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Our Team
John J. (Hap) Fauth  
John J. (Hap) Fauth
Chairman and Director, Churchill Equity; President and Chief Executive Officer, Churchill Industries (industrial holding company) since 1982.
(612) 673-6701

Co-Founded Churchill Equity 1987. Formerly Vice President and Senior Credit Officer, Citicorp (USA) where for fourteen years he was primarily involved in corporate finance, investment banking, and corporate risk management. He is Chairman of the Board of Advisors, Georgetown University Graduate School of Business Administration, and a Director of Georgetown University.

BS – Georgetown University

Sameer Vijayakar  
Sameer Vijayakar
Partner
(612) 673-6624

Joined Churchill Equity 2004. Led platform and add-on acquisitions, and developed portfolio company strategies. Formerly in private equity with Heartland Industrial Partners, and management consulting with McKinsey & Company, Inc. Extensive experience in business integration and performance improvement strategies.

BT – Indian Institute of Technology; MS – Ohio State University; MBA – Harvard University

Gary H. Gottschalk  
Gary H. Gottschalk
Operating Partner
(612) 673-6619

Joined Churchill Equity 1997. Extensive focus on portfolio management, operational turnarounds, and strategic add-ons. Extensive domestic and international experience as a President and CEO and an operational background in sales, manufacturing, and parts distribution. Twenty-six years in the capital goods machinery and equipment businesses, including 24 years at Deere and Company and two years as President of the Worldwide Access Division of Simon Engineering PLC; seven years President/CEO in the office furniture industry.

BA – University of Iowa; MS – Iowa State University

Michael D. Bender  
Michael D. Bender
VP - Audit and Compliance
(612) 673-6727

Joined Churchill Equity 2001. Drove internal due diligence activities, and led portfolio company financial oversight. Formerly Chief Financial Officer with Sterner Lighting, previously owned by Churchill Industries. Over 20 years experience in finance and accounting for manufacturing and service companies.

BS – St. Cloud State University; CPA

Joseph G. Kohler  
Joseph G. Kohler
Executive VP, Of Counsel
(612) 673-6706

Associated with Churchill Equity since 1987 and Churchill Industries since 1982. Formerly in private practice; Partner with Lindquist & Vennum; tax attorney for Shell Oil Company and Arthur Andersen. Joined Churchill Capital and Churchill Companies in 1995. Concentrations in tax, partnership, financial transactions, and mergers and acquisitions.

BA – Ohio University; MBA – University of Cincinnati; JD – Drake University

Mary B. Horsch  
Mary B. Horsch
Chief Administrative Officer
(612) 673-6620

Joined Churchill Equity 1998. Associated with Churchill Capital since 1987 and Churchill Industries since 1982. Formerly Director and Partner with Price Waterhouse and KPMG Peat Marwick. Over 20 years' tax experience in financial transactions, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions.

BA – University of Minnesota; MBA – University of Minnesota; CPA