NEW CANAAN, CT, October 23, 2025 – Gridiron Capital, LLC (“Gridiron Capital” or “Gridiron”), an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, is excited to announce the following Investment, Accounting, and Finance team additions: Joseph Nardecchia as Controller, Management Company, Stephanie Donoghue as Tax Director, and Riley Delavari and Blake Meritz as Associates on the Investment team. These new hires underscore Gridiron’s key strategic growth initiatives and the enhancement of our core capabilities, positioning the Firm for continued success and innovation.
Mr. Nardecchia and Ms. Donoghue have joined our Accounting & Finance team, where they will focus on optimizing financial reporting efficiencies across our portfolio companies and Gridiron. Over the last ten years, Mr. Nardecchia provided accounting and administrative support to small businesses as a sole practitioner. Previously, Joe was Chief Financial Officer at Balance Point Capital and Accounting Manager at Lime Rock Partners, overseeing the reporting and day-to-day activities of private equity funds. Joe began his career at Deloitte, where he gained experience in both the audit and tax departments. He received a B.S. in Accounting and an M.B.A. from Quinnipiac University. Ms. Donoghue has over fifteen years of experience in finance, tax, and accounting. Prior to joining Gridiron Capital, Stephanie was Head of Investment Fund Tax Compliance at General Atlantic. She began her career at RSM focused on tax compliance for a variety of client types. Stephanie received her B.B.A and M.B.A. in Accounting from Pace University.
Mr. Delavari and Mr. Meritz join the investment team, specializing in identifying new investment opportunities, performing due diligence, and fostering value creation at current portfolio companies. Mr. Delavari joins Gridiron from Florac, where he was an Associate, focusing on transaction execution and portfolio company management. Riley received his B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining Gridiron Capital, Mr. Meritz worked as an analyst in the Mergers & Acquisitions and Technology Groups at Solomon Partners. Blake received his B.S. in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Tom Burger, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Gridiron Capital, said, “We remain committed to continuous improvement, recognizing that expanding our internal capabilities is crucial for Gridiron’s future success. This team of talented professionals will support critical growth initiatives to ensure Gridiron stays at the forefront of innovation in an ever-evolving market.”
Kevin Jackson, Managing Partner, added, “People are at the heart of everything we do, and our success is built on the diverse talents, experience, and perspectives of our team. Gridiron fosters a culture of collaboration and collective achievement, qualities embodied by our newest members. Investing in top talent is a key pillar of our strategy, and we are eager to see how our new team members will help us reach our ambitious goals.”
About Gridiron Capital
Gridiron Capital is an investment firm focused on partnering with founders, entrepreneurs, and management teams, and creating value by building middle-market companies into industry-leaders in consumer products & services, industrial growth, and business services segments in the United States and Canada. We help transform growing companies by winning together through hard work, partnerships grounded in shared values and a unique culture that comes from hands-on experience building and running businesses. As a team led by former operators and entrepreneurs, we know what it takes to run successful businesses on a day-to-day basis. Additional information is available on the firm’s website: www.gridironcapital.com.