Preston Hollow Capital, LLC announced today that three former ORIX USA executives will fill key positions on the firm’s rapidly growing team. John Bills has been named as Chief Credit Officer, Greg May was selected as the new managing director of corporate development and Kandice Stephens was named the Director of Operations for the Dallas-based merchant bank.
This announcement was made today by Jim Thompson, the Chairman and CEO of Preston Hollow Capital. Thompson launched Preston Hollow Capital in January, after serving for many years as president and CEO of ORIX USA Corporation, a non-bank financial conglomerate and U.S. subsidiary of ORIX Corporation (NYSE:IX), a publicly owned Tokyo-based international financial services company.
“We’re pleased that the growth of our business requires the expansion of our team at Preston Hollow Capital by filling these key roles with a group of highly capable professionals,” said Thompson. “Mr. Bills, Mr. May and Ms. Stephens are exceptional talents with a wealth of knowledge that will further position us for success.”
Bills, in his role as Chief Credit Officer, will oversee real estate credit analysis and underwriting for the firm’s investments that have real estate components. He is a financial industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience. Before joining Preston Hollow Capital, Bills served 11 years at ORIX USA, where his most recent position was managing director, chief credit officer and surveillance manager. Prior to this role, Bills was a director and senior underwriter for the company. Before his tenure at ORIX USA, Bills worked for General Electric Capital Real Estate in various leadership roles. Bills received a B.B.A. degree in finance and political science at Southern Methodist University.
May, as Preston Hollow Capital’s Managing Director of Corporate Development, will have responsibilities for sourcing, evaluating and executing strategic acquisitions and investments for the firm. May previously served as Deputy General Counsel for ORIX USA, which he joined in 2003. He provided a broad range of legal, transactional and governance support to ORIX USA’s various business lines in the investment banking, asset management, real estate finance and life sciences sectors. Before joining ORIX USA, May was an equity shareholder in one of Dallas’ top law firms. May received his B.B.A. degree in accounting from Baylor University and his J.D. degree from Baylor University School of Law. He has a significant record of civic involvement, including his current service as Board Chair for Dallas CASA.
Stephens, as director of operations, will be responsible for managing the company’s back office operations supporting all of Preston Hollow Capital’s trading and investment activity. She has worked in the financial services industry for more than 35 years, managing various aspects of treasury, operations, settlement, custodial and accounting.
Before joining Preston Hollow Capital, Stephens served with ORIX USA for more than 31 years in various senior management functions including Director of Operations in ORIX USA’s Dallas Headquarters, Corporate Income Tax Director, Division Controller in Los Angeles and SVP of Operations in Atlanta. Stephens started her career with Rauscher Pierce, a Dallas-based brokerage firm, after graduating from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics.
“Mr. Bills, Mr. May and Ms. Stephens each bring a unique set of skills and knowledge to their roles at Preston Hollow Capital,” said Thompson. “We’ve experienced significant growth at Preston Hollow Capital and we will continue to look for specialized experience, track record and expertise.”
Preston Hollow Capital, LLC (“PHC”) is a non-bank investment platform launched in January 2014 by Jim Thompson, the former, long time President and Chief Executive Officer of ORIX USA. PHC seeks to produce superior risk-adjusted returns across a broad spectrum of investment strategies, including fixed income, private equity, venture capital and alternative investing. Mr. Thompson, along with his wife Angela, supports Dallas-area non-profits through the Jim & Angela Thompson Foundation, and STEM education initiatives through the Blue Sky Educational Foundation. He is a board member of the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance, and is a former board member of Dallas CASA, Angel Flight South Central and the AOPA Foundation.
Contact Preston Hollow Capital at 214-389-0800.