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Jeff Presley has over 30 years of experience in finance and investments. He is the founder and Principal in SouthWorth Capital Management, our family office.  Jeff serves as a director for each of our investment platforms.  He was a partner in a closely held investment company.  The nature of the investments focused on asset-based lending and corporate restructuring.  Mr. Presley spent five years as CFO for a media placement company specializing in national radio and spot television.  His previous business experience includes being Controller for a diversified investment and commodities company.  He was licensed in general securities sales, real estate, and insurance. Jeff is a graduate of Memphis State University. Jeffrey is married with two children and three grandchildren.

Clay Presley joined SouthWorth as a Partner in 2016. Prior to SouthWorth, Clay spent 7 years directing the marketing operations for City Gear, a footwear and apparel retailer. During his tenure, Clay helped the company grow store count nearly 200% while overseeing the successful integration of 3 acquisitions and launching their e-commerce platform. Since joining SouthWorth, Clay has helped the company launch 8 new investment platforms and the successful exit of 3 investments. Clay is a director of 7 of the current investment platforms and a board member of 901 Fund. Clay was a member of the University of Memphis football team from 2005 – 2007 and holds a B.S. and MBA from the U of M. Clay is married with two children.

Laura Presley recently stepped into the Director of Community Relations role leading SouthWorth’s community investment initiatives. Laura initially joined SouthWorth as Portfolio Liaison in 2015. In this role, she managed the office and day-to-day business of SouthWorth. Prior to SouthWorth, Laura worked in varied industries including retail, telecommunications, and logistics. Laura attended Arkansas State University. Laura has one daughter, Ashlynn.

Brennon Martin joined SouthWorth as CFO in 2022, after 10 years at Eastport Holdings, a SouthWorth portfolio company. He joined Eastport after 2 years of professional baseball. Brennon served as Controller for AdStaff and Mindstream Media before elevating to Controller of Eastport. Brennon has assisted in the structure and completion of acquisitions for several Eastport companies.  He also has participated in the acquisition process for a number of SouthWorth investments outside of Eastport. Brennon graduated from the University of Memphis in 2010 with a BA in Business Management. Brennon is married with 3 children.

Jim Howard joined SouthWorth Capital in 2018 as Managing Director, and in 2023 elevated to Executive Managing Director.  In He has held various positions in the corporate and middle market segments of Goldman Sachs, Fifth Third Bank and First Horizon Corp, mainly in the areas of business development, credit risk management and leveraged buyout portfolio management.  Prior to banking, Jim served 12 years as a US Navy SEAL between 1998 and 2013.  During his Special Operations career Jim deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and Europe in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In addition to completing level 2 of his CFA, Jim has a B.S. from the University of Kentucky and an MBA from the University of Colorado. Jim is married with two children.

Ben Reed joined SouthWorth Capital in 2016 as Managing Director and has 20 years of prior commercial banking experience.  He has held various positions in the corporate and middle market banking segments mainly in the areas of credit risk management, special assets and portfolio management. His banking career included Hibernia National Bank (now Capital One Bank), SunTrust Bank and Fifth Third Bank.  Prior to banking, Ben spent a few years as a steamship agent in New Orleans and is a former officer in the U.S. Navy.  Ben has his B.A. from Loyola University of New Orleans and his MBA from the University of New Orleans. Ben is married with three children.

Garland Robeson joined Southworth in 2018 as Managing Director after spending 16 years in corporate banking (US Bank and Fifth Third).  Most recently, Garland led a team for Fifth Third, responsible for advising, lending, and arranging capital to privately held companies and financial sponsors.  Garland’s experience has spanned the large corporate and middle market spaces across a comprehensive range of industries.  He’s deeply experienced in arranging and structuring a variety of capital; including senior secured & unsecured, mezzanine, asset based, bonds/TLB’s, and securitizations.  Garland has his BA from the University of Cincinnati. Garland is married with 3 boys.

Charles joined SouthWorth in 2020. He served as Portfolio Coordinator, supporting several Ascension acquisitions, before moving into a Director role and leading the Charter Vista Landscaping platform.  Clay and Jeff met Charles during his tenure at the University of Memphis as a development coordinator following his star-studded football career. Chuck twice led the Tigers in tackles, won, conference academic player of the year as well as earning Academic All-American honors.  Following the completion of his bachelor’s degree, Chuck re-enrolled at the University of Memphis and received his MBA in 2018.

Al Wise joined SouthWorth in 2011. Al has been in the merger and acquisition field since 1987. Prior to 1987, Al enjoyed 17 years of domestic and international business experience with his own business and a number of Fortune 500 companies, including Owens Corning Fiberglass, Daewoo International, Riddell Football Helmets, and Wilson Distributing. Al is a graduate of Muhlenberg College (AB) University of Memphis (MBA) and he has lectured as a faculty member of the Clemson University Economics Department. Al is married to Carolyn.

Peter Braxton joined Southworth in 2023. Peter has been delivering holistic advice and creative solutions across the spectrum of private capital markets on both the buy and sell side to ultra-high net worth individuals and their families for more than 15 years. As a former Air Force Instructor Pilot, Peter has logged over 3,000 flight hours, including 1,000 combat hours over Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his military service, Peter worked as a Private Banker/Relationship Manager as well as a Founder/Entrepreneur/Operator in the Dynamic Pricing/Yield management vertical and served as a COO/Chief of Staff for private and single-family offices. Peter is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Distinguished Graduate of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, and holds an MBA from Washington University in St Louis. Peter is married to with two young kids. He serves on the board of the Tuskegee Next Foundation and is a faculty member of the Ultra High Net Worth Institute.