Mr. Klump founded Argonne in 2003 and leads its investment and capital raising activities. Prior to the formation of Argonne, Mr. Klump served as Vice Chairman of Equity Investment Group (“EIG”), a leading private real estate investment trust that serves the neighborhood shopping center market. Mr. Klump co-founded EIG in 1993 and guided it through approximately 120 acquisitions over a 9-year period. By 2002, EIG boasted a portfolio containing nearly 17 million square feet in 32 states and valued at approximately $850 million. Mr. Klump continues to serve in an advisory capacity to EIG. Mr. Klump’s experience prior to EIG included all phases of real estate development, acquisition, leasing, and financing with Leo Eisenberg & Company, as well as real estate principal investing with MAK Investments, Inc. Mr. Klump received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado in 1987.

Mr. Jaeger joined Argonne in 2004 and in his role as Vice Chairman focuses on all investment activities as well as investor relations, and is responsible for assisting in overseeing the operations of the firm and its portfolio companies.

Prior to Argonne, Mr. Jaeger spent 15 years in the lending industry in various roles at GE Capital, NationsCredit, and Wachovia leading senior and mezzanine debt financings, as well as equity co-investments, in multiple industry sectors.

Mr. Jaeger received his BS in Finance from The Ohio State University and his MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.

Mr. Weimar is the President of Argonne Capital Group, a closely-held private investment firm based in Atlanta, GA.  Since its founding in 2003, Argonne Capital has invested over $1.3 billion of equity capital in some of the nation’s most recognizable brands, including IHOP, Applebee’s, Planet Fitness and John Deere.

Prior to joining Argonne in 2012, Mr. Weimar was an associate at Arcapita Inc., a global private equity firm.  Mr. Weimar was previously in the Leveraged Finance group at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Mr. Weimar graduated from Vanderbilt University, earning a BA in Economics.

Ben Ghriskey joined Argonne in 2023 to lead business development and investor relations.  Prior to Argonne, Ben was a partner and head of the Investor Relations Group at Fir Tree Partners, a New York based private investment firm that invests in public and private companies, real estate and sovereign debt.  Ben began his career at Morgan Stanley Asset Management after earning a Bachelor of Science at Vanderbilt University in 1997. 

Ms. Shah joined Argonne Capital Group in August 2022 as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Compliance Officer. Her current responsibilities are overseeing the financial functions of the company including administration of the funds, quarterly valuations, accounting and treasury. She is also responsible for various compliance functions. Prior to joining Argonne, Ms. Shah was a Vice President of Fund Administration with State Street Bank in their Alternatives Division where she oversaw fund administration for several real asset funds and was responsible for their close process and financial statement reporting. Prior to that Ms. Shah worked with Aprio LLP (f/k/a Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP) as an Audit Senior Manager and was responsible for overseeing and managing the audits for several clients in the real estate, hospitality, insurance, service and manufacturing industries.

Ms. Shah is a Certified Public Accountant. She is also a Chartered Accountant (inactive) from India and has earned her Bachelor’s in Accounting and Finance from the University of Mumbai, India.

Mr. Anderson concentrates on new acquisitions and portfolio management. Prior to joining Argonne, Mr. Anderson was a financial analyst for RCG Ventures, assisting with all acquisitions, dispositions, and re-financings. Before joining RCG he served as a financial analyst for CB Richard Ellis’ Capital Markets group and as an underwriter for RBC Bank. While at CBRE, Mr. Anderson performed due diligence and underwriting on retail, hospitality, office, industrial, multi-family, and mixed-use real estate assets throughout the country and the Caribbean. He assisted in obtaining over $750 million in debt/equity financings. Mr. Anderson graduated from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business with a B.A. in Real Estate and Management Information Systems in 2004.

Mr. Wyche joined Argonne in 2019 and is focused on sourcing and executing new acquisition opportunities, in addition to providing support for the management of Argonne’s existing portfolio. Prior to joining Argonne, Mr. Wyche spent four years at The Halifax Group, a middle-market private equity firm focused on buyouts in the Health & Wellness, Outsourced Business Services, Franchising, and Infrastructure sectors. Mr. Wyche previously spent 3 years at Roark Capital Group , a middle-market private equity firm focused on consumer, business service and environmental service companies, with a specialization in franchised and multi-unit business models in the retail, restaurant, and consumer services, and business services sectors.

Mr. Wyche earned a BBA in Economics from The University of Georgia and an MBA from The Kenan-Flagler Business School at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. While at Kenan-Flagler, Mr. Wyche served as an investment professional on the UNC Kenan-Flagler Private Equity Fund.

Mr. Brister joined Argonne in 2019 and is focused on new acquisitions and portfolio management. Prior to joining Argonne, Mr. Brister was an Associate with VRA Partners, a sell-side M&A advisory firm. During his three years at VRA, Mr. Brister assisted with all aspects of M&A transactions for middle-market industrial, technology, service and consumer businesses.

Mr. Brister graduated from Washington and Lee University’s Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics, earning and B.S. in Business Administration, in 2016.

Mr. Bowers joined Argonne in 2022 and is focused on new acquisitions and portfolio management. Prior to joining Argonne, Mr. Bowers was an Associate at Tucker, Midis & Owen, an Atlanta-based M&A advisory firm. During his time at TMO, Mr. Bowers assisted with all aspects of M&A transactions for middle-market consumer, financial services and industrial businesses.

Mr. Bowers received a B.A. in Economics & Spanish from Hampden-Sydney College, and an M.S. in Commerce, with a concentration in finance, from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia.

Mr. Frank joined Argonne in 2023 and is focused on new acquisitions and portfolio management. Prior to joining Argonne, Mr. Frank was an Analyst at Boxwood Partners, a Jupiter-based M&A advisory firm. During his tenure at Boxwood, Mr. Frank assisted with all aspects of M&A transactions for middle-market consumer, industrial, and franchised businesses.

Mr. Frank graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia where he received a B.A. in Economics & Statistics.

Mr. Baltes joined Argonne Capital Group in 2024 as a Senior Operating Partner and serves as an advisor and Board Member for each of Argonne’s restaurant companies. He has over 30 years of executive and multi-unit experience in the restaurant industry.

Before joining Argonne, Kelly built his career as a results-orientated operator and held significant leadership roles at Darden Restaurants, including Senior Vice President of Operations for Olive Garden and Executive Vice President of Operations for Red Lobster. He also led Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen as Chairman and CEO, overseeing brand repositioning while delivering substantial growth and impressive financial results. Additionally, Kelly has held President and CEO positions at other iconic and growth brands: Maggiano’s Little Italy and Crisp & Green.

Kelly earned his Executive MBA from the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University and was later named as one of the school’s “40/40” which recognized him as one of the top 40 graduates in the first 40 years.

Ben Nemo joined Argonne Capital Group in 2017 and serves as a Board Member for On the Border and National Fitness Partners. He has 20 years of multi-unit industry experience and
advises on marketing and strategic initiatives across the Argonne portfolio. Prior to Argonne, Ben was Industry Manager, Restaurants for Facebook, Inc. where he helped grow annual team revenue from $5 million to over $220 million during his six-year tenure. He previously held several leadership roles in the restaurant and hospitality industry, including leading the “Louisiana Fast” brand repositioning for Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (2008-2011), creating a full- service brand strategy for Marriott International (2006-2007) and directing brand and product innovation during the sales turnaround for Burger King Corporation (2001-2006). Ben spent the first part of his career as an investment banker at Bear Stearns in New York and São Paulo.

Ben received his MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and his BA in Economics and Spanish from Duke University.

Mr. Wood joined Argonne in 2022 and provides support and strategic planning with a focus on real estate and franchise operations across the Argonne portfolio. Mr. Wood previously served as Chief Real Estate Officer at multiple Argonne brands. Prior to affiliation with Argonne, Mr. Wood focused on the retail shopping center sector and spent 21 years at New York based Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (NYSE: BRX) where he served on the executive team as EVP Redevelopment, providing strategic planning and guiding redevelopment and development programs across the national portfolio.

Ms. Andersen joined Argonne Capital Group in October 2023 as Controller. Her responsibilities include financial planning, reporting, and analysis, as well as cash management and tax return coordination. Prior to joining Argonne, Ms. Andersen worked as an accounting and finance consultant, primarily focused on improving reporting and analytical capabilities in the legal, architecture, and storage facility industries. Prior to that, Ms. Andersen served as CFO at Harrison Design, a high-end residential architecture firm, and as Controller at The White Oak Group, a private equity management firm.

Ms. Andersen is a Certified Public Accountant. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business-Accounting from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 1987 and worked at Arthur Andersen until 2000.

Mr. Chen joined Argonne Capital Group in July 2024 as Fund Accounting Manager. Mr. Chen is responsible for supporting the financial reporting and fund administration operations. Prior to joining Argonne, he was an Assistant Fund Controller at Constitution Capital Partners where he was responsible for fund accounting and financial reporting of multiple Funds, both Co-Invest and Partnership. Previously, he was a Fund Accountant at IQ-EQ and worked with multiple lines of ancillary business support teams within IQ-EQ. Mr. Chen earned his M.S. and B.A. in Accounting from Queens College.

Lyssa Hoganson joined Argonne Capital Group in April 2024 as Accounting and Administrative Assistant. Ms. Hoganson works closely under Cindy Andersen, Controller. Prior to joining the Argonne Team, Ms. Hoganson worked as Lead Accounting Assistant for Cambre & Associates, LLC. Ms. Hoganson earned her B.A.s in Theater and English from Georgia College & State University.

Shelby Lyle joined Argonne Capital Group in March 2021 as Executive Assistant. Before joining the Argonne Team, Ms. Lyle worked as a Subcontractor Coordinator with NAVCO and as an Administrative Coordinator with Travel Incorporated.  A Native Atlantan, Ms. Lyle earned her B.A. in Business Management from Georgia Gwinnett College. Besides her background in business administration and marketing, Ms. Lyle has extensive skills with customer service, client need assessment and client relations.