of Coca-Cola’s Executive Committee and managed the company’s corporate productivity activity. Clyde held multiple senior management roles and was most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer, where he managed Coca-Cola’s global public affairs and reported directly to the Chairman and CEO.

He was also President of the Russia, Ukraine and Belarus Division, Senior Vice President of Worldwide Public Affairs and Communication, Deputy Division President of Central Europe and Executive Assistant (chief of staff) to former CEO Roberto C. Goizueta. Clyde currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors at the Georgia Power Company and at Oxford Industries, Inc. He earned his BA from Hamilton College and a masters from Yale University; he also studied at the Ludwig-Maximillian Universität in Munich, Germany and the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School.

Director

Phil

Cooper

Director

Phil

Cooper

Phil Cooper has over 40 years of experience in private equity as an entrepreneur, principal investor, fund investor, and secondary investor. Cooper was previously a Partner at Goldman Sachs, where he conceived, founded and led the Goldman Sachs Private Equity Group to over $11 billion in assets. He implemented innovative portfolio construction and risk control methods for private equity fund, direct, and secondary investing, and designed and managed the Vintage Funds—one of the industry’s largest secondary funds. While at Goldman Sachs, Cooper served on the Goldman Sachs Asset Management Risk Committee, Operating Committee, and Goldman Sachs Technology Committee.

Since retiring as a Goldman Sachs Partner in 2004, Cooper has served as a Partner or Special Partner at several private equity firms and was a Senior Lecturer in private equity at MIT’s Sloan School of Business. He also served on the Forsyth Institute and Children’s Hospital (Boston) Endowment Investment Committees.

Cooper earned his BA from Syracuse University and an MBA from MIT, where he was an Alfred Sloan Fellow.

Director

Olof

Bergqvist

Director

Olof

Bergqvist

Olof Bergqvist is a Managing Director of Bain Capital in New York City. An experienced credit and private equity investor, Olof has been with Bain for six years. Prior to that, he was with J.P. Morgan for 14 years, most recently serving as Managing Director and North American Head of J.P. Morgan Mezzanine Capital, a $2 billion vehicle that makes principal debt and equity investments in small and mid-sized companies using J.P. Morgan’s balance sheet. Olof has a M.B.A., Finance from New York University – Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a B.S., Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Director

Stephen

Koenig

Director

Stephen

Koenig

Stephen Koenig is a Director of Investments at Group1001. Experienced in both credit and private equity investing, Stephen has been with Group1001 for three years. Prior to that, he spent time with KLH Capital, a Tampa-based lower middle-market private equity group, and with Guggenheim Partners Investment Management in New York City. Stephen earned his BA in Economics and Anthropology from Amherst College.

Meggitt Training Systems was acquired by Pine Island Capital Partners in July 2020 and the company was renamed InVeris Training Solutions. Pine Island consists of an experienced investment team, combined with a group of deeply-connected and accomplished former senior government and military officials.

Each of the D.C. partners teams with the investment professionals to actively participate in sourcing deals, conducting analyses, winning bids, closing transactions, and directly advising the companies in which Pine Island invests. Extensive leadership, investing, and networking expertise of the Pine Island partner’s enables the firm to employ a differentiated approach to middle market investing. To learn more, visit PineIslandCP.com.

https://pineislandcp.com/

 

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