NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bridge Growth Partners, LLC, a sector-focused, growth-oriented private equity firm, today announced that Steve Mills, former Executive Vice President of IBM Software and Systems, has joined Bridge Growth Partners as a Senior Advisor.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Steve Mills to Bridge Growth Partners as a Senior Advisor,” said Alok Singh, Managing Principal of Bridge Growth Partners. “He is one of the most accomplished, highly respected leaders in the technology business, and a visionary in software. During a career spanning more than four decades he has been at the forefront of change at both IBM and the technology industry. He helped spearhead IBM’s transformational move into software, and was later responsible for its M&A strategy, where he was at the helm of more than 150 successful transactions. He has proven his skills in helping set strategy, finding compelling acquisition opportunities, confirming those opportunities through efficient and comprehensive diligence, and effectively integrating them to drive meaningful growth. Steve’s wealth of experience will further strengthen and broaden our investment teams and our portfolio company management teams, and will also help drive Bridge Growth’s investments and strategic development.”
Sander Levy, Managing Principal of Bridge Growth Partners, added, “Steve has proven time and time again that he has a unique ability to identify and harness the trends that shape technology businesses of all kinds, and software businesses in particular. His decision to join the firm at this point in his enormously successful career speaks to the depth and breadth of Bridge Growth’s relationships in the technology industry. He has a history of successfully executing acquisitions, the ability to advise and manage teams, and a keen eye for growth, which all align perfectly with Bridge Growth’s strategy.”
“I am looking forward to joining the exceptional team at Bridge Growth as a Senior Advisor,” said Mills. “During my time at IBM I was able to lead so many talented teams through various strategic acquisitions, while navigating a number of transitions in technology. This is an industry that never stands still and I plan on using my experience and networking insight to help advise the firm’s dynamic portfolio companies and help source attractive investment opportunities. I am so impressed by the capabilities and culture Bridge Growth has successfully established and I’m looking forward to contributing to Bridge Growth’s investment activities and its continuing development as a leading, innovative, sector-focused firm.”
About Steve Mills
Steve Mills, former Executive Vice President of IBM, joined the company in 1973 after graduating from Union College. He was closely associated with the growth of IBM’s software business over the last 25 years. Mills became Senior Vice President and Group Executive of Software at IBM in 2000, and in January 2015 he was named Executive Vice President of IBM Software and Systems. In this role, he was responsible for directing approximately 110,000 employees, spanning development, manufacturing, sales, marketing and support. IBM’s software and systems businesses represent $40 billion in annual revenues.
During his tenure at IBM, Mills oversaw many of IBM’s key strategic initiatives including transaction systems, development tools, security products, data base and analytic offerings, including IBM Watson. His systems responsibilities included IBM servers, storage and semi-conductors. He directed organic investments and acquisitions measured in the billions of dollars. Under his leadership, IBM was able to acquire and integrate over 150 companies bringing many thousands of new employees into IBM.
Mills currently serves on the Board of Directors of Marsh and McLennan, a global insurance brokerage and professional services firm headquartered in New York City. He holds a Bachelor degree from Union College.
About Bridge Growth Partners
Bridge Growth Partners, LLC is a growth-oriented private equity firm that targets investments in the technology and technology-enabled financial services sectors. Established in late 2013, Bridge Growth Partners brings together in one team premier investment, financial, operating, and strategic business building talent. The firm is committed to relationship-based investing, with a focus on supporting growth, operational excellence and world-class governance at its portfolio companies to create value for investors.
For more information about Bridge Growth Partners, please visit http://www.bridgegrowthpartners.com/.