Rooted In Canada
Having invested $1.6 billion in private equity over three decades, CAI has partnered with companies across North America. We are focused on Canada, a region where our connectivity offers a definitive edge.
Our longstanding Canadian roots make us alive to the possibilities in the Canadian lower middle market and a phone call away from the experts and partners who can accelerate growth for each of our portfolio companies.
Our Approach
Relationships Matter
In Canada’s close-knit business community, the reputation and relationships we’ve developed are among our greatest assets. We are Canadian – respectful in our approach, open in our thinking, and dogged in our determination.
Many of the past and present founders of portfolio companies in which we’ve invested trust us to manage their personal capital. Their endorsement speaks for itself.
Our Focus
Building Market Leaders
Our sustainable approach to value creation has led to substantial EBITDA growth across our portfolio companies. We seek control positions in founder-led businesses where we can drive growth by adding talent, professionalizing processes, investing in infrastructure, and identifying expansion opportunities.
Investment Criteria
$3 million or more of EBITDA
Founder owned / led business
Business services or specialty manufacturing
Willingness to take a control investor
No prior institutional equity
Canadian presence (preferred)
Our Team
There’s no substitute for experience and no shortcut to expertise.
Curtis Johansson joined CAI in 2006. Prior to CAI, he worked at RBC Capital Markets in Calgary, Alberta and London, England. Mr. Johansson is currently Chair of CMT Technical Services, Custom Air Conditioning Ltd., Midwestern Electric, and Universal Group. He is also a Director of Automotive Finco Corp.
Mr. Johansson received a B.Comm from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).
[email protected]
604-694-2527
Tracey McVicar joined CAI in 2003. Prior to CAI she spent 12 years in investment banking, first at RBC Dominion Securities and later at Raymond James and its predecessor company Goepel Shields & Partners. She is currently Chair of RebalanceMD Canada and White House Design Company Inc. and a Director of ATS Services Ltd., and LineStar Utility Supply Inc. She is also a Director of Teck Resources Limited and serves on the Boards of several non-profit organizations.
Ms. McVicar has been recognized in Canada 150 Women (2017), 50 Most Influential Women in BC – BC Business (2015), WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women – Top 100 (2014), Influential Women in Business Award – Business in Vancouver (2009), Association of Women in Finance PEAK Awards (2008), and Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 (2007).
Ms. McVicar received a B.Comm (Finance) from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).
[email protected]
604-694-2525
Ashton Herriott joined CAI in 2013. Prior to CAI he worked in the investment banking division at CIBC Capital Markets. Mr. Herriott is currently Chair of ATS Services Ltd. and LineStar Utility Supply Inc., and is a Director of Custom Air Conditioning Ltd., and the Universal Group.
Mr. Herriott has been recognized in Business in Vancouver Top 40 Under 40 (2023).
Mr. Herriott received a B.Comm (Finance) from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst and is a holder of the Institute of Corporate Directors Director designation (ICD.D).
[email protected]
604-637-1288
Trevor Riback joined CAI in 2019 and is actively involved in all aspects of the investment process, transaction execution, and monitoring of portfolio investments. Prior to CAI, Mr. Riback worked at Parallel49 Equity. Mr. Riback also has six years of experience working in Corporate Finance, Tax, and Restructuring at MNP and PwC. Mr. Riback is currently a Director of CMT Technical Services, Midwestern Electric, and RebalanceMD Canada.
Mr. Riback received a B.Comm (Accounting) from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CA).
[email protected]
604-637-1289
Adam Black joined CAI in 2021. His responsibilities include origination, transaction support, and portfolio company monitoring. Prior to joining CAI, Mr. Black worked in investment banking in the Consumer & Industrial Products Group at RBC Capital Markets in Toronto.
Mr. Black received a B.Comm (Finance) with First Class Honours from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University.
[email protected]
604-637-1294
Carey Lee joined CAI in 2020. His responsibilities include origination, transaction support, and portfolio company monitoring. Prior to joining CAI, Mr. Lee worked in middle-market investment banking at KPMG Corporate Finance in Vancouver where he advised on mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, and financings.
Mr. Lee received a B.Comm (Accounting) from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.
[email protected]
604-674-9748
Angela Yap joined CAI in 2017 and is responsible for overseeing the financial reporting and tax functions of CAI. Ms. Yap is also currently the CFO of Rogue Resources Inc. Prior to joining CAI, after starting her career at KPMG, she held senior positions in various industries, was an instructor at BCIT and served on the Financial Executives International Board. She has 20 years of accounting, taxation and management experience.
Ms. Yap received a B.Comm from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA-CA).
Sherri Odribege joined CAI in 2017. Her responsibilities include accounting and administration for CAI’s management group. Prior to joining CAI, Sherri Odribege has held progressively senior accounting/finance positions, over a span of over 30 years, primarily with TSXV listed mineral exploration and development companies.
[email protected]
604-637-3411
Peter Restler is a founding partner of CAI and is based in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to CAI’s formation in 1989, he was a special advisor to Vancouver-based Inland Natural Gas in connection with its successful acquisition of the $741 million gas division of B.C. Hydro, now FortisBC. Prior thereto, Mr. Restler was involved exclusively in Canadian-US investment banking with Wood Gundy Incorporated (now CIBC Capital Markets) and Lehman Brothers.
Mr. Restler transferred leadership of the firm to Tracey McVicar in 2015 and is involved in the wind-up of CAI Fund III and CAI Fund IV.
Mr. Restler received a B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
