Chicago-based The Copia Group (TCG) has hired Todd Schneider as chief financial officer and Peter Washington as head of originations as the firm builds out its leadership team.
Schneider will oversee the firm’s financial strategy, perform effective risk management, and design, implement, and monitor the processes by which TCG will comply with all laws and regulations. Meanwhile, Washington will provide strategic leadership for deal sourcing and new business opportunities across all lines of business for TCG with a focus on our foundational capabilities in private credit and direct lending.
“We are thrilled to have Todd and Peter join our leadership team,” said Shundrawn Thomas, founder and managing partner at The Copia Group. “Combined, they bring over 50 years of combined experience to TCG, and they both will play integral roles in the firm moving forward. Todd’s extensive background in financial and operational management coupled with Peter’s deep experience lending to middle market companies across industry verticals is a winning combination. Importantly, Todd and Peter embody TCG’s values of compassion, resilience, excellence, equity, and diversity.”
Former Northern Trust Asset Management President and CEO Thomas launched TCG last September with an eye on lower middle-market opportunities that drive scalability and social impact.
Schneider is joining TCG after previously serving as CFO and CCO at Delta Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on litigation finance. Prior to that, he also served as CFO and CCO at Shorehill Capital LLC, CFO at Conversus Asset Management, and senior VP and chief accounting officer at FBOP Corporation.
Washington joins the team after serving in a number of leadership roles for 13 years at CapX Partners (subsequently acquired by Accord Financial in 2017). Peter was a voting member of the organization’s investment committee and was also a former president of the Midwest Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA). Prior to CapX Partners, he was a senior secured lender for Northern Trust Company and served on their Middle Market Lending and Business Banking divisions.
“As head of Originations, I am privileged to work closely with senior management to deliver TCG’s distinct value proposition which marries the strategic investment of financial and relational capital,” said Washington. “I’ve admired what Shundrawn and Anthony are building here since the firm launched and can’t wait to contribute in meaningful ways toward the firm’s success as we continue to grow.”
