A Conversation with Michael Falk ‘84:
From Queens College to CEO

Mr. Michael Falk, '84, co-founded Comvest Partners in 2002 and acts as Chairman, CEO and Managing Partner. Under his leadership, Comvest has grown to manage over $3 billion with offices in West Palm Beach, Chicago, New York City, and Los Angeles. Comvest employs over 75 people across its investment and operational teams, and over 5000 people across its portfolio. Comvest Partners is a leading middle market Private Equity Firm with separately managed control buyout, lending, and growth equity funds. Mr. Falk has played active board roles with many of Comvest’s noted investments including Fastmed which grew from nine to ninety urgent care clinics, Priority Payments one of the nation’s largest non-bank merchant processors, and US Pipe, the country’s largest Iron Water Pipe manufacturer where Comvest was the recipient of the year’s most successful turnaround award.

Mr. Falk began his career as a securities analyst and trader. In 1988, at the age of 26 he founded Commonwealth Associates, a middle-market investment bank where he acted as Chairman and CEO. Mr. Falk ran and grew Commonwealth into a successful merchant bank and investment operation with 350 employees and offices in NYC, Los Angeles, London and Zurich focusing on the healthcare and technology sectors and investing in or arranging over $1 billion in equity for over one hundred companies. Under his direction, Commonwealth cultivated executive relationships who worked closely with the firm to restructure management teams, improve operations, and drive value across Commonwealth’s investments. In 2003 Mr. Falk sold his interest in Commonwealth, utilizing his experience and track record to launch Comvest.

Mr. Falk’s career in the investment industry, while focused on middle market businesses, has been broad based and multi-faceted. He has launched two successful investment businesses by focusing on building great teams of investment professionals and utilizing insights gained from close relationships with operational executives to improve and grow businesses. Mr. Falk is a growth oriented entrepreneur, leader, coach, and manager.

Mr. Falk has been active in philanthropy since establishing the Michael and Annie Falk Foundation in 1998. He is a member of the Board of Visitors of the Duke Nicholas School of the Environment, and together with his wife Annie Falk is active in numerous philanthropic organizations.

Mr. Falk holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Econometrics from Queens College, and has pursued further education through Stanford University’s Executive Program for small businesses, and Harvard Business School CEO program.